Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball: My Malacca Foodie Story
Hey Buf, when I was in Malacca, there was one spot I just couldn’t miss Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball. You’ve probably heard of chicken rice before, but trust me, this place takes it to a whole new level. Instead of regular fluffy rice, they serve it as rice balls. Yup, real little balls of rice packed with flavor. It felt special, different, and honestly super fun to eat.
Hoe Kee has been around since 1962 and it’s one of the legends on Jonker Street. Locals and tourists line up outside just to get a taste. The whole vibe feels nostalgic, like you’re stepping into an old family home where food is made with tradition and love. And that’s exactly the feeling I got sitting down inside – cozy, homey, like eating at someone’s house.
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What They Sell at Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball
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Here’s what made my Tiong Bahru Bakery visit memorable:
1. The Famous Chicken Rice Balls
Their signature, of course. Soft, slightly sticky rice balls infused with chicken stock. I ordered 10 rice balls and they were perfect to share and fun to eat one by one. Definitely not your everyday chicken rice.
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2. Hainanese Chicken
The classic Hainan-style chicken – tender, juicy, with just the right touch of soy sauce and sesame oil. Pairs beautifully with the rice balls, like they were made for each other.
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3. Asam Pedas Fish
This dish honestly changed my life. I never really liked fish before, but one spoonful of that hot, tangy broth and I was hooked. The soup was refreshing yet bold, and the long beans inside were still crunchy. I found myself thinking, “Wait… do I actually like fish now?” Answer: yes.
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4. Stir-Fried Cabbage
Don’t underestimate this side dish. The cabbage wasn’t overcooked at all – it stayed crunchy and sweet, with just the right seasoning. Simple but so satisfying.
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What I Ordered and My Favorites
So here’s the lineup: 10 rice balls, Hainanese chicken, asam pedas fish, and stir-fried cabbage. Two of us ate like royalty and the bill came to just 60 ringgit. Totally worth it for the amount of food and the taste explosion.
My highlight? Definitely the asam pedas fish. It was the dish that converted me from “I don’t eat fish” to “where has this been all my life”. That’s what I call life changing, Buf.
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How to Find It
You can’t miss it – Hoe Kee is right along Jonker Street in Malacca, with a big red sign and usually a long line of hungry people waiting outside. My tip: go early in the day before the crowd builds up, so you can sit down, relax, and enjoy the full experience without the wait.
Buf, that’s my little adventure at Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball. If you’re heading to Malacca, you owe it to yourself to stop by and taste those legendary rice balls. Who knows – maybe you’ll have your own life-changing food moment like I did.
Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball location:
- Address: 468, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
