Cendol, the cold saccharine dessert was recently the talk of the town when a certain international publication accredited the delicacy to a neighbouring country instead of Malaysia.
Needless to say, Malaysians were riled-up, not only posting their discontent on their Facebook pages but also expressing their unhappiness with the news outlet’s statement.
Nonetheless, no matter what outsiders may think, Malaysians know for a fact that we indeed have the best varieties of Cendol in almost all parts of the country.
Uppre is proud to say we’ve tried some of the best and are letting you in on our culinary adventure right here, city by city.
Penang: Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Where else would you find droves of locals and tourists alike lining-up rain or (intolerable) shine for a bowl of Cendol? That’s exactly what fans of the Penang Famous Teochew Chendul do here every single day the stall is open.
The Cendol here is so famous that the dessert has been immortalised via a mural right above the stall.
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Jalan Penang,
10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Taiping: Ansari Famous Cendol
Dating back to the year 1940, Ansari Famous Cendol has been one of the pioneers of the Cendol scene in Taiping, having churned out bowl after tantalising bowl since before the nation’s Independence.
Back then, railway workers from the nearby Taiping Railway station would visit their stall to quench their thirst after working gruelling hours under the sun.
It was founded by one Abdul Kader and the business has since been passed on to the third generation of the family.
So renowned is Ansari that as the years passed, they officially added the word “Famous” to their name.
They even opened a second branch a stone’s throw away from the original stall to accommodate the high volume of customers, especially during holidays, when locals and out-of-towners come out in full force in search of their Cendol fix.
What makes this Cendol stall unique however is the addition of grilled glutinous rice cooked in a banana leaf. The crispiness of the slightly charred “pulut” perfectly complements the sweetness of the Cendol broth, and all is well in the world.
Ansari Famous Cendol
92, Jalan Barrack,
34000 Taiping, Negeri Perak
Ipoh: Cendol ‘Abang Kacak’ (Handsome Brother)
Originally known as Wawasan Cendol, this humble Cendol stall is now better known as Cendol “Abang Kacak” since going viral for the attractiveness of the owner’s son who mans the business.
The stall was set-up in front of Thean Chun Restaurant on a three-wheeled motorbike. There are a variety of Cendol to choose from, including Cendol Kacang (Red Bean), Cendol Jagung (Corn), Cendol Lengkong (Grass Jelly), Cendol Pulut, Cendol with Nata De Nenas and Cendol with Nata De Coco.
The price of Cendol here ranges from RM3 to RM4.50.
Klang Valley: Gerai Minum Weng Kee (Honourable Mention)
Located in the historical food court of Medan Selera Jalan Othman, Gerai Minum Weng Kee was serving Cendol for over 40 years until the owners, a husband and wife team, decided to hang up their aprons. Locals from Petaling Jaya and Malaysians from other parts of the valley who have tasted their Cendol used to rave about its taste and unique presentation.
The Cendol here was served in a cup, layered with all the decadent ingredients that Cendol is famous for, and topped with an ice ball drenched in Gula Melaka – pure bliss! RIP Cendol Weng Kee – you are sorely missed.
Malacca: Min Chong Hygienic Ice Cafe
In Malacca, a place to visit for a decadent bowl of Cendol is the peculiarly named Ming Chong Hygienic Ice Café, along Jalan Bunga Raya, a street once infamously known as gangster’s paradise.
Here, rough blocks of ice are shaven into wafer-thin flakes for the Ais Cendol using a cast-iron contraption, passed on from the shop’s founder, the father of the current shop owner.
The façade is humble, even retaining the olden days’ signage. The walls are lined with framed photos of visiting politicians and other local leaders, alongside newspaper cuttings that speak of Min Chong’s icy goodness.
Min Chong Hygienic Ice Cafe
43, Jalan Bunga Raya,
Kampung Jawa, 75100 Melaka
Sarawak: Cendol Mami
No surprise but Gula Apong is also the must-have for the local variety of Cendol here. The place to visit is Cendol Mami in Kuching and once there, opt for Cendol Tapai, that comes with fermented rice on top.
Cendol Mami
1, Q309, Taman Melati 2
93050 Kuching, Sarawak
This article first appeared in uppre.com