Melaka is famous for it and locals raves about it; others are partial to it while some just find it nothing out of the ordinary. Whatever it is, the chicken rice ball so unique to Melaka, is a dish you must try for yourself to judge.
 

What set ordinary chicken rice and chicken rice balls apart is the way they are prepared. The normal chicken rice involves cooking the rice in specially prepared chicken stock which produces the fragrant “oily rice” we are served with on a plate or a bowl at chicken rice shops. The chicken rice balls in Melaka on the other hand are prepared the same way but with a small difference – the chicken rice is mould into a ball shape (size of a golf ball).
 

While many restaurants in Melaka had evolved from traditionally shaping the rice balls with hands to using customized machines, Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball Restaurant stuck with the tradition way of preparing the Melaka specialty. And of course plastic gloves are used for hygienic purposes.

We were there for a snack and were glad that we stumbled upon the shop. The shop is clean and spacious, the employees extremely courteous even taking the time to explain that the Chicken Rice Ball Set that we ordered each is economy size which is meant for children (5 rice balls with a small portion of roast chicken). It was alright because we were just feeling peckish LOL. The Cencaluk Omelette looked great so we ordered that too.
 

There’s no way i can compare because this is my very first time eating chicken rice balls but i liked it. Perhaps it’s because the rice is rolled into a ball that the texture is slightly sticky and moist, making it more flavorful. There are conflicting opinion regarding this, some likes it sticky and some not but i guess it’s to each his own.

The roast chicken was definitely juicy, piquant and richly seasoned. I wished i had room for more.

I’m also making a mental note to try other Nyonya dishes that they offer here at Ee Ji Ban because the Cincaluk Omelette was pretty good.

Note: It is a little pricey eating here and the portion isn’t very big. Besides the economy set you can order chicken rice balls in 5-pieces (RM3.80) or 10-pieces (RM6.00) with your choice of chicken (half bird: RM16.00, whole bird: RM32.00), roasted or steamed.
 
 

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Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball
275 Jalan Melaka Raya 3,
Taman Melaka Raya,
Melaka 75000

Business Hours: Open daily from 9am to 8pm except Thursdays.