cendol melaka

had cendol at three places in melaka. first had it by the bank of the melaka river because it was recommended by someone (from singapore) whom we met near the stadthuys. we had been there admiring the colourful trishaws. did not remember seeing the trishaws decked like that during my previous visits to melaka. the cendol by the river cost rm$1.20.

the other place where we had cendol was at newton culture food centre, located neat mahkota parade. we had our dinner of teochew bah ku teh, hotplate noodles, yong tau fu and ikan bakar at the non-halal section before proceeding to the hala section for dessert. the cendol at newton was priced at rm$2.00

the third place where we had cendol after the meal was at ole sayang restaurant at bandar hilir. each time we visit melaka and seek out peranakan food, we either end up at ole sayang, makko or bibik neo, all located in the same area. the peranakan cendol cost rm$1.60 but the bowl was much smaller than the other two. you could choose to have it with beans or without.

verdict: of the three, the most authentic was served at the ole sayang restaurant. the one by the river, although highly recommended, was nothing out of the ordinary. the one at newton was good enough as you could really get a taste of the gula melaka.

cendol is a traditional dessert popular in malaysia and singapore. the dessert's basic ingredients consist of shaved ice, coconut milk, starch noodles with green food colouring and palm sugar (gula melaka).

this place at 88 jonkers street is extolled by many for its wonderful cendol but we did not eat here. if you go by the number of people eating outside and the queue, there may be substantial truth in that claim.