Today, I revisited the Food Place food court, located at Pavilion Mall. The food court is situated beside the Oriental Kopi Restaurant. The atmosphere is lively as People are seen enjoying their meals.
This time, I ordered Cendol from Toast Place, which costs RM7.00 per bowl. The cendol is presented in a white bowl, piled high with shaved ice.
On the shaved ice is the signature pandan-flavoured rice flour jelly noodles, which give the dessert its name. Then we have Red Beans, a generous topping of dark red beans is spread over the cendol, adding a contrasting colour and texture.
Because I can't take too much sugar due to diabetes, I requested my syrup to be put in a small bowl so that I can decide how much to pour into my cendol. The 2 bowls contain Coconut Milk that provides a richness and distinctive flavour. The other bowl contains Gula Melaka (Palm Sugar Syrup), A dark, glossy syrup characteristic of gula melaka, is poured over the cendol, offering a deep, caramelised sweetness.
Cendol is a traditional Southeast Asian dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries. Its exact origins are somewhat debated, but it is widely believed to have originated in Java, Indonesia, where it is known as "dawet." From there, it spread across the region, evolving with local variations in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
In Malaysia and Singapore, cendol often includes toppings like red beans, glutinous rice, sweet corn, and sometimes even durian. The use of robust gula melaka is a defining characteristic, providing a deep, aromatic sweetness that sets it apart.
