There are times when a stall does one thing so well that it needs to do nothing else other than let the food speak for itself.
In this case, Nyonya Chendol does the traditional dessert so well, that it simply named its stall after it and nothing more.
The stall is newly listed in the Singapore Michelin Guide, making it the first and only Chendol stall in Singapore listed. Nope, not Old Amoy Chendol, Four Seasons Cendol 四季煎蕊, or Cendol Geylang Serai.
(Also read: 12 Must-Try Chendol in Singapore To Keep You Cool)
Part of the famous Old Airport Road Food Centre, Nyonya Chendol is found in the middle row of stalls, rather near to the center.
There used to be many more outlets around, but they are left with four stalls – the rest being Bukit Timah Food Centre #02-147, Whampoa Food Centre #01-17, and Chong Pang Food Centre #01-162.
For the uninitiated, Chendol (some spell “Cendol” consists shaved ice and the signature strands of pandan rice flour jelly, together with coconut milk and gula melaka for sweetness.
Fun fact: CNN once named Chendol as a “50 of the world’s best desserts”. As for the true origins of the dessert, accordingly dates back to the 12th century Kediri Kingdom, in Java Indonesia and called “Dawet”.
There are just four versions on the Nyonya Chendol menu to keep it simple.
When you order, you can watch the hawker run the ice machine and scoop out toppings with skill and ease, almost as if she has done it a thousand times before.
The Original Chendol ($2) comes with the basics – shaved ice, coconut milk, chendol, and gula melaka.
Get some of every topping in each spoonful for a hit of coldness, sweetness, fragrance and more.
Since most of the flavour comes from the gula melaka, I appreciated the old-school taste of the palm sugar syrup.
It has the right notes to it that is hard to describe, but it is simply sweet but not cloying.
I recommend getting at least the Red Bean Chendol ($2.50), as the extra scoops of sweet red bean is almost a must for an even more enjoyable dessert.
There are also Sweet Corn Chendol ($2.50) and a luxurious XO Durian Chendol ($3) available. The serving sizes are generous, and they definitely do not skimp out on even the durian.
In a country where almost every day is hot, a good bowl of Nyonya Chendol easily cures the heat.
Nyonya Chendol
Old Airport Road Food Centre #01-115, 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 9:30pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Other outlets at:
Bukit Timah Food Centre #02-147
Whampoa Food Centre #01-17
Chong Pang Food Centre #01-162
Other Related Entries
10 Traditional Dessert Shops In Singapore
12 Must-Try Chendol in Singapore To Keep You Cool
Wan Mei 碗美 (Katong)
Jin Yu Man Tang (Chinatown)
Hup Ka Foon 合家歡 (Sago Street)
* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
Hi,
Is the coconut gravy organic or box type?
Regards,
Yeo
I have tried both stall at Bukit Timah and Whampoa. Bukit Timah seem to be more consistent in quality control than Whampoa.. But both are still not as good as Four Seasons at lorong 8 Toa Payoh
No way! This stall cannot even pass my pickiness for chendol. If any stall in old airport hawker deserves the Michelin recommendation, it has to be and definitely is the Ice Dessert opposite to Lao Fu Zi Char Kway Teow. Their ingredients are fresh and gula melaka is pure. You will never regret. I always buy for parties to share the yummy dessert. If this stall is closed, I won’t even go for the alternative in the same FC. The standards are far apart.
Chendol from Ice Dessert is definitely the best in old airport hawker center. They have one of the best Cheng Tng I have tried as well. This stall is managed by the couple and their son. They are very particular about the freshness of their ingredient. Try it to believe8