Table of Contents
Forget all the bingsu and shaved ice desserts that have been coming in from East Asia. Malaysia has its reply ready in the form of the almighty cendol.
A simple dessert at its core, a cendol largely consists of four parts: Shaved ice, cendol jelly, santan and gula melaka.
Despite its simplicity, it is an effective thirst quencher, especially on hot afternoons. So, for Klang Valley folks, here are some of the must-try cendol spots to visit.
Kwong Wah Ais Kacang
Talk about a classic establishment, especially since this particular dessert spot has been quenching people’s thirsts since 1958.
The eatery is a classic Malaysian family-run business, with the current owner being from the third generation.
Unsurprisingly, the cendol here is just as classic, with all the necessary ingredients you would expect: Santan, gula melaka and cendol.
Sold for RM7 per bowl, Kwong Wah’s fare is the epitome of “simple is best”, with the red beans being particularly thick with flavour.
With such a flavourful treat, one can hope Kwong Wah stays open for much longer.
Rating: 4/5
Auntie Ling’s Nyonya Cendol
A mainstay in Petaling Jaya’s SS3 neighbourhood, this dessert haven can be found nestled in a hawker centre.
The fact that most customers will be seated in the vicinity of the stall hints at its popularity.
Rather interestingly, the cendol here comes served in distinct metal bowls, perhaps to keep it cooler for longer.
Priced at RM6.50 a bowl, this dessert is certain to satisfy your sweet cravings, with tantalisingly thick jelly as a welcomed bonus.
For its simplicity, Auntie Ling’s is a treasure.
Rating: 4.5/5
Auntie Peggy’s Classic Ice Kacang
That said, Auntie Peggy’s is also another old-timey stall that has seen years passed it by at the PJ Old Town hawker centre.
If you happen to be in the hawker centre, just keep an eye out for the stall with the big number 46 on its sign.
Currently priced at RM5, Auntie Peggy’s take on the treat has smooth, soft ice, which make it an easy-to-consume treat.
The lack of jelly on the writer’s order does set it back a little, however.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sistars Kitchen
It still baffles the mind how Happy Mansion, a once-sleepy area reserved for flats has now become something of a food haven.
And contributing to the feast is none other than Sistars Kitchen, a family-run establishment that rarely does not have a line snaking out the front door.
The cendol here is sold for RM6.50 a bowl, with an additional RM1 charge for extra toppings.
And when they say extra toppings, they really mean it, as the amount of jelly is deliciously plentiful.
It is a well-made dessert true and through, with soft ice and right amounts of gula melaka.
Rating: 5/5
Cendol Durian Runtuh
When it comes to Malaysians, there is always an appetite for durian and what better way to temper the heaty fruit than with cool cendol?
In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, in the shadow of Putra World Trade Centre, is a warung that combines the two.
For a price of RM14, Cendol Durian Runtuh throws in a generous number of pieces of golden yellow fruit onto your order of cendol.
While the durian kampung is indeed a treat for most, the ice used in the dessert is on the chunkier side, which does deduct several points.
So, which matters more to you? Durian or cendol?
Rating: 2.5/5
Rojak & Cendol Mustaffa
While some stalls have the privilege of being able to bloom out into a brick-and-mortar establishment, some maintain their simpler roots.
Located by the Section 17 Wet Market building, a pair of lorries can often be found parked here, with one lorry selling rojak and the other cendol.
Tables are largely non-existent here. Instead, there are some plastic chairs set up by the side of the market, which you can park your derriere on while enjoying a bowl of cold goodness.
Come wearing a singlet and shorts for extra authenticity.
Sold for a cheap RM3, the dessert falters presentation-wise, being more liquid than ice at times.
That said, it has a neat addition of corn, which adds a hint of salt to the dessert.
For an additional fee, you can also enjoy chunks of chewy pulut with your treat.
Rating: 3/5
