Restoran Baba Kaya @ Melaka in Malaysia

My accommodation in Melaka back in 2023 was ibis Melaka and I did notice a pretty instagrammable cafe then known as Restoran Baba Kaya along Malacca River that appeared to be pretty new.

Fast forward to three years later and we were back again! And this time, we found Restoran Baba Kaya still standing and it appeared to be relatively popular on social media. Given its proximity to our hotel, we decided to check it out for breakfast!

Saturday morning at about 8.45 am; we were glad to have arrived then as any later would mean a nasty wait at the outdoors, and constant prayers that it would not get too humid, and wet.

Despite the cyan exterior, the inside was relatively sparse, with mismatched scratched tables and chairs, on cement screed flooring that had worn out with time. Well, does it matter to me? Not at all since my primary interest has always been food. 

Ordering the new-school way; QR code.

Local Nanyang Coffee - starting the morning with coffee is essential and I love the one served to me; richness in the good, old Malayan coffee flavour, without being overly sweet. 

BabaKaya Signature Toast - the most iconic dish for Restoran Baba Kaya, and featured heavily in social media whether through postings, reels with its captivating home-made tri-color pandan kaya dips. 

Problem was; I literally dislike deconstructed dishes even though in this case, I was glad the toasts were already buttered. Taste wise, the dips were oily, and didn't have that prominent notes of coconut and pandan aroma, with the bright green dip being a tad too bitter. 

Some might argue this would be as natural as you can but to me, there's still a need to have some decent pandan kaya flavour, for which many other competitors at Melaka would have done a better job.

Homemade Roti Jalan - another any instagrammable dish with the rolled-up web flatbreads having this beautiful, again-cyan colored sheen! p.s. I presume the coloring is artificial but you can't deny the aesthetic enhancement. 

Came with curry chicken which had a milk rich flavour that the tough textured chicken didn't do justice to it. Acar was a bit dry but at least tasty whereas the sambal chilli was hot! I am happy with just the curry chicken and the roti jala.

Apom Balik - indicated as Malaysian's crepe, it was also explicitly mentioned on the menu that once it is ready, you would be informed and would have to proceed outside to pick up your order. First thing, you have to pull a rope nearby so that the basket as above would go up to the second level.

Honestly, this is another play for deconstructed food! I get it if I need to self-collect, self-pick-up, but I would need to do extra work to take my food? However, I do feel this was interesting and if you have family with kids, it would make for some cutesy moments.

I got Jovyn to do it since she is the youngest. Those who are too shy and/or dislike such activity can likely request for the food to be sent right to your table. 

Our basket of apom balik.

Wait, weren't these just pancakes?! 

Now, I love these kind of pancakes, and we ordered original (sugar with crushed peanuts) and coconut gula melaka (with shredded coconut, palm sugar and crushed peanuts)! 

Freshly made, these were thankfully not the biscuit-thin type that many pasar malams in Malaysia were selling. There was some texture although not extremely crisp. The crushed peanuts were so aromatic and between the two, the coconut gula melaka was better tasting; almost like eating nyonya kueh! 

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Thanks to the picking up of the apom balik, I finally noticed that there was a second floor and while my family was still finishing their food; I continued my exploration of Baba Kaya.

Upstairs were better! Seemed brighter, cleaner, less crowded and more relaxing. In addition, you do have an opportunity to dine next to the river, albeit with a better, elevated view! 

I bet kids nowadays wouldn't believe how TVs look like in the past.

Place where the apom baliks were made! Another benefit of sitting on level two? You get the delicious smell of apom baliks, and I guess you don't have to climb down the stairs and pull up the rope just to get the pancakes that were just made next to you! 

Would I be back again? Maybe. 

Address

13A, Jln. Bunga Raya, 

Melaka Tengah, 75100 Melaka, 

Malaysia

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Local Nanyang Coffee - RM 5.50

BabaKaya Signature Toast - RM 6.00

Homemade Roti Jalan - RM 13.00

Apom Balik Original - RM 5.00

Apom Balik Coconut Gula - RM 8.00

(NETT)