After numerous trips to Melaka, I finally tracked down Grace from East & West Rendezvous Café. Though her shop is in the Jonker vicinity it is off the more popular stretch of Jonker and hence the difficulty of finding it.
I had to call her personally many times for directions and was near giving up but the need to try her famous Nyonya chang (glutinous rice dumplings) kept me motivated to go on yet another circle around Jonker to find her shop. LOL!
When I finally got to her shop (which was pretty non-descriptive and that didn’t help at all) I sat down heavily in exhaustion. The Melaka traffic and heat could really get on your nerves.
Grace was quick to suggest a chendol to cool down and I couldn’t agree fast enough.
But the real reason why I’m here is for her Nyonya chang. I had blogged about 4 “famous” nyonya chang in Melaka (Read about it here –> https://www.rebeccasaw.com/nyonya-chang-nyonya-dumplings-in-melaka/) and I had remained unimpressed.
There were another 3 that I sampled on a previous trip but the pictures went missing so til I locate them I won’t be able to share them here.
But all other Nyonya chang cease to matter for now.
The one here by Grace is expensive even for KL standards at RM5.00 but it is excellent.
It is medium-sized but the contents are generous so the price is justified (for me at least it is). It very well made too, the rice is soft throughout and it was packed with meat, mushrooms and yes, the must-have ingredient – wintermelon.
I had called her earlier to place my orders for the dumplings and I would suggest to you to do the same.
Grace only makes a certain number of these each day and once it is sold out, you would have to return for it another day.
The same goes to her Nyonya kuih, which goes on a rotational basis. On the day we were there, we got to sample these 2 only – ang koo and kuih koci (RM1.00 each).
I have developed a new-found respect for Grace. She had obviously perfected the art of making these dainty, delicate but delicious kuih. From the skin to the fillings, there wasn’t anything to fault.
Let’s not forget her famous Chendol (RM3.00).
Unfortunately after all that photography the chendol had melted and thus was rather diluted by the time we dug into it.
Still we could taste the strong gula melaka (palm sugar) and we loved the fine texture of the ice.
There is a durian version as well and I look forward to trying that in my next visit.
Impressed with her nyonya chang and kuih, we figured that her pineapple tarts could be worth a shot.
We had sampled almost 10 different pineapple tarts around Melaka so we do know what we are looking for in a good pineapple tart.
You can read about the previous pineapples tarts here –> https://www.rebeccasaw.com/pineapple-tarts-in-melaka/.
It will give you a heads-up on which NOT to buy! 🙂
The round open face ones are typically made from margarine (the crust) while the rolled version (as above) are made with butter. I usually prefer the butter ones but for Grace’s I actually liked both.
The pineapple paste is slightly fibrous with real pineapple bits and it is neither too sweet or sticky. The crust is soft, crumbly and wonderfully fragrant.
Butter pineapple tarts – RM14.90. Original (open face) – RM10.90.
Seriously I think East & West Rendezvous Café deserves more recognition than the other overrated outlets in Melaka. Grace’s Nyonya chang, kuih, chendol and pineapple tarts are so much more superior and better value for money compared to many other outlets that we have tried.
Do pay East & West Rendezvous Café a visit if you’re ever in Melaka! 🙂
Directions:
Walk along the small alley between the famous “San Shu Gong” shop and Chung Wah Chicken rice. Go straight, you will pass the entrance to Hard Rock Cafe’s car park on your right and walk on till you see this Cheng Ho Museum.
East & West Rendezvous Café Melaka is right opposite it.
East & West Rendezvous
60, Lorong Hang Jebat,
75200 Melaka.
Tel.: 016-634 6283 (Grace Tan)
ooo, i wonder if my grandmother and aunts know about this place … i suspect they do, since it sounds vaguely familiar to me, and you’ve listed all the items they love to snack on … from the well-packed chang to the traditional kuih to the cendol (my grandmother’s favourite teatime treat!) 😀
Ohhh your aunt and granny might be childhood frens with Grace ! 😀
Will definitely bookmark this place since you highly recommend it. Everything looks so good too!
Thanks again for the Melaka food postings – all of your suggestions are really good so far. We had a weekend in Melaka and visited Bibik Ong, the pork satay, the yong tau fu place. All thumbs up! 🙂
Its RM6 each now.. but still well worth it..thanks for the tip!!
Hey Jojo!
Glad you liked it! I’m gonna be in Melaka this weekend, might hope in to greet her again 🙂
Hi, I am interested in learning how to drap nyonya dumpling. Any learning school in Melaka? Pls write mail to me.
Hi Rebecca,
Where can I find Bibik Ong, pork satay, Yong Tau hoo and wanton mee please?
Thanks!
Hi Liz
Could you email me [email protected] – easier to reply. Thanks!
I wonder what is the working hours ?
Hi Chi Yann
Just give Grace a call on her mobile! 🙂
I was there today. THE most expensive chang in Melaka @RM6.50 each. Taste is ‘so-so’ nothing to shout about. Cendol was frozen. Never going back there. Proprietess in bad mood i guess..not friendly or welcoming.