Asam Pedas

Melaka is famous for its Asam Pedas, a local dish of unknown origin (please comment). The hotter or the sourer the better. It had not been in my list untill I migrated to Melaka. Most local I met say all commercially available Asam Pedas no longer Ori. So we are very unfortunate not be able to taste the Ori eventhough I prefer "Buy yang Ori". Unless........ you know someone of old age good at cooking the Real Asam Pedas. Marrying the local cannot guarantee you the priviledge either.

Anyhow, "tiada rotan, akarpun jadi". I have tasted few known for their Asam Pedas. Some say the best in town, some simply say.... "kau belum cuba yang satu lagi... :)". Personally speaking, if you come all the way just to eat Asam Pedas I would recommend any 2 of these spots.

One is located near Straits Meridian Hotel along Melaka Muar or AMJ Highway, just right after State Mosque on the left if you were driving from Alor Gajah. If you were from Muar, make a U-Turn under the flyover just in front of the State Mosque. There is an Apple Burger Restaurant next to the Hotel also serving Asam Pedas. But you should take the one located just futher up next to Apple Burger. Take the small side road just next to Apple Burger. It's more Gerai than a restaurant selling flying Roti Canai (Roti Canai Terbang) as well.

My favourite is always Ikan Parang (yang banyak tulang). I dont know what Oreng Putih call "tulang ikan". Fish bone is not the right word to describe Tulang Ikan Parang yang terlampau banyak.... :). Always ask for a side dish like ULAM (raw vegitable or herbs), sambal belacan and petai is a must for me. Pricewise? Reasonably graded and it's value for money.

While waiting for your Asam Pedas you can relex and enjoy a free show of Flying Roti Canai. You will be amused on how they twist and turn the Indian Origin Roti Canai flying like an UFO without dropping it down. They are very Profesional indeed. Some already appeared in International Competitions worldwide!!

This Gerai opens daily except for special known to the owner only. The also close when you go there, all lights are off and nobody there except you and the geng.....hahahahahaha. They operate after Maghrib until nobody would come or when all Lauk tinggal tulang. I have stayed in Melaka almost 2 years and yet never seen the owner who is rarely smile, dark skin, nicely built body wearing White Kopiah standing or walking except sitting on his chair issuing bills and change for customers. But nice guy for a small chat (dont think he knows Yahoo Messenger ever exist..), an expensive smile for you to snap on with your new Nokia. If you use Nokia....

The next spot will be Asam Pedas @ "Perhentian Kueh Kampung". Since Banda Hilir roads mostly one way, one can get lost easily. This one located at or closes to the intersection of Lorong Bukit Senjuang and Jalan Ujong Pasir. Best way is to open Google Map and search for "Jalan Ujong Pasir". This Asam Pedas is not for dinner. It opens in the morning but you can only order Asam Pedar during lunch time until 3 to 4 pm. Sometimes it finishes at 2pm, so you can see how popular they are. Pricewise it is on the high side. But if you drive expensive car, why you bother for that extra ringgit. It is even cheaper than driving around looking for next Asam Pedas. Tourist always carry more cash than local. During peak holiday seasons, you will be lucky to get a seat. So please bring along your tikar mengkuag or beach mat.

The recipe is actually owned by the father who recently decided to pass down to his son(s). Unlike Coca-Cola they may not have a written secret but I believe simply by showing how to cook and what to add at the right time, the successor may not get 100% perfect. A slight different in taste is noticeable. Maybe they use different brand of Cooking Gas :). People do change so does the food. Not to worry much, these two places are the best. The rest are glamourous only.