I have always liked vintage items but funny how Amcorp Mall, the one with flea market of collectibles and antiques had skipped my mind. Together with Jason, we explored this treasure land on a weekend and stopped by for lunch at Haeun Khon, a small restaurant on the third floor that deemed to serve one of the most affordable Korean food in town.Kim Chi Jjikeh (Boiled Kim Chi Soup) 韩国泡菜汤 RM15.90
Isn’t kimchi a must whenever we go for Korean food? This came in generous portion of enoki mushrooms, tofu, glass noodle, chicken and napa cabbage.
To tell the truth, I only began to accept Kim Chi after the trip to Korea due to their perfect balance between spiciness, sourness and mild burning sensation. Unlike my other friends that commented on how this is the best Kimchi they had or how the flavor stood out from others, I couldn’t feel anything but the burning sensation on my throat that was so much stronger than the spiciness and sourness I could taste from this stew of fermented vegetables soup. I stopped after a few scoops and even Jason struggled to finish this off. Side Dishes
of Kim Chi (Napa Cabbage), Dried Anchovies and Chilled Tofu with Diced Chilies
The side dishes are non-refillable which is against the norm of Korean restaurants. Still, the portion of main dish is big enough to ask for second helping of these side dishes. SamGyeTang (Korean Ginseng Chicken) 参鸡汤 RM17.90 for half chicken
Another piping hot soup in stew: Ginseng, jujube (red date) and glutinous rice beneath the spring chicken. The chicken meat was tender enough to fall off the bone by its own and I must say for that instance, this tiny restaurant was filled with none other but fragrant of these herbs. It very much resembles Chinese herbal soup. I still miss the samgyetang I had back then of thick and creamy texture of chicken broth along with a small complimentary cup of insamju (ginseng wine). Yet, one can’t complain as that would easily cost double of what Haeun Khon offers.

In contrary with what others might think of the lack-of-smile service, I find them to be more or less friendly. Perhaps it was the after peak lunch hour of our visit. Haeun Khon is definitely one of the cheaper alternatives for Korean food but I doubt if it can be crowned the best.

We have long heard of the famous Nadeje Patisserie (aka Nadeje Cake House), being pioneer in Mille Crepe and rumoured to be maintaining at its best in the industry.Opened in 2006, this patisserie has been given the name “Nadeje”, which means “Hope” in Czech, selling only one type of cake: the Mille Crepe.
Now in year 2012, it has 3 branches in Malacca (Plaza Mahkota, Mahkota Parade and Jaya 99) with a wide range of food from cake to a complete meal.

We couldn’t get the indoor seats as it was packed on weekends, which left us no choice but to settle with Al Fresco seats instead. While the weather was hot and stuffy, we were forced to face bad service due to insufficient staffs in attending the crowd’s needs.
Cakes were then ordered in front of counter, with less than friendly and slight snobbish service shown by the staff.Rum and Raisin Mille Crepe, RM9
Preserved black raisin with slight fragrance of rum. It was moderately sweet, just perfect for me.
The texture was smooth while fresh cream acts as lubricant, spreading layers in the tongue, giving out rich taste of that particular flavour as if it actually melts.

Crêpe is a very thin pancake and especially popular throughout French, with ingredients of flour, eggs, milk, butter and a pinch of salt.
As the word Mille means “Thousand” in French, together it implies many layers of thin pancakes, spread with fresh cream in between. Assembling Mille Crepe could be a tedious task which requires patience in keeping each layer perfectly symmetrical and the evenness of each layer with right amount of fresh cream.
Therefore it is of no wonder that this piece of perfection would easily reach RM9 each. Mango Yogurt Mille Crepe, RM9.50
Amazed by the rich mango flavour hidden in the jelly

Overall, the cakes at Nadeje were definitely better than those of cake counters that I’ve had at KL, with flavour hidden in crepe layers itself instead of fresh cream only.
However, I couldn’t agree more with other bloggers that the cakes were over-rated, slightly under my expectation given the verdicts and its reputation.
Furthermore, the unfriendly staffs along with cramp seating would certainly hold me back. Not to mention the stuffy hot condition in Al Fresco seating.
Even though cake quality is of main priority, the dining pleasure should not be neglected too.

