A “salad bowl” rather than a melting pot of cultures, Singapore is a diverse city-state known as one of the world’s top destinations
Singapore
Born in South East Asia, cendol is a favorite dessert in Singapore—a welcome treat when the scorching sun is raging in the city. The classic sweet treat, originally from Malaysia, even made it to CNN’s “50 of The World's Best Desserts” list in 2019. The ice-cold treat is typically blended with a medley of ingredients such as fresh coconut milk, palm sugar, jelly noodles, and many more. Though often served in unassuming bowls, this dessert isn’t to be overlooked. When you ask Singaporeans, they would tell you that good cendol is hard to find; but try these stores to find local-approved bowls!
Old Amoy Chendol is a go-to spot for many locals in Singapore who want their cendol fix. All ingredients used here are 100% fresh—even the palm sugar they use is directly sourced from Sarawak, Malaysia. This shop on Smith Street also makes their cendol using traditional techniques, ensuring authentic flavor with every bowl they serve.
335 Smith St, #02-008, Singapore 050335
Having a notable public figure like Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong visiting this shop speaks volumes about Four Seasons’ Cendol. The snowball-shaped dessert is fragrant with the smell of sweet pandan, sprinkled with colorful candied treacle. Mix everything well to experience the bursting flavors of creamy coconut milk, kidney red beans, and thick gula melaka (Malaysian palm sugar). https://sethlui.com/four-seasons-cendol-singapore/
210 #01-07, Lor 8 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310210
Expect this stall along Old Airport Road to cool you down with its delicious Cendol on a typical humid day. Nyonya Chendol mills their own rice to make their pandan jelly, red adzuki beans instead of the usual red kidney beans to give their icy treats a sweeter flavor. In 2019, they also started to use coconut milk that is regarded in Singapore as the “Valrhona of coconuts.” Their servings are quite big, and there are many exciting flavors that you can try like Sweet Corn Chendol, XO Durian Chendol, and Red Beans Chendol. https://www.8days.sg/eatanddrink/newsandopening/hawker-stall-sells-1-50-chendol-using-the-coconut-club-11902894
51 Old Airport Rd, #01-115, Singapore 390051
Nestled along Tampines Street 81, this beverage stall gives a fresh twist to the all-time favorite cendol by turning your usual bowl into a refreshing smoothie. Take a sip of their Chendol Smoothie packed with punches of gula melaka and pure coconut milk in its soft shaved ice. You can also get your cendol in a bowl, but Penang A1 makes it easy for you to enjoy your favorite dessert on-the-go!
822 Tampines Street 81, Singapore 520822
A Muslim-owned dessert shop near Masjid Sultan, Overrun SG has become popular among sweet-toothed locals for its Chendol Soft Serve. Each cup of Standard Chendol is prepared with the shop’s cendol-flavored ice cream topped with coconut flakes, pandan jelly, and gula melaka. If this isn’t quite saccharine enough for you, add SGD1 to make it a Durian Chendol with durian pulp on top!
18 Baghdad St, Singapore 199657
In 2004, Calvin Ho and Ewan Tang saved Jin Jin Hot/Cold Desserts from total abandonment. Despite not having a solid background about the business, the duo's hard work paid off and put Jin Jin Dessert on the map as one of Singapore's go-to places for cendol. Their gula melaka is the real star of the show, prepared daily to ensure it's served fresh. Experience a parade of flavors with Power Chendol, a refreshing dessert that champions a toffee-like punch with attap seeds on top. It's not too sweet, and you can ask the owners for less ice if that suits your cendol preference more.
6 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-21 ABC Brickworks Market Food Centre, Singapore 150006
Cendol Geylang Serai is one of Singapore’s pioneers in Indonesian-style cendol. It's loved here by many for its creaminess and silky smooth pandan jelly noodles. The chendol here isn't sprinkled with typical toppings like attap seeds, red beans, or durian slices, letting you enjoy the sweetness of pure coconut milk.
1 Geylang Serai, #02-107, Singapore 402001
Expect a fresh and delicious bowl of Chendol from Makan Melaka every time you order. The gula melaka here is sourced directly from Malacca, while the coconut milk is squeezed daily to ensure every serving is as authentic as it gets. One thing that sets them apart is they let you decide how sweet you want your dessert to be, so that’s more reason to try out their Chendol!
492 Jurong West Street 41, #01-70, Singapore 640492
An excellent choice for anyone craving delicious Malaysian street delicacies, Malaysia Boleh’s Penang Road Chendol is topped with handmade green chendol jelly, pandan leaves, red kidney beans, sweet coconut milk, with overflowing gula melaka syrup! The thinly shaved ice highlights the flavors really well, making a bowl of Penang Road Chendol worth every scoop.
53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, #B2-41/42 AMK Hub, Singapore 569933
Locals love Dove Desserts for their tasty homemade Chendol. Their gula melaka and coconut milk are always fresh, with no artificial flavorings added. Their mix is just the right sweetness, with springy pandan jelly strips, palm sugar, and red beans. You can’t miss the fragrant Chendol when you’re in Kim Keat Palm Market and Food Centre, so go ahead and indulge in a bowl!
22 Lor 7 Toa Payoh, #01-21, Singapore 310022