Guan Cendol

Cendol is probably my mum’s favourite dessert in Malaysia. I’ve known that for as long as I can remember.

We’ve had a few bowls since arriving, and the best one so far had been at the Lot 10 food court. But today, Dad and I stumbled across another gem.

While Mum caught up with some of her old school friends, Dad took me to see the house where she grew up before we grabbed some hawker food nearby. As we were walking, he spotted this little cendol stall. First though, he insisted on giving me a tour of the town. His first time was 48 years ago when he married mum, so it was pretty special to see it through his eyes, and to hear how things had changed.

By the time we’d finished wandering, we’d worked up a serious sweat, which in Malaysia doesn’t take long.

The cendol was exactly what we needed.

For anyone who hasn’t tried it, cendol is a classic Southeast Asian dessert made with shaved ice, coconut milk and rich gula Melaka (palm sugar) syrup. It’s topped with bright green pandan-flavoured jelly noodles, which are traditionally made from rice flour and mung bean flour, along with sweetened red beans. Cold, creamy and just the right amount of sweet, it’s one of the most refreshing things you can eat on a hot day.

The stall owner barely stopped moving, filling takeaway bags with shaved ice, cendol, syrup, coconut milk and beans, giving them a quick shake before popping in a straw. It was fascinating to watch.

Next stop: Penang. I’m fully expecting a food overload… and I may need to find somewhere that sells a second stomach.

📍 CENDOL & CANDY ICE
08000 35, 40, Jalan Dewa, Taman Pekan Baru, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia
🔗 Google Maps Link