Since Melaka is known for its nyonya food, is it understandable that anything with the label “nyonya” (which includes nyonya kuih and nyonya “chang/ glutinous rice dumplings are most sought-after here.
If you don’t already know, Nyonya glutinous rice dumpling is an entirely dissimilar variant to the regular Cantonese chang (or any other other rice dumplings for that matter).
It has its own distinctive flavour since it uses specific ingredients and spices.
In my opinion the addition of candied wintermelon is a must; since traditional recipes does and that’s what gave it the sweet-savoury element.
Sadly I find that it is usually omitted now. I don’t like the taste and smell myself but a bit does gives the nyonya chang its characteristic taste.
I have blogged about 4 different nyonya dumplings that I tried in the past (Link –> Baba Charlie, Sin Yong Seng, Pohpiah Lwee and Nancy’s Kitchen) and today I’m adding another 4 more to the list.
These four are “less commercialized” ones; made at home by aunties and in limited quantities. However, with sufficient heads-up, you can order up to a few hundred dumplings.
I’ve known and tried these changs (with exception of Michelle Soo’s) about a year back, but I got caught up with other postings and neglected to write about them.
Thus on this trip (Sept 2015) I have decided to re-visit all of them again to take fresh pictures and to update the taste, price and location for all of you.
Enjoy my thoughts and pictures below! 
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1. Mrs Sim Nyonya Chang (Taman Bukit Serindit)
Biggest of the 4 here. Tied with hemp/bamboo strings.
Price: RM4.3o each
Fillings: This was between Mrs Lim’s chang and Mei Xin chang. Not too sweet, big in portion with generous amount of meat and there’s a decent hint of spices in the taste.
No candied wintermelon added or we couldn’t detect it in BOTH (we bought 2 to be sure) dumplings we ate.
Rice: Soft and evenly cooked through.
BELOW: Left is Mrs Sim’s, the one which is the focus now. (Right is Mrs Lim’s – the not recommended one).
Closer shot of the fillings. It’s good!
Address: 22-A Jalan BSJ1, Taman Bukit Serindit Jaya (beside Asian Heritage Residence), 75400 Melaka.
Waze: Not on waze.
Contact: 06 – 284 3030/ 017-688 5392
Off: No off days, just call to check.
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2. Mrs Lim Nyonya Chang (Bukit Serindit Jaya)
Smallest of the 4.
Tied with red rafia strings.
Price: RM4.00
Fillings: Sweetest, a bit too sweet in fact.
No candied wintermelon added or we couldn’t detect it in BOTH (we bought 2 to be sure) dumplings we ate. Very mild spice flavour.
The ONLY nice thing to say of this chang? The meat pieces are chunkier compared to the rest.
Rice: Soft and well cooked through.
BELOW: On the right is Mrs Lim, the one being described now. (Left is as above – Mrs Sim).
BELOW: The meat were dry and stringy.
Note: She is a grumpy old lady. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Not only her chang were below par, her house is one of the most difficult one to find! I am certainly not buying anymore from her.
Address: 106E, Jalan Lim Cheng Hoon, Taman Bukit Serindit, 75400 Melaka.
Waze “Jalan Lim Cheng Hoon”. It is a long road that branches off to a right and left turning at one point. Can be confusing so do call if you can’t find it.
Contact: 06 – 284 3030/ 017-688 5392
Off: During CNY only.
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3. Kedai Kopi Mei Xin/ Mei Xin Cafe
Medium size compared to the rest.
Price: RM4.50
Fillings: My pick (2nd to Michelle’s) since it has better flavours. It’s not just one dimensionally sweet and it has strong taste of spices.
Both Sim’s and Lim’s changs has only meat (or rather the ones that I bought) while Mei Xin’s has added mushrooms and candied wintermelon.
Another positive point; Mei Sin coffeeshop is right in town.
Rice: Soft and evenly cooked through.
On a previous trip the rice texture was perfect but for this particular batch the rice was a bit mushy.
Address: Jalan Bunga Raya, opposite from The Shore and beside Renaissance Hotel.
Waze for “Mei Sin Cafe”.
Contact: NA. The coffeeshop is open daily from 7am.
Off day: To be advised. I forgot.
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4. Michelle Soo (017-6995750.)
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/Authentic-Nyonya-Chang
Price: RM5.00 (bought at her home).Check her FB page for her KL deliveries.
She makes pineapple tarts, kaya, kee chang (alkaline dumpling) and some other kuih too.
Fillings: The best among the 9 (nine) changs listed here. Generous fillings of lean pork, candied wintermelon, beanpaste (taucu) & spices.
Rice: Soft and evenly cooked through. Wonderful blue color too.
Address: Kampung house just across the road from Aunty Koh and SK Bukit Rambai.
Waze for “SK Bukit Rambai”. Once you reach the school or Aunty Koh’s stall, call her for directions to her house.
Contact: 017 699 5750
Off: No off days, just call to check.
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5. East & West Rendezvous Cafe
Medium size.
Price: RM5.00
Fillings: Generous and packed with meat, mushrooms and yes, the must-have ingredient – candied wintermelon. Sufficient scent of spices too.
Rice: Soft and evenly cooked through.
Address: 60, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka.
Waze for “East West Rendezvous”
Contact: 016-634 6283 (Grace Tan).
Off: No particular off day. Please call to check.
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5. Joo Huat Nyonya Chang Melaka
Medium size.
Price: RM5.00
Fillings: Quite horrible. Meager fillings, only meat, no mushrooms, candied wintermelon and barely any discernible spice flavour.
Rice: Too firm to the point of hard.
Other changs: Red bean (RM1.80), Kee chang (RM1.20), Bak Chang (RM5), Bak Chang with salted egg (RM6).
Address: 6, Kampung Hulu 75200 Melaka
Waze: To be updated.
Contact: 06 – 2843782. 012 – 660 0007 . Open everyday.
Off: No off days, just call to check.
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For the next 4 nyonya dumplings as below, please find the detailed review here –> http://www.rebeccasaw.com/nyonya-chang-nyonya-dumplings-in-melaka/
6. Sin Yong Seng
101, Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho
75000 Melaka
Contact: o12 – 681 5858/019 666 7588
7. Pohpiah Lwee Coffeeshop
14 Jalan Kubu
75200 Malaysia
(Near Jonker Street)
NO contact number.
8. Nancy’s Kitchen
7, Jalan Hang Lekir, Off Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,
75200, Melaka, Malaysia
Contact: +60 6-283 6099
Mon, Wed, Thus, Sun: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Fri/Sat: 11:00 am-9:00 am
Off : Tues.
9. Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake
72, Jalan Tengkera Pantai 2,
Melaka.
Phone : 06-2847209/6019-6662907
Business hour : 10am-4pm. Daily except Thursday
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CONCLUSION: My personal pick – Michelle Soo, Mei Xin cafe and Rendevous.
So, did I miss out any good nyonya chang/rice dumpling in Melaka?
Do let me know if I did via FB/Insta/email/leave me a comment.
I’ll be in Melaka in 2 weeks’ time and I’ll look for it!
PS: Recommendations of a unique, good AirBnB stays, boutique hotels, hotels needed so please share if you know of it worth checking out.