Pork Curry and Roti Canai @ Si Hai Kitchen, Tengkera, Malacca

One of the perks in living in Malaysia, is the cross pollination of cultures. And nothing is more evident than the food we eat. So, when someone tells you that a Chinese restaurant actually serve roti canai in the morning, do take note that they may be correct!

At the back alleys of Tengkera

In a recent trip back to visit Gran, we thought of giving Si Hai a go. Already well known for its home style dishes and classic old fashion cuisine in Malacca, I was pleasantly surprised that the back alley where the kitchen is set up is another business venture by the owners. That is selling roti canai. At the back of where the restaurant is located is a make shift set up of table, chairs and the hot pan for the roti. 

Breakfast customization is underway 

The variations for roti is limited, of either classic roti canai on its own or stuffed with onions or eggs. And you can have them both if you want.  There are no variations like roti bom or tisu. Do not let this deter you though, because they are great for their curries. And it is the curries where this place shines. 

Breakfast is served. The far left is the ribs curry and the center is the sting ray.
And roti is never the same without some teh tarik

You get to have a different selection of curries you normally do not get in a mamak. The old fashion favourite in chicken curry is available but why not go the the lamb, the sting ray curry or go on the wild side the pork ribs curry. Yup, you can get pork ribs here! 

Check out the gloss

The place charges RM6 per each bowl of curry, but for good reason. You do not just get the sauce of the curry, but the actual ingredients. I had a generous portion of ribs and sting ray, which is quite expensive. A decadent breakfast indeed. However, I cannot really remember how much the roti canai costs, but it would be between RM1 to RM1.50. Some might scoff at the idea of a Chinese guy flipping flatbreads. But rest assured, maximum skill was applied there and I was impressed at this flipping skills.

The chef having some serious fun at work.

A novel idea it is, but being a simple sales gimmick? It is definitely not. The roti is good, the curry is spicy and the experience overall is simple but comforting. Si Hai is very well known to locals but its just starting to attract tourists as well. If  you have been around the corner too many times and you are tired of chicken rice and nyonya kueh, do give this place a try. The address is as follows:

219，Jalan Tengkera,75200 Melaka, Melaka

The kitchen set up.