When it comes to food in the historical town that is Melaka, there are a few items that you must never miss. Kinda like the Char Kueh Teow and Laksa in Penang, the must-eat items in Melaka are Satey Celup (video!), Chendol, Poh Piah, and of course, perhaps the most famous of all, the Chicken Rice Ball.

very old school set up, with marble table
Chung Wah restaurant (ä¸åŽèŒ¶å®¤) is one of the very first, and regarded by many, the best chicken rice ball restaurant in Melaka. It is also perhaps the most accessible one, with a paid car park just right beside the building, across from the St. Paul’s church (another must visit place in Melaka).
The place is always packed during weekends, and almost impossible to get in during festive seasons. After fighting through a small crowd to get our table, we ordered a middle portion chicken meat with 2 plates of chicken rice balls (5 balls per plate)

chicken, rice balls, and chili, we’re all set
The chicken came with only one style, white chicken, since this is a pure Hainanese restaurant, no roasted or BBQ variety. The meat was smooth and tasted rather good, with sufficient flavor in all departments. The chili that is so important to any chicken rice dish was actually very good, has a kick in it while retaining a savory pepper aroma, addictive. The main attraction, the rice balls themselves, were somehow rather cold, but otherwise tasted pretty good. It is like having Bak Chang made of chicken rice, an interesting experience if you haven’t tried it.

Chung Wah restaurant is right at the end/beginning of Jonker Walk
The meal for two was about RM 13-14, RM 8 for the chicken, and RM 1.50 for a plate of 5 rice balls.
Related Posts:
- KY eats - Melaka Street Restaurant at SS2
- KY eats - Satay Celup at Ban Lee Siang, Melaka
- KY eats - Pork Satay & Chendol at Melaka
- KY eats - Poh Piah at Jonker Street, Melaka
- KY tv - Satay Celup at Melaka (video)


By Wahlau.NET on May 23, 2007 | Reply
it is actually nice..unlike ah ma kopitiam
By Jasmine on May 23, 2007 | Reply
The chicken rice looks very special. Must try next time I went to Melaka.
By Kelvin on May 23, 2007 | Reply
the closest church is christ church across the bridge at stadhuys not st pauls church lah nabeh
By Kelvin on May 23, 2007 | Reply
and fix your buggy page problem lah
By shag on May 23, 2007 | Reply
Funny you didn’t mention the service, because it sucks. The ones down the road on Jonker St are more modern but friendlier & less crowded.
All rice balls are should come with a health warning for excessive sodium chloride content.
By v0ices on May 23, 2007 | Reply
IMO, Chicken Rice Balls are overrated.
Like you mention, they are usually cold .. and lumped together.
Like eating soggy rice. Tried it once and will never again.
By v0ices on May 23, 2007 | Reply
Yeah.. fix your buggy page man..
By ShaolinTiger on May 23, 2007 | Reply
Chicken rice balls are teh sucks.
By KY on May 23, 2007 | Reply
It is an interesting experience, but nothing to shout about, and probably a little overrated. Then again, sometimes you just have to try the “local specialty” I guess
By j3ff on May 23, 2007 | Reply
chicken rice balls are supposed to be cold, no?
and of course they are lumped together. else how to become a ball.
its just another way of eating chicken rice.
By xin on May 23, 2007 | Reply
suddenly i miss their food there…. gosh
By Noto on May 24, 2007 | Reply
oh yes~ this is in fact da best in melaka~ nv really tried other place… but then this is so far da best….
By anthraxxxx on May 24, 2007 | Reply
I almost threw a punch at one of the waiters there.
By lotsofcravings on May 24, 2007 | Reply
anywhere in kl can get?? looks like the japanese rice balls
By KY on May 24, 2007 | Reply
lotsofcravings,
none that I know of, same goes with satey celup.
By v0ices on May 24, 2007 | Reply
btw.. it’s steamed chicken.
Not ‘white’ chicken
By sc on May 25, 2007 | Reply
this is the only chicken rice shop i go to when i’m in malacca..chicken is ok, just give me the rice balls and chilli and i’ll be darn happy!
By j3ff on May 27, 2007 | Reply
wah even theStar reads your blog and takes into consideration your recommendations, although you visited the place last year
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/27/sundaymetro/17821653&sec=sundaymetro
By jH on May 27, 2007 | Reply
just found out about your website… really awesome… will be trying out a few of the places recommended on your site soon.
By KY on May 27, 2007 | Reply
j3ff,
Yeah the Star actually emailed me prior to posting that piece.