中华鸡饭 Kedai Kopi Chung Wah — Restaurant in Malacca

I had the pleasure of devouring chicken rice balls ages ago at a different joint in Melaka and let me tell you, it was mind-blowingly awesome. Naturally, I thought it'd be a genius idea to take my family to the supposedly "famous" chicken rice ball restaurant known as Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball.

We strutted in around 12:30 p.m., only to find a queue that would make you sweat. After a painfully enduring 15 minutes of waiting, we finally made it inside.

Well, the experience... it was a major letdown. The rice balls were as exciting as watching paint dry, the chicken tasted like it had lost all hope in life, and the sauce looked like it needed therapy to find its true calling. Even the chili was about as spine-tingling as a lullaby, with next to zero aroma to boot. To wash away our disappointment, we tried the barley drinks, but they were just as average as a bottled version.

I swear, I'm clueless as to why folks line up for hours on end to worship this place. I mean, if you're into settling for a mediocre chicken rice ball fix without any expectations, sure, give this joint a go—just pray there's no queue. But seriously, waiting half an hour or more just to eat here? Nah, screw this idea.

To sum it up, it's like a decent movie—watchable, but not blockbuster material—and definitely not worth the wait. You'd probably have better luck finding a chicken rice ball extravaganza at some other spot. Trust me, they exist.

Try it yourself if you...

19-Aug-24, taste this for the first time as a Malaccan. Convinced that it is an overrated chicken rice. TL;DR, just skip this place and try other chicken rice shop with better food quality, price, service, and ambience.

My first impression when reach here, no more long queue like before MCO. I just enter the shop and sit down, without anyone bother to serve me. Not feel welcoming at all, as their waiters are not friendly. Their service is so cold, you don't even feel hot in this hot weather.

Food is limited with set of chicken and rice balls. No roasted chicken, only boiled (white cut). No chicken rice, only rice balls. As I eat alone, I can only order 1 person set, which has chicken + 5 rice balls. These cost me RM17.50, what the... Can get the same food for less than half price in any other food court.

For the food taste, chicken presentation is really bad. Taste also so-so. But chicken rice balls taste ok, compact and flavorful. But I don't think it worth to try again with its unreasonable price. I also ordered hot tea. Taste blend and only sugar flavor, and cost RM2.50.

I feel that shop owner just don't bother to improve the business. The workers are unmotivated, the food is limited, and the ambience feel like the business is going bust anytime. It's a shame as this location is very strategic at the gate of...

I last tried about a year ago. For this round I waited for 15 mins and get my turn for try out the chicken rice again. The chicken is same as usual, a little over cook for me, but it is fine as its their usual cooking style. Acceptable and good soy bean sauce as usual.

The chilies sauce on the contrary is not as tasty as before. Come to the most important part of the meal... The Rice... total disaster. Needless to say the rice ball is smaller than before, but it is almost tasteless with little aroma, the texture is totally out as I am eating glue ball, or flour ball.

I believe this will be the last time for me to this restaurant in the near future. When I am leaving the shop, I can see the waiting Q is even longer. Hahaha, this might be the typical scenario, once the restaurant get famous, food quality might not be so important.... But definitely not me. I sure hope the restaurant owner can improve the quality of food, after all, the restaurant is carrying some...