Street food
Chicken rice balls, cendol and fresh juices.
William Cho — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Philip Mallis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Philip Mallis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Philip Mallis — CC BY-SA 2.0
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening Jonker Street closes to cars and turns into a crowded night market running the length of the old street, with stalls of food, sweets, souvenirs and trinkets among Chinese shophouses more than a century old. It is the best-known thing about a Malacca evening and draws locals and visitors alike. Food is the star: the chicken rice balls Malacca is famous for, iced cendol with Malay palm sugar, fresh juices and grills. Be careful, though: many stalls are Chinese and not halal, while halal stalls exist and are clearly signed, so ask before you buy. The market is very crowded, especially on Saturday night, and walking through it is slow, so hold children's hands and mind your wallet. By day the street stays open with antique shops, cafes and old houses, gentler and quieter for anyone wanting to take in the architecture. The market starts around six in the evening and runs until about eleven, at weekends only. It is across the river from the Red Square, over a short bridge.
Chicken rice balls, cendol and fresh juices.
Chinese facades more than a century old.
The city's liveliest evenings, at weekends.
Jalan Hang Jebat, Malacca
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