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Restoran Chung Wah - The better Chicken Rice Ball in Malacca (Melaka)

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On a previous occasion, I wrote about visiting Malacca (Melaka) and having the chicken rice balls at Hoe Kee restaurant. It was nice, but something in my gut told me it was not quite the same as the one I had previously eaten at.

I was down in Malacca again recently and this time, I found what I was looking for at Restoran Chung Wah at Jalan Hang Jebat.

Restoran Chung Wah or Chop Chung Wah is located right at a corner of a row of pre-war shop houses at the turning into Jalan Hang Jebat in Melaka. This is right opposite the OCBC Bank and across the river from the clock tower of the red Stadthuys buildings; so it isn’t hard to find. There is a hoarded off area right across it which is a building in the process of renovation/restoration. There is no signboard anywhere at eye level outside the shop. The only sign board is high on the roof, or inside the shop so it is easy to miss.

But you don’t want to miss this shop and pass it for the more famous Hoe Kee Chicken Rice restaurant in Jonker Street. I did a taste test for both in the same morning, and the one at Chung Wah is superior by far!

The Chicken Rice Balls

Both shops specialise in the Malacca specialty of rolling the flavoured rice into balls.

Hoe Kee Restaurant

A 2 person portion was 15 little balls of compacted rice. From my last visit, I found that the rice balls have shrunk in size. They are now only slightly larger than a fishball! You could fit 2 into your mouth without too much trouble at all! At about RM0.20 each, its expensive.

I found the rice nicely flavoured but too sweet. It was an artificial sweetness that did not quite sit well on my tongue and somehow, did not taste right. I liked the taste of shallots though. It made the rice fragrant.

Pink Parisian taste Rating:

Restoran Chung Wah

At Restoran Chung Wah, the rice balls are larger - about the size of ping pong balls and a 1 person portion is 5 balls. The rice has a more subtle and clear flavour which I prefer and there was no sweet taste to it. However, it did feel more oily as you can see in the picture. Each rice ball is also RM0.20 but as its bigger I feel its more worth it.

At Restoran Chung Wah, they do not serve any thick black soy sauce. I asked for it was the proprietor looked horrified that I’d want to sully the taste of his chicken rice with the soy sauce! I do like my chicken rice with the soy sauce though. But it still tastes good without.

Pink Parisian taste Rating:

The Chicken

Both restaurants serve the traditional Hainanese steamed/boiled chicken.

Hoe Kee Restaurant

The chicken at Hoe Kee was smoother on the tongue. However, much of the natural sweetness of the chicken was smothered by the sauce the chicken was served with, which tasted rather unnaturally sweet. The chilli sauce was a failure by my standards as all it tasted was salty and sweet with no hint of spiciness at all! A portion for 2 cost RM8.

Pink Parisian taste Rating:

Restoran Chung Wah

Presentation wise, the chicken at Chung Wah is a bit of a failure. The chicken was chopped into small bits so it does not look very appetising at all. The chicken did not feel as smooth as the one in Hoe Kee but I still preferred the chicken at Chung Wah because the natural taste of the chicken was not drowned out with sauce. The chicken was dressed with only a dash of sesame oil and soy sauce which brought out the taste of the chicken but did not over power it. A portion for 1 cost RM3.

The chilli sauce is lip smacking and spicy just as it should be! I loved it.

Pink Parisian taste Rating:

Overall Comparison of Hoe Kee Restaurant and Restoran Chung Wah

On an overall basis, I’d rate Restoran Chung Wah as the chicken rice ball shop to visit. Leave Hoe Kee to the hordes of tourists and to those who like quaint restaurant settings. What we want is good food and to me, its found at a traditional coffee shop - Restoran Chung Wah.

This is all about personal taste though and for me, the better chicken rice ball stall in Melaka town is at Restoran Chung Wah.

Pink Parisian rates Chung Wah Rating:

Related posts:

1. Hoe Kee Chicken Ball Rice in Melaka
2. Kai Yong Chicken Rice - Petaling Street
3. Paper wrapped chicken in Restoran Leong Ya Indah
4. Review: Claypot Chicken Rice in Pudu next to Maybank
5. Shin Kee Beef Noodles Petaling Street

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