Manis J Nyonya Restaurant
167 Jalan Bunga Raya
Kampung Jawa
Malacca
Central Malacca 75100
Malaysia
Wed - Mon: 11am - 3pm (Lunch), 6pm - 9pm (Dinner),
Closed Tue
https://www.facebook.com/manisjnyonya/
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| Cendol (MYR RM5 / SGD $1.70) |
Authentic Peranakan, Mid-Range Restaurant
(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 6
Spent about MYR RM34 / SGD $12 per person.
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Opening in September 2016, Manis J Nyonya Restaurant is an authentic Baba-Nyonya Peranakan restaurant in Malacca, Central Malacca, Malaysia, whose owners are carrying on the traditional family recipes. The relatively small place has, in recent years, become known for its family-style dining and upper mid-range restaurant experience, suitable for impressing business partners, dates, or fussy parents-in-law.
Ambience at Manis J Nyonya Restaurant feels like a family home, with a touch of glamour and opulence. Brightly lit and richly decorated, with vibrant hues of yellow, green, red, and white, the closely packed seating area is neatly arrayed with elegant marble-topped tables and sturdy dark wooden chairs. Near the entrance, which has coloured stained-glass windows, stands a shelf of batik print handiworks. There is a refined, sophisticated air here.
Service at Manis J Nyonya Restaurant rivals that of other fine-dining restaurant establishments. Staff are courteous and professional, for example, 2 servers come to serve orders tableside; one bearing all the dishes, the other assisting to set and arrange the plates on your table. The floor manager and owner displays intimate product knowledge of the menu, although her staff could improve in this area. Staff work efficiently at cleaning up when diners leave, and at fulfilling requests. There is a standard procedure to their service; things get done in an orderly, structured manner; a slight detriment to customers because staff sometimes overrides your decision.
Food at Manis J Nyonya Restaurant is authentic Peranakan cuisine, made with recipes handed down through the family. That said, the primary flavours are spot on, with some distinct nuances that arise from the family cooking methods. Hearty and delicious, portions are sized for communal group dining of at least 2 - 3 people. Prices are more expensive than other Peranakan restaurants in the city however, setting them apart as a mid-range place. Budget about MYR RM34 / SGD $12 per person for a meal here.
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| Manis J Nyonya Restaurant Exterior |
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| Manis J Nyonya Restaurant Interior |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Seating |
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| Counter |
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| Wash Basin Area |
The Chinese Tea (MYR RM2.80 / SGD $0.90) here is fairly weak, I'll rather order some other beverage.
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| Tea (MYR RM2.80 / SGD $0.90) |
The Sambal Belacan (MYR RM3 / SGD $1) is properly sharp fiery spicy sour with a dash of lime juice. This is handmade, and pairs well with most any dish here, even the tidbits.
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| Sambal Belacan (MYR RM3 / SGD $1) |
The Lentil Crackers (MYR RM3 / SGD $1) are proactively served after you order, but being chargeable, you can choose to refuse it. I would not recommend turning it away, as the crisp crunchy lentil crackers are addictively yummy, with a delicate earthy sweet flavour, and tide you over while waiting for the dishes. I wanted more of this!
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| Lentil Crackers (MYR RM3 / SGD $1) |
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| Lentil Crackers |
The Nasi / White Rice (MYR RM1.80 / SGD $0.60) is fragrant and light, with a delicate grainy flavour, pairing well with most dishes here.
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| Nasi / White Rice (MYR RM1.80 / SGD $0.60) |
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| Nasi / White Rice |
The Kuih Pie Tee (MYR RM6 / SGD $2) features a crisp top hat pastry shell, generously filled with moist and tender stewed Chinese turnips, carrots, egg, and prawns, all finely sliced, then topped with crushed peanuts, chili, and parsley. Bite into it with a satisfying crunch, and the warm vegetal sweet savoury earthy spicy flavours coat the palate.
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| Kuih Pie Tee (MYR RM6 / SGD $2) |
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| Kuih Pie Tee |
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| Kuih Pie Tee |
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| Kuih Pie Tee |
The Telur Chinchalok / Egg Omelette With Fermented Shrimp Sauce (MYR RM17 / SGD $5.60) has a nicely fluffy soft egg omelette, but the chinchalok / fermented shrimp sauce was rather muted in this rendition. Wish the sauce had more pungent savoury spice flavours, to complement the eggy sweet taste.
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| Telur Chinchalok / Egg Omelette With Fermented Shrimp Sauce (MYR RM17 / SGD $5.60) |
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| Telur Chinchalok / Egg Omelette With Fermented Shrimp Sauce |
The Ayam Buah Keluak / Chicken Pangium Edule (MYR RM33 / SGD $11) has a deep, intense, earthy savoury sweet spicy flavour, from the stewed mixture of chicken, buah keluak / pangium edule seeds, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots, galangal, candlenut, tamarind paste, water, chicken stock, salt, sugar, dried shrimp paste, and chili. The chicken itself has a tender, moist texture, with the chicken meat coming easily off the bone. A Buah Keluak Fork is presented for you to dig the mashed buah keluak / pangium edule seed paste out from the shell. This has a creamy texture, with a strong earthy sweet flavour. It's more tasty than other versions elsewhere.
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| Ayam Buah Keluak / Chicken Pangium Edule (MYR RM33 / SGD $11) |
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| Ayam Buah Keluak / Chicken Pangium Edule |
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| Buah Keluak Fork |
The Ikan Cili Garam / Fried Fish With Chili Paste (MYR RM50 / SGD $16.50) features a whole, deep-fried barramundi fish, coated in a gravy of fresh red chili, shallots, salt, and vegetable oil. The fiery spicy chili complements the natural sweet savoury flavour of the tender, moist, flaky barramundi fish. The fish meat comes off easily from the bones, and it's easy to portion out, while the fish skin has a light crisp texture and a bold salty flavour that makes you want more. I notice nearly every table ordered this signature dish.
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| Ikan Cili Garam / Fried Fish With Chili Paste (MYR RM50 / SGD $16.50) |
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| Ikan Cili Garam / Fried Fish With Chili Paste |
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| Ikan Cili Garam / Fried Fish With Chili Paste |
The Cendol (MYR RM5 / SGD $1.70) differs in presentation, because the ingredients are on top, and it's not drowned in coconut milk. The pandan / screwpine leaf infused jelly noodles, red beans, and gula melaka / palm sugar sink nicely into the crushed ice, and the layered flavours of earthy sweet floral are balanced. Good!
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| Cendol (MYR RM5 / SGD $1.70) |
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| Cendol |
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CONVERSATION