Ice chendol isn’t the most photogenic dessert ever, but man, it’s so good.
I was walking around sweating up a storm (it’s so damn hot hot here); seeing this particular street food cart was like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Obviously I had to stop and get a bowl.
They have a few different ice-based desserts, but chendol is their specialty.
It’s fairly simple — it’s a heaping mound of shaved ice topped with palm sugar syrup, coconut milk, sweet red beans, and rice flour jelly (those green wormy looking things).
This would be quite good under normal circumstances, but when it’s crazy hot outside (and it’s never not crazy hot in Malaysia), it’s amazing.
It’s sweet, satisfying, and refreshing AF. The amount of syrup is perfect, the coconut milk adds a welcome creaminess, and the red beans and rice flour jelly gives it substance. It’s a seriously great dessert.
Location: 473, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
How to find it: Look for the cart with the multicoloured vats containing various toppings.