Melaka food tour
Centuries ago, Melaka was the "Great Entrepรดt"โa humid, high-stakes warehouse for the worldโs most coveted ingredients. The monsoon winds brought the bounty of the Moluccas Spice Islands and collision of global influences to create a flavour profile you won't find anywhere else.
This 15+ taster journey is the ultimate way to understand the city through the lens of food. Join at the riverside, soon starting the culinary engine with roti john - a local street-side invention of pillowy omelette sandwich. Alongside is asam pedas; a sour-spicy tamarind fish stew; sharp and stained red by the chilies that arrived when the Spice Route crossed the Maritime Silk Road.
At mamak eateries of the Indian-Muslim community, expect the clatter of teh tarik pulled tea, served with mutton soup, and flaky roti canai. Head next for claypot chicken rice, where the bottom is scorched to a perfect salty crunch, paired with the funky, fruit-salad chaos of rojak buah.
Slip into a Chinese kitchen to watch ham chim peng bean buns bobbing in a giant, bubbling wok of oil, before landing at a decades-old seafood eatery. Served up is lala clams in a gingery broth, salt and pepper shrimp, otak-otak fish cake steamed in coconut leaves, and skewers of chicken satay grilled over charcoal.
Stop at the Tipsy Bridge to find out why the sailors of old couldn't walk a straight line home. Before tackling spice-rubbed grilled fish, mopped up with crusty pรฃo benggali, a direct link to the Eurasian families who first dropped anchor on this coast 500 years ago.
The last stand is a refreshing spoon-dive into a bowl of cendolโa wreckage of shaved ice and green pandan jelly drenched in smoky gula melaka. The tour ends back at the Dutch Red Square, under the terracotta walls of the Stadthuys.
Why this tour is awesome
Melaka was a city built on the friction of empires, where Chinese silk was traded for Moluccan cloves. Today, that history is simmering in the pots of the city's backstreet kitchens. Itโs a global street food destination rooted in its history as once the worldโs most vital trading port. Melakaโs culinary map goes far deeper than the tourist trail, and consider our seasoned guide team as your personal fixers for the cityโs best-kept foodie hotspots.
Your guide
Hi, I'm Abdul, my friends call me Siddoz. I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur. After a chilly stint in the UK in the corporate world, I returned to my true passion - leading guests on gastronomic street eat tours in my hometown. I am a professional tour guide and certified foodie!
Your guide
I live to eat! My name is Kiranjit, my friends call me Kiran. My passion is food and I love to introduce local dishes to our guests from around the world. I'm also a psychology counsellor and a beauty queen. Proud to a mum, and to be awarded Mrs Universe Malaysia 2021 & Top Model of International 2022. I can't wait to host you.
Welcome to Melaka - the global kitchen
Local food heroes plying their craft
Flavourful meat cooked in a claypot, with tangy rojak salad
Smoky satay grilled over charcoal
Visit decades-old eateries in the heritage core
Discover Chinese, Malay, Peranakan, Indian, Portuguese and more culinary influences
Our food-obsessed hosts
Sour spicy asam pedas - Melaka in a bowl
Stroll the UNESCO riverside
Street art of Melaka
See Melaka by night
Cendol topped with gula melaka
Includes
- Price US $45 per person
- Tastings 15+ food tastings included, more than any other Melaka food tour
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Transport / Walking Walking tour with 7-8 stops
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start Time 4:30PM
- Duration Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Guide Led by one of our superb Melaka food hosts
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Meat and seafood are used in 3-4 tastings
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in over half the tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 2-3 tastings
- Pork Pork is not typically used in the tastings
- Halal Non-halal meats are used in 3-4 tastings. There is no pork, however not all vendors hold halal certification.
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Possible, though gluten is used in 2-3 tastings, and soy sauce in more tastings. Unsuitable for celiac disease.
- Lactose Intolerance Suitable for lactose intolerances, only 1-2 tastings have lactose
- Peanuts / Tree Nuts Peanuts or tree nuts are not typically used in the tastings. Possible for mild allergies only as risk of traces.
- Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Possible for mild allergies, though seafood is used in 4-5 tastings with limited alternatives
- Severe allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Melaka food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, pleaseย contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, pleaseย contact usย before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. Itโs a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best Melakaย food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
This Melaka food tour startsย in front of The Shore Shopping Gallery, at the Bunga Raya Entrance (Exit 2), next to Starbucks. It's easily reachable in the centre of Melaka. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you find transport back if you wish. More details will be sent upon booking.
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps