I just came back from a Melaka trip with 11 other people. It was great fun and just before we came back, a detour to eat chicken rice balls in Jonker Street was made. The most established chicken rice ball shop in Melaka is Chung Wah. I was there last year and it was good.
This time we headed to a different outlet – Hoe Kee Chicken Rice. We were there for lunch just now and the unique selling point of this chicken rice ball establishment is their Asam Fish Head.
The aroma of the Asam Fish Head wafted out to Jonker Street and it was pleasing to my olfactory senses.
Wah, got accolades from Astro AEC some more:
Anyway, like most other chicken rice ball establishments in Melaka, they have a disclaimer saying that loose chicken rice will be served together with rice balls on weekends and public holidays due to demand exceeding supply.
However, one amazing thing about this outlet is the sheer speed at which they process your order. We had a room to ourselves due to our large party of 12. We initially ordered 1 whole chicken and 1 Asam Fish Head with two big plates of loose chicken rice and two of chicken rice balls (we added on another plate of chicken rice and 1/2 a chicken after that).
As soon as we ordered, I was about to walk out of the room when the dishes started coming in – all at once! It’s as if they’ve already read your mind and prepared the food before you step into the restaurant. Jesus, if McDonald’s/KFC/Burger King is considered fast service restaurants, I don’t know what to call this.
The chicken wasn’t anything to write home about. I’ve noticed something about Melaka chicken rice ball outlets – it’s not their chicken that’s good but the glutinous chicken rice balls that makes everything taste awesome. However, it is pretty decent, it’s just that the chicken is a bit anorexic (with a thin layer of skin) compared to the hormone boosted chicken-on-steroids I’m used to having here.
However, the Asam Fish Head really takes the cake. Everyone loved it and we even considered ordering a second helping. The gravy is thick and flavorful, without being overtly spicy, and the hints of spices tempered with the okra is a lesson in perfection. The fish does not have any pesky bones and is tender and juicy. The sauce was a big hit!
I would recommend Chung Wah if you want an authentic taste of one of the oldest chicken rice ball shops in Melaka but if you’re looking for something beyond the ordinary, check out Hoe Kee Chicken Rice – it has that zing/oomph/whatever-you-call-it factor due to their house specialty – the Asam Fish Head.
Hoe Kee Hainam Chicken Rice is located at Jonker Street in Melaka. Lunch for 12 of us, inclusive of drinks, came up to RM 151.50, which is pretty reasonable.
The assam fish looks nice. 🙂
chung wah nicer but always full
had some chiken and rice last night. dont worry.. the stir fried rice was great… but i dont think any chickens were harmed unless they walked though the broth… but i am not bitchin… well, yes I am. some rice was good. it is eaisier to put on than take off… need to drop a few lbs any way ( well… more like 80 lbs lets be honest… almost a whole other person…. been on this 1500 cal per day thing. that is not much as opposed to 3200. ( why is there slober all over the pillows… I was dreaming of roast chicken and gravy, I guess…)
Gotta agree with you that the Melaka Chicken rice balls, it’s the balls that is good, not the chicken ;p
jfook: Yeah! It is, huge hit, everyone liked it. The Asam Fish Head is awesome. 🙂
Mark: Chung Wah is said by some to be more “authentic” but this place ranks up there too…and it has great Asam Fish Head. 🙂
tom: Chicken is always good. Yeah, I know what you mean, it’s too easy to gain weight and too hard to get it off.
Take care and be well, my friend! 🙂
chefmel: Yup, it’s all about the balls. =D
The chicken is a bit on the skinny side. Not enough hormones or something. 😉
How co-incidental that u were in Melaka…I have been thinking of a self-drive up over a weekend (after CNY probably when the custom jams aren’t so bad)just to have some chicken rice balls. I ate at the Assam fish head stall and man, you are right, it was THAT good. We had ordered 1 fish head and because it was so delicious, we decided to have another…and guess what, sold out at 3pm. 😀
Wah I am getting hungry in the mid night with the asam fish!
sure will heading thre if im in melaka but for the assam fish…looks tasty…
wah, thanks for this write-up, comes in useful. Will be visiting Malacca during CNY. Might pop by Hoe Kee for some fish head curry…. yum yum.
I ate there before and wasn’t uber-impressed I must say – but we didn’t try the assam fish dunno why.
I like Melaka, the antiques shops are always full of interesting stuff, but you really have to bargain hard if you want a decent price.
Yah I much prefer Hoe Kee and the Asam fish is really good.
I just find chicken rice balls generally overrated, it’s a novelty thing – there are much better original hainan chicken rice places in KL.
HB, I enjoyed reading your entry on the local food you eaten in your homeland. This fish head dish sure looke yummy. Now to google to find recipe for it. Yes chicken not so meaty this one.
HB, I enjoyed reading your entry on the local food you eaten in your homeland. This fish head dish sure looke yummy. Now to google to find recipe for it. Yes chicken not so meaty this one.
HB, you wrote chicken was anorexic looking. I was in Beijing and went to their KFC order a bucket of fried chicken it turn out only half bucket due small less meat chicken. In state it bigger and fill all the way to top of bucket
Funny Beijing KFC chicken are not salty or greasey just right.
you’re very lucky to have so many close friends.
was thr same day as u just earlier. . .Hoe Kee sux and I hv yet to taste Chung Hwa due to the blardy Q . *&%^#$@#!.
I dont really like to Q for food. The chendoi opposite Hoe Kee . . .is nom nom. . . .
