Melaka Shopping

This store (San Shu Gong) sells almost the same array of products as Tan Kim Hock, but they pay more attention to packaging. I bought these be-teh-so biscuits at one of their stores in the Makohta Shopping Mall (Level One). These biscuits are made from wheat flour, cooking oil, sesame, maltose, sugar, salt and onion. The outer layers of the pastry is flaky and the filling inside is sweet and sticky. Yummy!

Tan Kim Hock is one of the best places to buy local foodstuff in Malacca. In this store, you'll find plenty of choices - coffee powder, be-teh-so biscuits, cincalok (shrimp paste), etc. I bought some durian dodol (dodol is a kind of "kueh"), made of gula melaka, coconut flower water, coconut milk, glutinous rice flour..and of course, durian! The rich durian flavour and its creamy texture is fabulous!

What to pay: This packet (200 grams) cost 4.80 Ringgit, I think.

What to buy: Plenty of stuff for women to spend their money on, in Malacca! Besides those kebayas, you can also find many pretty bags for sale. These bags ooze a tropical flavour, and they are perfect for the beach and goes well with your summer dresses. Some are made from straw, others are adorned with batik trimmings. You can find them in many shops in Malacca.

What to pay: about 19 to 49 Ringgit, depends on the size of the bag and your bargaining skills!

Jonker Street is so much more fun to shop at (although there is no air-con comfort and you have to brave the sweltering humidity and heat), compared to the big shopping mall complex...you should know which one I'm referring to. You can find a huge variety of things to buy here, from exquisite Peranakan beaded shoes, Aik Cheong coffee and mee sua noodles; to clogs (see my picture), fridge magnets and T-shirts.

Featured here are T-shirts designed by local artist Charles Cham, who now lives in Budapest (go figure). Some of the designs are a little crude to my taste, but whatever 'floats your boat'.
The nicest has his best known design of the orangutan, also painted on the side wall of the shop. And there are sizes for children as well, making for nice souvenirs.
There are 3 of these shops in Old Town area. The original is on Lg Hang Jebat, the street that runs parallel and to the W. of the river.

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The Abdul Company Antique Shop is one of many antique shops available along the Melaka famous Jonker Street. But as for this shop, the owner not only having 1 shop along this street, he got 3 shops all together making him as the one that having the most antique shop branches here. It also means that he do have a lot antique goods to offer and buyers do have lots of choices. And also by coincident, a staff of mine happened to worked here before. Wide range of choices from a basic antique to huge stuffs. Prices are from as cheap as RM10 to RM$$$$ and of course by knowing my staff makes the owner put a reasonable price for myself to purchase any of the antique. If you are looking for an antique here in Jonker Street, just mail me so that I may recommend you to the owner and start bargaining for the lowest price he can offer.

What to buy: Wide good choices

What to pay: RM10 ~ RM5000.

The Orangutan House was set up in 1992 as the studio-gallery of Charles Cham after his return from France. It was one of the first artist studios in Malacca. With its unique façade, it is now a landmark and a must-see for all art lovers and tourists to Malacca.

What to buy: They have the best gift tshirts there...unlike anything you will find in a tourist shop. I got some great Year of the Dog shirts.

What to pay: Shirts were about $10 as I remember.

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If you are into arts , designs ... you would find this shop very unique and interesting . If you come from other country you might want to get something local made , all you can get its from this store . All the shirts are design from the local designers in Malaysia .

They do have their own brand called (Tribe) . They design it , they print it and they sell it . You can actually get (Tribe) brand from other state in Malaysia but it will cost more then you buy from Melaka , because as I said (Tribe) its Melaka made . They actually have wholesale too . If you want to earn extra money then you might want to get some shirt back to your country and sell it to your friends .

What to buy: Of course their local shirts and product .