Yam Rice @ Shalom Cafe, Taman Malim Jaya, Malacca

Home is where the heart is and the kitchen is its center. Although this can be true in most cases, there are exceptions to the general rule. This is one of them.

The old faithful.

Most of you would have already known that I am from a family of hawkers. My maternal side runs the legendary Restoran Kok Keong for generations and has been serving yam rice and pork soup for years. My Grandpa even appeared on TV a few times. But like any other business, it is good to expand. As such, one of my aunts have decided to open a branch of her own.

The new establishment. 

Taking over a shoplot from a friend, Shalom Cafe serves the same hearty broth and carb combo that Grandpa made famous. Located in a more residential side of the city, it is not as swarmed with tourists.

Another peek from another corner. 

Locals and regulars patronise the place. It also has a more modern and contemporary feel, as it is much newer. How new? They have just celebrated its first anniversary. Not bad for a small business.

Women at work, the woman on the left is my youngest aunt. 

The establishment is manned by my aunt, her husband my uncle and a few cousins from another aunt. This is still a family run restaurant just like its origin source. And it does taste like its origin source. The exterior is more swanky and up to date. But the core still taste of home.

Breakfast of champions. 

Well, thats enough about the intro. So lets us not spend any more time and start talking about the food. And to which, was very good. Grandpa would have been proud. 

Classic wonder. 

The rice was great. Aromatic and slightly sweet, it reminded me of how Grandma would have cooked it. Chunks of taro were evident and the same secret meat sauce has been used to spike the rice. With a little garlic oil, what you get is a bowl of superb quality.

Just simple and good. 

The soup is also no second act. Strong and full bodied, it was very satisfying indeed. If you like bak kut teh, this will tick all the boxes. The flavour profile consist of mostly herbal components, with star anise and cinnamon taking center stage. The bowl if also filled with familiar goodies like fatty pork belly and innards like intestine and liver. There is a difference though, as we have in here, streaks of meat being coated in corn starch.  That is what we call bak kee, a unique hokkien meat dish.  Savoury but slightly floral, this is a real attack of the senses. And to me nostalgia, as I grew up eating this since I was 3.

Not your traditional chinese kopitiam over here. 

The thing that makes Shalom different from Grandpa's is that my uncle will whip out some cafe quality coffee. Staples like americano and cappuccino are present. The "cafe" in the name has to count for something right?

Le menu, so pick and mix if you like. 

Homely and inviting, this is a place I cannot praise enough. And this is not because of bias. The food is good and the premise inviting. Do come over if you need a porky fix sorted out. Note that they only do breakfasts and lunch. They close by 2 pm or when they run out of rice, which ever comes first. Fancy a go? The address is as follows:

No 67, Block B2, Jalan Rahmat 1,
Taman Malim Jaya, 75250 Malim Jaya, Malacca

Front of the house.