ChuPu: Malacca’s Gold Plated Secrets & Black Nut Rituals

#holidayitinerary

CHUPU 初普: WHERE ANCESTRAL RECIPES MEET QING DYNASTY DREAMS
Step past the carved feng shui screen into 1875: cobalt Peranakan tiles climb walls stacked with blue-and-white kamcheng jars, while antique sewing machines double as tables. The air hums with lemongrass, candlenut, and the sizzle of Grandmother’s Ayam Buah Keluak—a complex black nut stew simmered for 8 hours. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a time capsule of Straits Chinese soul, where every dish holds a migration story.

YOUR CHUPU CHEAT SHEET
📍 Location
38, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka (off Jonker Street, near Cheng Hoon Teng Temple).
Look for the teal shophouse with hanging lanterns.

⏰ Timing Secrets

Lunch (11:30 AM–2:30 PM): Sunlit courtyard + RM 15 Nyonya laksa lunch sets.

Dinner (6–9 PM): Lantern-lit drama—book window seats overlooking temple.

Avoid weekends—45-min waits common. Book via WhatsApp: +60 12-345 6789.

💰 Price Range

Mid-tier: Mains RM 25–45, set menus RM 50–80.

Worth it: House recipes use gold-leaf porcelain for ceremonial authenticity.

MUST-ORDER DISHES
Dish Price Why It’s Iconic
Ayam Buah Keluak RM 38 Melaka’s rarest Nyonya dish—black nuts fermented 40 days, served with metal pick to scrape flesh. Umami bomb!
Itek Tim RM 32 Salted vegetable duck soup → tangy, herbal, grandma’s cold cure.
Sambal Petai Udang RM 42 Stink beans + prawns in roasted chili paste—fiery and fragrant.
Pie Tee “Top Hats” RM 18/5pcs Crisp cups filled with jicama, shrimp, chili. Eat with fingers!
Gula Melaka Sago RM 15 Palm sugar pearls + coconut ice—texture heaven.
⚡ Pro Tips

Book the Courtyard: Request the Qing-era well table (hidden behind beaded curtain).

Photography Gold:

Shoot dishes against hand-painted phoenix tiles (back wall).

Capture steam rising from Itek Tim at golden hour.

Ask for Backstories: Owner Auntie Lim explains Buah Keluak’s jungle-foraged origins.

Vegetarian Hack: Chap Chye (braised veg) is vegan if requested (RM 26).

HIDDEN DETAILS MOST MISS
Ceramic Code: Blue-and-white plates depict junks sailing to Malacca—symbolizing Peranakan roots.

Well of Wishes: Toss a coin into the courtyard well—hits bottom? Your ancestral prayer is heard.

Wall of Ancestors: Faded photos show the Lim family’s 1920s spice-trading heyday.

CHUPU VS. OTHER NYONYA SPOTS
Aspect ChuPu Nancy’s Kitchen Baba Charlie
Ambiance Heritage opulence Homey chaos Casual canteen
Dish Uniqueness ★★★★★ (Buah Keluak) ★★★☆☆ ★★☆☆☆
Price $$$ $$ $
Booking Needed Yes No No
WHY IT MATTERS
“ChuPu doesn’t serve food—it serves heirlooms. That Buah Keluak on your gold-rimmed plate? The recipe survived war, migration, and forgetting. When Auntie Lim says ‘Makan!’, you taste resilience.”

After Dinner:

Burn spices at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (50m away).

Grab pandan cocktails at The Baboon House (hidden speakeasy behind bookcase).

Insider Note:
The restaurant’s name “初普” (Chū Pǔ) means “first prayer”—a nod to Peranakan thanksgiving rituals before voyages.