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Popiah at Jonker Street Melaka

Popiah at Jonker Street Melaka


Popiah
at Jonker Street Melaka

melaka-jonker-street-popiah-stall-ingredients Popiah at Jonker Street Melaka
Popiah
or Spring Rolls are quite popular through out Malaysia and this posting I am featuring is located in Jonker Street at Melaka. Operated by a lone old Chinese man with an almost run down mobile stall, he is usually found around Jonker Street in UNESCO City Melaka during weekends.

Popiah originates from the Fujian province in China and brought to this region by the migrating Chinese back in the day. This popular thin paper like crepe stuffed with an assortments of cooked meat, vegetables, egg and other ingredients is found almost everywhere in Malaysia and Singapore. Sold by stalls in coffee shops or hawkers by the roadside, they are available in either raw or deep fried and costs anywhere from RM1.30 to RM3.00 per roll. That would be US$0.37 – US$0.85. Some people have even brought this delicious dish to the shopping malls in the cities. Sisters Popiah and Just Popiah are some of the names I know off that sell popiah in the shopping malls.

melaka-jonker-street-popiah-stall-crowd Popiah at Jonker Street MelakaPopiah at Jonker Street – Crowd waiting for their order

I arrived at Jonker Street on a Friday on my way back from Singapore and while walking around exploring this beautiful street, I chanced upon a fairly large crowd gathering around this mobile hawker stall. Without any questions, I was there before you could say ‘Jack Sparrow’. Curiosity kills the cat they say so I guess it runs in my blood.

melaka-jonker-street-popiah-stall-making Popiah at Jonker Street MelakaJonker Street Popiah – Serving fresh and deep fried popiahs

The crowd must have been holiday makers as everyone seemed so impressed by the fact that this old man is making popiah in a run down mobile hawker stall. The trouble with Malaysians is, when they see something old and creaky, it must be good! Seriously, this is a habit that as been passed down generations to generations.

Anyway, the women were busy taking pictures of Uncle Popiah while other nosy tourist quickly nudged their way in to get what everyone wanted. Some even ordering more than they can finish. It’s a culture I tell you, a Malaysian or Singaporean culture. If something is good, they will try to buy the entire stall out. Taking it home for relatives and even for the neighbors 2 roads away.

melaka-jonker-street-popiah-stall-man Popiah at Jonker Street MelakaJonker Street Popiah – Uncle making one after another

I must conclude, I had my fair share of getting what everyone wanted. However it took me a long walk and then to turn back when the crown was less. I ordered just one single fresh roll to try it and the conclusion…… it was normal. Malaysians would say ‘ok only lah‘.

There are many well known popiah stalls or hawkers throughout Malaysia and I hope to bring you more of my popiah escapades in future postings.

If you have never tried a popiah, I suggest you give it a try. You can ask them to not have the chilli spread if you cannot take spicy foods. It is well worth the experience while in South East Asia.

Jonker Street is now called Jalan Hang Jebat if you should know and it in the heart of Melaka’s tourist spot. Rows of heritage buildings line the roads here with many restaurants and antique shops. This place is a popular day trip for many tourist, mostly from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

Best time to get here is around 10 in the morning where you can explore the many tourist sites and then head over to Jonker Street to finish your day there. An evening at the night markets would be a great ending for your Melaka outing.

Map to Jonker Street


View Untitled in a larger map

Popiah at Jonker Street in UNESCO site Melaka is one of the must-try food when you are visiting here. For a full introduction to the unique spring roll, you can visit the link in Wikipedia on Popiah.

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comments user
Ken Wooi

haha i ate popiah from that same uncle during my recent trip to malacca. =D

kenwooi.com

comments user
Anonymous

Melaka is one my fav local destinations that I never get tired of visiting. Love the old buildings. So much history and so much to see. The food is good too.

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Hi Ken, looks like the Uncle is quite famous. How was it?

Mei, true. Melaka or Malacca will always have that special charm. My only concern is that the new generation does not really care for culture or heritage which will result in a long term negative effect. Apparently there is much more great food that only locals know of which I intend to explore on my next visit 🙂

David

comments user
redkopite

Hey Junior,
exactly what i thought… 'ok only lah' The only thing good around that area or thereabouts is the chicken rice ball and the 'oh chien' oyster with eggs (but that's at nite).

the other thing you should really try in malacca is the pork satay. it's served with satay gravy made with pineapple. yum!

cheers!
jeff

comments user
Donna

i bought popiah from that uncle before!!!

just dropping by..

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Hi Jeff, haha 2nd home town experience eh? Anyway, even the chicken rice balls seems to be losing its touch. Bu I heard of a famous Wan Tan Mee, you heard of it? A sack.

Dolly, thanks for dropping by 🙂

David

comments user
Stephanie Ee

Ok. Your post made me hungry. =(

comments user
Wilson Ng

Is this one contains pork? I heard there's one with pork…

comments user
Chia Chien Teng

Why are all the bloggers going to Melaka and making me hungry 🙁

comments user
Malaysia Asia

xiaopei, I hope you ate something after this. 🙂

Wilson, I cannot recall but I don't think so. That must be the one in town.

Chia, heh, beats hanging around in KL I guess 🙂

David

comments user
Unknown

A chinese food not reviewed by Chinese.

It is interesting to get a different perspective about food which is not your own ethnic origins. Well done.

Admire your effort in doing a detailed recount of foods. Somehow,I lack this kind of patience in my blog.

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