Used to get those from an old man on a bicycle along the Green Road shops in Kuching. Nice! You’re supposed to take the balls in your hands…and bite into them….bit by bit…savouring each mouthful… Oops!!! Am I giving some you mental images? Hahahahahaha!!!! To cut a long story short, they’re not supposed to be eaten using fork and spoon… LOL!!!
The Slog: A lot of people I know was in Melaka that weekend. Visit Melaka weekend. Heh!
Yeah, I haven’t tried this stall before – first time too, but have heard a lot of good things about it – the Asam Fish Head is great eh? 🙂
TianChad: Yeah, very good stuff that one – goes surprisingly well with chicken rice. 🙂
ah nel: Yup, this is one of the more famous places too with an added bonus of serving Asam Fish Head. 🙂
Magnolia: Hmm…I would imagine it would be closed during CNY but I could be wrong – back in my hometown, most Chinese eating establishments shut down for CNY or charge extorbitant prices. 🙂
Have fun in Melaka! 🙂
julian: Indeed! My bargaining failed too – wanted this huge lighter for RM 10 (less RM 5) and tried the walking away trick. Didn’t get me anywhere, no one called me back. Haha!
Hmm…this Asam Fish Head was a huge hit with everyone, to each his own I guess! 🙂
ShaolinTiger: Yup, agree with that, we even have one just in Kelana Jaya! Awesome, tender and plump chickens with lots of skin too. However, the Asam Fish Head is pretty good. 🙂
Erica: Ya, don’t know what’s wrong with the chickens in Melaka – they look minute compared to the ones in KL. Not enough hormones in their feed, I wager. 😉
Vickie: Interesting! China chickens are smaller too eh? The ones over here for KFC is comparatively smaller than the ones in Australia as well. 🙂
WEEN: It was a group outing, a lot of fun but you have to travel in a convoy of cars. 🙂
foodcrazee: Yeah, the queue at Chung Wah is insane! People queue under the hot Melaka sun for ages – tried that last time I was there, pretty good, “original Melaka chicken rice”.
We had the cendol too – both shops, one at night and the other in the morning. 🙂
suituapui: Interesting! That’s new to me – I didn’t know they sell chicken rice balls in Kuching. Haha! How big are they?
Small bite-sized balls like Melaka or huge ones like the one you describe?
It sounds delicious. 🙂
I miss eating Malacca Chicken Rice Balls T__T
A little overrated with these Melaka balls. But definitely this version of chicken rice is above average. And chung wah has my vote too. damn…i shd have ordered Hoo Kee’s assam fish head too…it looks so damn yummy
ahlost: Yeah, it is pretty good stuff if you dip the balls into the garlic chilli sauce or soy sauce when you eat the chicken. 🙂
Charles: Yup, it’s the balls that is the USP. Chung Wah has the more original version while Hoe Kee’s Asam Fish Head is awesome! Has its merits too. 🙂
Man, you should have claimed you had a nervous breakdown whilst consuming the chicken rice balls and get some nice um…forget it. T_T Trust me, I’ve overheard some pretty hillarious breakdown stories over the years. LOL.
all them balls are now machine manufactured. see the perfect spheres.. i kinda miss the roll-by-hand ones.. talk about ‘Kar Liao'(add flavour) no wonder taste better last time hor? LOL
Cheers: Eh? I’m totally not getting you mate. Haha!
Breakdown stories? What happened? 🙂
cumidanciki: Haha! Yeah, I imagine hand rolled ones would taste better. I saw the Chung Wah place roll it by hand. Honest, got photographic proof (link on top of the post) from the previous time I went to Melaka. 🙂
Not sure about Hoe Kee though, whether they use machines or good ol fashioned elbow grease. 😉
nice!
jg: Yup, it’s very good stuff. I love the Asam Fish Head. 🙂
chicken rice balls… so yummy but I still haven’t tried it before! *shrugs* 🙁
I’m so hungry now..!! Argh…
Cheryl: Oh, you should. It’s really good stuff – different from loose chicken rice. A trip to Melaka is in store! =D
Eriku: Yeah me too, had a huge dinner last night but no breakfast. :S
ooh i need to make my way to malacca soon, have not been there for sometime.
eiling: Yeah, Melaka is actually a very nice place. Lots of people from KL and Singapore during the weekends. 🙂
there is another shop that sells chicken rice ball which is way more cheaper than this….8 of us ate with the cost bout RM 50 only. it’s located in melaka baru opposite of wilson chicken rice.
elwin: Nice! I shall go and look for it next time. Melaka is just nice as a place to go to – not as far as Penang, perfect for a weekend trip. Cheers! 🙂
LOL, next time got chance , i belanja you yamcha.. 🙂
Eriku: Heh! Okay, deal! 🙂
HEHE ^^
Eriku: Okay see you around mate! 🙂
hey, may i ask u something.?
i am a muslim and im wondering if the hoe kee chicken rice balls stall is halal?
really appreciate ur help on this one. 🙂
tanx 🙂
diyana: Hello Diyana! 🙂
I’m pretty sure this stall is not halal. I don’t remember seeing a halal certification and from the look and feel of the place, I don’t think it is. Hope that helps!
ohh.. just had a thought of trying it tomorrow..
hehe, thank you so much 🙂
diyana: No worries! Glad to be of help. 🙂
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I would recommend Chung Wah if you want an authentic taste of one of the oldest chicken rice ball shops in Melaka