Thread: Visit Malaysia, especially Penang!

Originally Posted by NST online

Cendol talk brings Scotsman to Malacca
16 Nov 2006

MALACCA: Even in Scotland, Malacca cendol is well known.
Scotsman Alasdair Dunn, who is on holiday here, said he heard about the famous cendol pulut sold at the "mangosteen shaped stall by the riverside, opposite the clock tower".

"My buddies were talking about it over a few drinks in a pub back home. They told me that this dessert is so good that my trip here will be wasted if I didn’t try it at least once."

"This is good stuff! It’s sweet and creamy. I would surely have regretted if I did not stop for this dessert," said Dunn, who was among several customers at stall operated by Mohamad Kassim Mohd Ali Jinna.

Mohammad Kassim is a third generation cendol seller. His grandfather, Kadir Meera, started the business using a four-wheel cart in front of the old Rex theatre in the 1950’s.

When his father, Mohd Ali Jinna, took over in the 1980’s, he started selling at the riverside in front of the clock tower.

In 1995, when the state government built the fruit shaped stalls by the riverside during its ‘local fruits’ campaign, Mohd Ali Jinna got a permanent site — the mangosteen shaped stall.

Mohammad Kassim, 25, took over the business from his father in 1998.
"It is probably in the blood. I have never wanted to do anything else," he said.

From his profits he has started a cybercafe business but will continue to sell cendol.

Asked for the secret of his cendol, he said it was the fresh coconut milk and gula melaka.

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online

It's yummy. It's little green jellylike strands and topped with shaved ice, coconut milk and thick sweet fragrant palm sugar. Red beans, pieces of glutinous rice, grass jelly and shaved ice are optional additions. There are many incarnations depending on where you are in Malaysia.

In Melaka : Durian Cendul, Glutinous Rice Cendul
In Penang : Cendul with mix local fruits, Cendul with Ice-Cream
In Kedah : Cendul

It is a kin of the Ice-Kacang or ABC which is more eleborate.



So which Cendol is the best of the Best? You decide. If you are visiting Melaka, try it out. It will make you a fan of it. Drop by Penang for the Cendol which tourist rave about and come by the tour bus loads. Standing in an alley, oblivious to the traffic, slurping down this delicious dessert is a sight to watch. If you are ever there, please do give way to the car, sometimes your behind can be blocking its way.

theBat$ likes Cendol Durian...mmmmm but Penang Cendul ok too!

p/s chendul, chendol, cendul, cendol or cendoi... as it is pronouced by local penangites means the same thing. All good!