Cendol is a beloved iced dessert from Southeast Asia, especially popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It’s made with green rice flour jelly noodles (also called cendol), coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup, all served over shaved or crushed ice. The combination is rich, sweet, and incredibly refreshing—perfect for hot days. The green noodles are slightly chewy, and the palm sugar gives the drink a deep caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with creamy coconut. This recipe serves 2.
Ingredients
For the cendol noodles (or use store-bought):
1/2 cup mung bean starch or rice flour
1 tablespoon pandan juice (or pandan extract)
1 cup water
A bowl of ice water for setting
For the syrup:
1/2 cup palm sugar (gula melaka), chopped
2 tablespoons water
1 small pandan leaf or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
For serving:
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Crushed or shaved ice
Cooked red beans (optional)
Sweet corn or jackfruit (optional)
How to Make Cendol
Make the cendol noodles:
In a small saucepan, whisk the starch/flour with water and pandan extract until smooth.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes slightly transparent.
While still hot, press the paste through a cendol press or a slotted spoon into a bowl of ice water to form short, green noodles. Let them chill and firm up. Drain before using.
Make the syrup:
In a small pan, combine palm sugar and water. Add the pandan leaf if using.
Heat until the sugar melts into a thick syrup. Strain and let cool.
Prepare the coconut milk:
In a saucepan, heat the coconut milk gently with salt until warm (do not boil). Let it cool completely before using.
Assemble the cendol:
In serving glasses or bowls, add a handful of cendol noodles.
Top with a spoon of palm sugar syrup and chilled coconut milk.
Add crushed ice generously. You can also add sweet corn, cooked red beans, or jackfruit slices if desired.
Serving Suggestions
Serve immediately with a long spoon or straw. For extra richness, drizzle a bit more syrup or coconut milk on top just before serving.
Cendol is cold, creamy, and full of texture. It brings together the best of tropical flavors in one glass—sweet, slightly salty, and deeply refreshing. Ideal as a dessert or a mid-day cool-down in hot weather.
