[Melaka] Portuguese Settlement Seafood Stall No. 7

Rating: 4 out of 5
Price range: Approximately RM20 per dish; Some dishes based on market rate
Ambience: Hawker
Style of cooking: Fusion (Portuguese-Asian cooking)
Recommended order: Crabs
Address: Portuguese Square, Jalan Daranjo, Melaka


Portuguese Settlement is a food court where different food stalls are operating in the square. There are approximately 10 stalls to choose from and majority of them serve seafood. The food is probably the only attraction in Portuguese Settlement. The famous stall in the square is stall No. 1 Sea Terrace and stall No. 10 JJ Corner. Since the queue were long at both stalls, we opt for stall No. 7. Most of the stalls have the same menu. The only difference is the cook's skills.

One of their specialty is the crabs and the above photo is the famous chili crab. The spiciness is different from most Asian cooking where it is intense and really hot. The taste is sweet-spicy, which is a fusion of Portuguese and Asian taste. The crabs are meaty and fresh. Be reminded that the price adjusted according to market price.

Do not under estimate the ordinary looking fried calamari. The batter is mixed with some spices and the squid remains crunchy and chewy after awhile.

Although the Portuguese grilled fish is their best seller, it doesn't give much impression. Although cooked in generous amount of spicy sauce, the fish is not as spicy as it looks. Nonetheless, the fish was fresh.

Taste wise, the buttered creamy scallop was good. The sauce was rich and creamy. However, the size of the scallop was disappointing.


Overall, the price of the four dishes was RM150+ including 4 rice. If you decide to visit the Portuguese Settlement, below are some of our advice:

1. Only dinner is served.
2. To avoid crowd, visit during workdays. It is always full house on the weekend.
3. Parking is available in the square for a fee of RM2. To save the parking fee, you can park outside the square. 
4. When approached by waitress/waiter, avoid all sorts of commitment. They are attached to a certain stall. Once you commit to them, you left with no choice to choose the stall you want. They start to bait customers the moment you step out of your car. The common way to brush them off is to say you already had your dinner, or your friend is already inside. 
5. The tables are fixed to the stall and they are very territorial on that. Make sure you seat at the right table of the stall you want to order from. 
6. Check the dishes price before you order. If it is stated 'market price' ask the waiter how much it cost per dish before you order. There may be slight difference of price when the bill arrives due to the weighing, don't be shock.