[Melaka] Puri Padi Home Decor Center

The welcoming front yard of Puri Padi always attracts a second glance from passerby. After a tired walk around Jonker Street, one can be thrilled to see Puri Padi, mistakenly assume it as a spa because of the Balinese decoration.

Puri Padi (located next to Geographer Cafe at Jonker Street) is a Balinese accented home decor center cum clothing boutique. The display in the shop housed items ranging from cushions, household fittings, clothing, accessories, leather handbags, tapestries, wooden furniture, sculptures and other interior decoration items and handicrafts which are sourced from all over South East Asia.

Step into the shop and you will be transported to Ubud immediately. The serene and calm ambience separates the world in Puri Padi from the hustle and bustle human traffic outside. If you are looking for a specific decoration item for your Balinese themed house, this is the place to be. Or simply stroll along the towers of Buddha's head to find some interior design inspiration.

The prices are not as fair as what you can get in Bali, but it does make up to the shipping. It is reasonable to purchase one or two items. However, if you are remaking your entire house into a Balinese pad, it is still advisable for you to source them directly from Indonesia. Tips for those who are planning to buy two items or more, after the first purchase, you will be give a discount of RM10 for your next purchase. Don't pay the two items in a single transaction. Haggling of price is not available, unless you are getting a limited piece with huge price tag.


Note that no photography and food is allowed in the premise.


Operated in three pre-war homes, the owner have created a gem of sorts and credit must be given to  him (or her) for preserving and conserving much of the original structures of the old dilapidated home. By saving such, visitors are able to see and appreciate the wooden framework and brick wall of the past era. 

[Melaka] The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Series Talk

The Cheng Hoon Teng temple ("Temple of Green Cloud") is a Chinese temple practicing the Three Doctrinal Systems of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. It is the oldest functioning temple in Malaysia.

Venue: Cheng Hoon Teng Main Hall, Jalan Tokong 

Entrance fee: Free of charge 

Organizer: The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple committee 

18th Sept 2015 (Friday); 8:00pm - 9:30pm

Cheng Hoon Teng religious phenomena and its reflection on the political inclination of the adherents of late Ming Dynasty by Prof. Ong Seng Huat. Prof. Ong is the CEO of Xian En Culture Foundation, Professor of Beijing University Cultural Resources Research Centre, Advisor cum editor of the compilation of the Malaysia Encyclopedia (Chapter of Religions and Humanities). 

25th Sept 2015 (Friday); 8:00pm - 9:30pm

Cheng Hoon Teng's building & its decorative art works by architect Tan Yeow Wooi. Mr. Tan is a specialist in traditional Chinese architecture, cultural and historical research. He also provides architectural and cultural consultancy service in conservation and restoration of heritage buildings. 

26th Sept 2015 (Saturday); 8:00am - 10:00am and 10:30am - 12:30pm

Guided tour of Cheng Hoon Teng building & its decorative art works by Tan Yeow Wooi. Workshop of "cut and paste" (the art of Teow Chiew "chien-nian").

16th Oct 2015 (Friday); 8:00pm - 10:00pm

The collection and study of Malacca Chinese tomb-stone inscriptions by Dr. Ch'ng Khin Yong. Dr. Ch'ng involved in the study of the history of the Chinese of Malacca and Singapore since 1980s, especially in the collection and research on the epigraphic materials. He was the Assistant in-charge of the Singapore Archive. 

[Melaka] Kaya-Kaya Cafe

Rating: 4 out of 5

Price range: RM8 to RM30

Halal/Non-halal

Ambience: Cafe

Style of cooking: Western

Recommended order: Malacca Elvis Pancake, Kaya Cheese Toast & the pastas

Address: 32, Jalan Tukang Besi, 75200 Melaka  Phone number: 018-9845351

URL: https://www.facebook.com/kayakayacafelol

Business hour: 8am - 8pm (Closed every Wednesday)

Come for the food and ambience, not for the coffee. Although Kaya-kaya Cafe is rated as one of the best cafes in Melaka, there is a need of improvement for its coffee. Let's be fair, they have never brag on their coffee. Instead, the best-selling drinks are See U Again (pandan leaves + lemongrass) and Welcome to Melaka (soy milk + grass jelly + gula melaka). 


For this visit, our pick were the Kaya Cheese Toast, Carbonara Penne, and Mushroom Omelette to try out.  

The Kaya Cheese Toast is one of the popular items on the menu. Expect to see the tables around you ordering this as well. The combination of kaya and cheese blend so well together like peanut butter and jelly. As your teeth sunk into the crunchy toast, the rich and creamy kaya melts into your mouth, while the cheese gives a hint of saltiness to balance the taste. 

For breakfast, do not resist ordering the mushroom omelettes. It may look ordinary but after the first bite, it leaves you wanting for more. The mushrooms are pan seared in butter until fragrant and added onto a fluffy scrambled eggs. The velvety texture of the eggs is in between omelette and scrambled. Served with three pieces of toast of different bread and salad in caeser dressing. 

The photo of the carbonara penne doesn't do justice for its taste. It was a perfect carbonara - creamy and smooth. Cooked with chicken ham and oyster mushrooms. Recommended for those who are looking for comfort food. 

As you are sipping your coffee, you can hear the occasional sound of bells ringing from the opposite temple that creates a serene and calm environment. The best spot is at the courtyard where the natural light shines with a small garden on the side.

Kaya-Kaya Cafe is located on the next street to Jonker Street. Although the traffic is bearable, the roadside parking can be a challenge. It is suggested that you park somewhere else and take a long stroll to the cafe.