Long heard and seen TV programmes on the fresh and cheap seafood served at the back alley/lane but have no idea on its exact location. The seafood, better known as the cockle stall, is located at the back alley off Jalan Bunga Raya, just somewhere around Madam’s King Departmental Store. Instead of using Madam King’s, I would prefer Kong Wah Optometrist (marked as blue pin in the map) as landmark. If you notice in my photo, the cockle stall (marked as red pin in the map) is just next to it on the right side. In other word, the back alley is between Madam King’s and Kong Wah Optometrist.Don’t worry; it’s not that dark inside if you’ve managed to find the right place.

To be honest, this is not the place of hygiene: sitting on tiny wooden stools between drains with possibility of falling down (we’ve seen Caucasian fell right from the stool), cramp seating to the extent of elbow gesture with the neighboring person, motorcycles passing by releasing exhaust gas with only inches away from bumping, and don’t expect the tar road to be clean. Cockles, RM2.00
Cockle, better known as “螄蚶” (pronounced as “si ham” in Cantonese).
It would also be referred as blood cockle or Anadara granosa, where it is cultured extensively from South Korea to Malaysia.
I usually do not fond of cockle due to its bloody appearance and fishy taste. But trust me when I say I have finally understood the Chinese saying “腥与鲜，一线之间”, which means there lies only a fine line between fishy and freshness.
Of all the cockles I’ve had before, these beg to differ with its freshness which words alone are unable to describe.Dip that with the special sauce made by mixing of few sauces (consisting flavours of sweet and spicy), topping of crushed peanut and lime juice!
The sauce goes so well with cockles, you’ll certainly go addictive!Clam/Kepah, RM2.00
Another plate of freshness.Cuttlefish with Kangkung鱿鱼蕹菜 RM7
Best cuttlefish with Kangkung I’ve had in my life! Soft yet chewy. Baked Beancurd Skin烤豆干 RM7
A mixture of baked beancurd skin with fish paste, baked tofu, and others paired with another mixture of sauce.
Another “Hallelujah”! How can food be so tasty here?Considerate enough in preparing lime water to wash away the fishy smell of cockle.

I usually do not put food rating, but this would reach 10/10!
If you are able to put the hygiene issue behind, I guarantee the food will be very much worth it.
Or perhaps in another perspective, eat it the authentic way, as this is how the local eats, 30 years ago, in the exact same place.

Truly a hidden gem in the back alley off Jalan Bunga Raya.

After the satisfying dinner of fresh seafood at the back alley, we walked along Jalan Bunga Raya for another well-known oyster omelette (蚵煎,pronounced as Oh Chien in Hokkien Language) among the locals for generations.Located in Medan Makan Boon Leong, this stall can be easily spotted with crowd constantly waiting for this delicacy. It only operates from 8pm onwards and do expect a long queue with stuffy hot weather.Each round of cooking takes around 10 minutes and can only prepare up to 6 servings.
Imagine our expression when there are more than 20 orders ahead.The lady beside will then pack according to the orders.
It will then garnish with coriander leaves, with the option of dry chilies.

We have chosen to dine in the coffee shop just next to it, hoping to have it while it is still hot.Looks delicious, but taste ok only. The oysters were small, starchy with the amount of flour being poured inside.
Dry chilies were spicy, but nothing more than that, no fragrance at all.
Skip this if you are in town, not worth the time.
Another overrated Malacca food.

Heard of the +Wondermilk cupcakes quite sometime ago, but didn't really get to try it.
Just happened to stop by its 3rd branch in Publika.
(1st branch at PJ Uptown and 2nd branch at Citta Mall)Love the pull and push door concept as it gives me this homey feel, with friendly welcome greetings from the counter staff.
Impression +1.Overdose of artsy decorations.Picked window seats for better lighting while we gazed upon the crowd going to and fro, enjoying our lazy Sunday afternoon.
Such nice ambience I don't mind spending the whole day here.Superainbow
Rainbow coloured butter cupcake with simple buttercream topping with rainbow sprinkles.Foxy Red Velvet
Delicious, flavourful & moist red cupcake made with cocoa powder and buttermilk topped with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.

Cupcake at Wondermilk costs RM4.50 each.