Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Chinatown in Singapore, we ventured into the bustling Chinatown Complex Hawker Centre, ready to explore the dessert delights that this culinary hub had to offer. The hawker centre, a quintessential part of Singaporean culture, is an expedition of culture and food and they’re everywhere in the country. Each own has its own charm and specialities. Due to there being limited halal options here and our ever growing interest in Chinese desserts, we had to check out the dessert scene here. The traditional dessert scene.
1. Old Amoy Chendol: Time-Tested Shaved Ice Delight
Our dessert journey commenced with a visit to Old Amoy Chendol, an establishment steeped in history, having crafted chendol since the 1950s. Chendol, a popular shaved ice dessert, is a refreshing treat, especially in the tropical heat. The concoction includes coconut milk, rice flour pandan-flavoured jelly, gula melaka (palm sugar), and red beans. The result is a symphony of textures and flavours that make it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. It was good, but don’t get me wrong it comes nowhere near the one we had in Penang.
2. Fresh Drink Stall: Calamansi Juice and Grass Jelly Delight
As we continued our culinary exploration, we stumbled upon a fresh drink stall that offered both beverages and desserts. The calamansi juice, extracted from the calamansi citrus fruit, provided a burst of refreshment, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess. Intrigued by the grass jelly dessert, we dived into a shaved ice concoction featuring grass jelly, lychee bits, and more. Grass jelly, known for its herbal and slightly bitter undertones, was complemented by the juicy sweetness of lychee, creating a harmonious dessert experience. This unique Chinese plant (grass jelly) is a very common dessert or drink ingredient in this part of the world.
3. Almond Paste: A Sweet Finale
For our final dessert indulgence, we opted for almond paste from one of the stalls offering paste-based desserts. Paste desserts, just like shaved ice desserts, are a thing here in Singapore with the likes of sesame, walnut and almond paste being very popular traditional desserts. Despite its unassuming appearance, almond paste proved to be a delight for those with a sweet tooth. Reminiscent of marzipan, the paste presented a rich and nutty flavour profile, rounding off our dessert adventure on a sweet note.
Getting there:
Google Maps location link
