Tong Bee’s cockles or ‘longkang siham’ is highly recommended for all travellers that are exploring street food in Melaka.  Although the sound of eating by the drain is not appetizing but it is a must try food when you are in Melaka.  Trust me; you will not regret the experiences of tasting the seashells with its special dipping (sweet and spicy sauce, shrimp paste, dash of lime juice and some ground peanuts).

Other shellfish are also available like snails (siput) and clams (lala). The preparation is simple, only boiled then served; therefore each shellfish is plump and juicy!

If you are not a shellfish fan, you still can experience by the drain ambiance by trying some of the blanched kangkung with bite size sotong and top with their special sauce but more spicy.  Other than sotong kangkung you can also try the rojak.  It is surprisingly unique because the tofu puffs is grilled over a charcoal grill by the drain, so the outcome is smoky and crispy and delicious when the grilled tofu socked up the sauce. Yummy-licious!

Other type of side order like the springy fish cake, ‘taukua’ and crisp ‘yau cha kuai’ (fried crullers) that are sprinkled with ground peanuts and sweet sauce.  Taste sweet, salty and spicy!

(If you are wondering where to throw the shells, well each wooden long table is fitted with a plastic bucket (complete with a cut out hole in the middle to fit the bucket) to hold the discarded shells.)

LOCATION: Tong Bee Stall, Back Alley next to Mdm King’s shopping complex, Jalan Bunga Raya, Melaka.

COST: shellfish from RM1.50 onwards / sotong kangkung from RM4.00 onwards

Mr Alex Khoo is the owner of the famous cockles by the drain (longkang siham), The Tong Bee Stall.  It has more than 40 years of  history!

**click on below thumbnail to have a larger view**