“Hor Chien” or “Orh Luak” (fried oyster)

“Hor Chien” or “Orh Luak” (fried oyster) is a synonymous Melaka offering to the discerning taste buds. There are many stalls offering this delicacy and frankly, only the locals would be able to tell which is a better stall to patronize for it’s texture and taste.

The fried oysters you find in Melaka is very much different then those in other states like Penang. The Melaka version would be slightly dry and crispy without the gooey rice flour when served. Sambal is used to further add an inviting aroma to the dish and topped off with a generous serving of oysters. The coriander leaves adds further good smells to the dish.

There are few locations for this great fried oyster dish of Melaka and are as follow;

(a) Jalan Bunga Raya lane

This stall have been operating through generations and they used to fry over firewood but not anymore. Previously, they had even used duck eggs instead of the normal chicken eggs which explain why they were so popular though now diners have much more choices.

(b) Jalan Bandar Hilir – Oyster 7

This hawker used to run his stall along the old esplanade before shifting to his present location on the left of the the road from Bandar Hilir heading towards Semabok, Melaka Raya and Ujong Pasir. His stall is before the Hawker Food Court in Bandar Hilir.

(c) Ujong Pasir Oyster, Jalan Kampung Pantai

This is my favorite and this aunty used to have a stall in the once famous “Moon Luck” food centre in Ujong Pasir. Since the closure, she has shifted to the corner shop along Jalan Kampung Pantai, just at the corner of Kampung Pantai bridge. The shop’s close proximity to Jonker Walk and Melaka River Walk makes this stall a “must try” fried oyster.

The servings are slightly more then the average that you have from the other stalls.

An important note, fried oysters are only sold during the night and if you want to savour the taste of this delicacy, be prepared to stay in Melaka till evening.

If you feel like staying in Melaka for more food, here is a selection of hotels you can sleep real tight and perhaps more Melaka food next morning. ;-)