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Don’t panic: Indonesian ‘cendol’ different from Singaporean ‘cendol’
The fact that CNN mentioned cendol as a Singaporean dessert had upset our Malaysian friends.
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'Es dawet' by junior sous chef Wahyudin from The Dharmawangsa Jakarta. In Java, 'cendol' is also known as 'dawet'. (JP/Bayu Widhiatmoko)
T
raditional iced dessert cendol is in the spotlight as it was included on CNN’s "50 of the World’s Best Desserts" published on Saturday.
However, the fact that CNN mentioned cendol as a Singaporean dessert had upset our Malaysian friends.
“Versions of this blissfully cool dessert can be found throughout Southeast Asia, but with the addition of a scoop of sweetened red beans, Singapore’s take on the classic treat remains especially tempting,” writes CNN.
Many had gone to social media and expressed their anger upon reading the news.
Seriously now?!!! Like seriously!!!! Make it right!!!!! @CNN
CNN Lists Cendol in World’s Top 50 Best Desserts But Says It’s From Singapore https://t.co/BflntFo00z via @worldofbuzz
— Shabrina Areefs (@ShabrinaAreefs) December 4, 2018
Dear CNN,
If Cendol is from Singapore, then Pasta is from Belgium, Tom Yam is from Vietnam and Dim Sum is from India.
Regards,
A Malaysian.
P/S: please note that we are deeply offended by your ignorance.
— Sid Latif (@SidLatif) December 4, 2018
Some also mentioned that cendol is from Indonesia.
Omfg @CNN, cendol is either Malaysian or Indonesian but it definitely isn’t Singaporean.
Jen Rose Smith is forbidden from eating cendol unless she goes onto a rendang and rice diet for a year and only listens to M.Nasir and Anggun during that time.
Sorry those are the rules. pic.twitter.com/1ZdHZL4Lu1
— Idris Martin (@IdrisMartin) December 3, 2018
Cendol berasal dr indonesia #doneclaim
— Yien (@NazrinMiko) December 4, 2018
Read also: Ramadhan recipe: The Dharmawangsa Jakarta’s ‘es dawet’
But before you get into the online debate, let us give you a lowdown on what Indonesian cendol is all about.
Indonesian food expert William Wongso told The Jakarta Post via telephone on Tuesday that cendol is not only available in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, but also other Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and Thailand.
In regard to Singaporean/Malaysian cendol, William said it was different from Indonesian cendol.
If you see the Singaporean or Malaysian version of cendol, you will discover a colorful bowl of dessert, comprising worm-like green jelly, sweetened red beans and, sometimes, sweet corn served with palm sugar and coconut milk. Indonesian cendol is less colorful as it only comprises green jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar.
“In Indonesia, cendol, also known as dawet in Java, only refers to the [pandan jelly served in coconut milk],” he said, saying that some may put pandanus leaves or jackfruit to add more aroma.
“In Singapore, the cendol is mixed with other [ingredients], like our es campur,” he explained.
William added that there are many version of cendol in Indonesia based on its place of origin.
“There is cendol Banjarnegara, es cendol Elizabeth [from Bandung] and even cendol ireng (black-colored cendol),” explained William. (kes)
