Form humble beginnings to a ‘must-have’ street food in Melaka

NEARLY a century after it began as a modest roadside popiah stall, a family-run business in the heart of Melaka is now being recognised as part of the state’s rich culinary heritage.

Featured recently featured in a tourist booklet by Bandar Hilir assemblyperson Leng Chau Yen, Bunga Raya Popiah has been passed on through generations.

 Operator Ong Chee Siong, 48, who runs the stall along Jalan Munshi Abdullah said the recognition, which also came with a certificate presented by Leng, was a proud moment for his family.

"Our popiah has now been formally credited as a local speciality and that means a lot to us.

 “What began as a small family business has grown into something people closely associate with Melaka," he said.

The stall traces its roots back almost 100 years and continues to operate using a closely guarded family recipe, making it one of the state’s longest-running street-food businesses.

Bunga Raya Popiah has in recent years attracted customers from Singapore, Thailand and China, many of whom make a point of stopping by during their visit to Melaka.

“Some customers tell us they come here specifically to taste our popiah,” he said.

Ong attributed the growing popularity to social media exposure and travel recommendations, which have turned what was once a neighbourhood stall into a recognised food destination within Melaka’s historic core.

 He added that the business had received an “A” cleanliness rating from the Melaka Historical City Council (MBMB), a milestone that enabled the family to relocate from its original roadside location at Jalan Bunga Raya to its current premises.

“With the openness and support shown by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh in promoting local heritage, I believe popiah has the potential to be promoted further,” he said.

For Ong, however, the ambition goes beyond commercial success.

“This is about preserving an ancestral livelihood and recognising the role of traditional street food in shaping Melaka’s identity.              

"When popiah is recognised, it also means recognising the people and history behind it," he said. – January 30, 2026