中华茶室
18, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka
Chung Wah and Hoe Kee sit almost opposite each other on Jonker Street, and the rivalry between them is as old as both shops. Most visitors end up at whichever has the shorter queue. Locals tend to lean Chung Wah for the rice: the balls are slightly more fragrant, with a cleaner chicken broth flavour that does not get lost under soy sauce.
The setup is kopitiam-style. You sit down, someone brings chicken and rice balls, you eat, you pay. No frills. The steamed chicken is tender, the chilli has bite, and the rice balls hold together without being dense. One ball is about 50 to 60 sen now. Order 6 to 8 per person plus half a chicken for two.
They open at 8:30am and close around 3pm, or whenever the chicken runs out. Weekend mornings are the busiest. If you arrive after noon, there is a real chance they have sold out. This is not a dinner option.
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The ones every guide mentions. Tourist-heavy but earned the reputation. You go because the food genuinely is that good, not because it is famous.