Capitol / Ah Ho Nasi Lemak Malacca • Well Loved Local Favourite 佳必多那昔罗吗亚和

Arriving in Malacca (or anywhere) looking for breakfast, I am very careful about what I eat as I have limited tummy space. 

Anyway, need to use the toilet first, so I stepped into Nasi Lemak & Minuman Ah Ho. Without buying anything, I requested permission from the lady boss to use the toilet. She reminded me to be careful as the floor was wet as they had just washed it. 

So kind and generous 🙏

After my small business, now to the more important business of breakfast. Oh, this coffee shop Ah Ho has only one stall and it was selling Chinese style nasi lemak i.e. coconut flavoured rice with sambal and assortment of side dishes. 

Walked around to see what the locals were eating. Apparently quite popular with locals though I don't know what I am getting into. 

Chinese style nasi lemak like the Malay version has coconut flavoured rice and sambal but the types of sides are different. Besides the chili and fried items like chicken, fish, and squid, the Chinese have items like hot dogs (wiener), sausage, fishball, fish cake, fish fillet, etc. 

My order. I appreciate it that the side dishes were served in separate plates rather than heaped together over the rice, mixing / messing up all the flavours. 

That plate of rice had more than my usual quota of carbs 😆

The tender steamed rice grains were loose, won't call them fluffy but they don't stick together. The smell and sweet taste of coconut milk was quite pronounced. There's also a subtle sweet pandan leaf fragrance. Not overly greasy. Nice. 

I picked chili squid because I like chili and squid, and better together.  Obligatory fried egg (but Ah Ho don't have the runny yolk type). And, a clump of fried kang kong (water spinach). They always give you fried kang kong with nasi lemak in Malacca. It is the Malaccan way. 

I like the chili squid (rehydrated dried squid). Tender soft crunchy, sweet spicy with subtle umami. Perfect when paired with the savoury sweet rice. 

The fried egg was just alright. They don't have runny eggs. 

I love the juicy fried kang kong with fried peanut and fried dried anchovies. Got mix of textures and range of flavours from umami to sweet and savoury. I'll say it's the best side for me today. I will eat nasi lemak in Malacca just to eat the fried kang kong 🤭

The fried chicken was at ambient temperature, i.e. not hot. The outside was not crisp. However, the meat was moist, tender and sweet, which was nice. 

The sambal, the sweet umami spicy type was nice and made me finished the rice unconsciously without remorse 😅

Ah Ho is not a fancy place. It's where locals have their breakfast, habitually 习惯了.

I finished everything. It's homely, comforting, quite tasty, reasonable pricing (I forgot the exact amount). Warm friendly folks, hyperlocal, clean, well kept, welcoming ambience. 

Capitol Theatre in the 1930s

Ah Ho is an institution in Malacca. Founded some 60 years ago at Capitol Theatre (now abandoned & decrepit), hence the name. Renamed Ah Ho when the founder's son (current owner) took over about 30 years ago (since 1994).

To me, when visiting a place, eating at their storied food institutions is like checking in at their museums and monuments. The food and place give me deeper insights and greater appreciation about the people, their culture and history.

Restaurant name: Nasi Lemak dan Minuman Ah Ho (Capitol Nasi Lemak)

Address: Jalan Gajah Berang, Kampung Tujuh, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia

Tel: +6012 263 7722

Hours: 7am - 2pm (Mon off)

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Ujong Pasir Nasi Lemak 👈 click

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Written by Tony Boey on 19 Dec 2024