5 Delicious Desserts in Malaysia

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One thing that Malaysians do best is to eat, eat and eat! We’re such a blessed nation that there are thousands of established eateries, big or small, plus the countless street hawkers with plenty of goodies to offer something for everyone. It’s hard not to be surrounded by food all day long. With many types of food in the country, it’s somewhat hard to miss the top 5 most favoured and popular desserts in Malaysia, especially with the scorching climate we all have to deal with on a daily basis (unless it’s the raining season).

The top 5 must-try desserts in Malaysia that are bound to make you drool right now are:

1. Cendol

The notion of eating cold, green noodles may turn some people off but it remains the Malaysian favourite of all time. The ‘green noodles’ are actually strands of cooked dough made from green pea flour and the green juice of pandan leaves. A typical bowl of cendol will consist of these green noodles, coconut cream, shaved ice and palm sugar. Some variations have a lump of glutinous rice added to it. Cendol is one of the desserts that no one can resist especially when it is scorching hot out there and thankfully it can be found easily at the many street vendors who also sell pasembur (Indian rojak) from their trucks. It can get too hot to dine by the roadside, so simply take away a packet of cendol and start slurping away in the car!

2. Ice kacang or ABC

The ais kacang, also known as ABC which stands for Air Batu Campur (mixed ice), is made of shaved ice and topped with a variety of different syrups and toppings. Common toppings include cendol, jelly, canned corn, grass jelly and kidney beans. More interesting versions come with fruits, barley, raisins and peanuts. There is even a ‘special’ ais kacang which comes topped with a scoop or two of ice-cream. The concoction of syrup and ingredients deliver a sweet but refreshing taste that even those with sensitive teeth find it difficult to stay away from on a hot day.

3. Bubur Chacha

The dessert is as cute and sweet as the name itself! The taro and sweet potato cubes served with coconut milk and sago is so incredibly tasty. You’d sometimes find colourful strings and balls in your bubur chacha too; these are coloured dough strips added to give colour to the dessert. Bubur chacha is usually served warm although a chilled bowl of bubur chacha is great for the hot season.

4. Bubur Pulut Hitam

Bubur pulut hitam means black glutinous rice dessert in the local Malay language. Made from black glutinous rice cooked into a porridge form along with some pandan leaves for fragrance, the bubur pulut hitam is then topped with coconut cream or milk for a simple and heart-warming dessert. More culinary-adventurous individuals have added ice cream but purists swear by the traditional version. Just like the bubur chacha, bubur pulut hitam is usually served warm but of course, it can be taken cold too.

5. Ice Cream Sandwich

What this really consist of is just a scoop of ice cream and a piece of bread to wrap around it but you’d never thought that the combo would be a really interesting and tasty one! However, make no mistake – don’t bother looking for these ice cream sandwiches in a fancy ice cream store because you wouldn’t find them. You’ll have better luck at the ice cream vendors on motorbikes. Just look out for the multi-coloured umbrellas or listen for the ringing bells!