Best Desserts in Malaysia and Where to Find Them

No matter what places you visit in Malaysia, whether you book your online bus tickets and train tickets to explore parts or how much you shop, no trip is complete with diving deep into the myriad flavours of local Malaysian cuisine. Influenced by many cultures such as the Chinese, Indonesian and Indian, Malaysian delicacies are truly multicultural in nature. While you may be able to name a fair few savoury dishes, how many of the desserts are you aware of? Malaysia is home to some of the most fascinating and yummy desserts you will ever have. These sweet treats are an integral part of authentic Malaysian food and whether you have a sweet tooth or not, you must try some of them.

Best Places in Malaysia for Dessert

#1 Pandan Cake

Pandan cakes are a dessert that you will only find in the Southeast Asian countries. This comforting dessert has a light green chiffon sponge cake where you get the colour and subtle flavour from the juices of the Pandan leaves. The original sponge cake as well as its variants are a staple in Malaysian households, enjoyed by people of all age groups. The trick is to use just the right amount of the pandan leaves juice because an excess of it can make the sponge cake taste bitter.

Where to eat: Chung Hee Coffee Shop in Lucky Garden, Bangsar

#2 Nyonya Kueh

Nyonya Kuehs is a must-have. Kueh is a broad Malay word to describe traditional cakes. The Nyonyas in Penang will present a different kind of kueh as compared to the Nyonyas in Melaka. Either way, the Nyonya kuehs are absolutely delicious. An integral part of the Perankan cuisine, Nyonya Kuehs are rich and varied. They can be made from ingredients such as glutinous rice, coconut milk and palm sugar.

Where to eat: Nyonya Colours (multiple locations)

#3 Apam Balik

Apam balik (turnover pancake) is the Malaysian version of the Indonesian martabak manis. These are Asian style pancakes can include a variety of fillings such as crushed peanuts, cheese, corn, etc. You will find apam balik being made at lightening-fast speed at every second stall at the night markets set up every night. There is the standard thick apam balik with a soft, slightly cakey centre and the thinner, crisp version which is overflowing with sweetness.

Where to eat: Commonly available at street stalls and night markets

#4 Sago Gula Melaka

Sago Gula Melaka is a delicious Malaysian dessert consisting of chewy sago pearls, thick coconut cream and a generous splash of melted gula melaka. Gula melaka is the Malaysian version of palm sugar that is believed to have originated from Malacca, Malaysia. A simple Malaysian dish but it is an explosive combination of salty coconut and sweet, sticky gula melaka. The various textures are a bonus experience on the taste buds.

Where to eat: Bibisik in One City, USJ; Limapulo: Baba Can Cook on Jalan Doraisamy, Kuala Lumpur

#5 Pulut Hitam

Another delicious and famous Nyonya dessert is this sweet and sticky Nyonya dessert made with of black glutinous rice and topped with salted coconut milk. The black glutinous rice is boiled until soft, and sugar and coconut milk are added to the pot. You can also add the famous gula melaka.

Where to eat: Little Penang Cafe (multiple locations)

#6 Bubur Cha Cha

Bubur Cha Cha is made with yam, taro, sweet potatoes, fruits, and peas served in a warm coconut broth. The tubers are steamed and then added to the sweetened coconut soup flavoured with pandan. These ingredients infuse a beautiful colour to the dish and make it vibrant and visually appetizing. In terms of fruits, you can add bananas, jackfruit or durian.

Where to eat: Commonly available at street stalls and night markets

#7 Tau Fu Far

If you are out exploring the night markets, this is a sweet you must try. This dish is made with steamed soybean curds served with melted sugar. The silky soft soybean pudding is perfect when you crave for something light and refreshing after a heavy meal. Instead of sugar syrup, you can enjoy it with gula melaka.

Where to eat: Jenny Hong Soya Bean (food truck) on Jalan Haji Openg, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

#8 Cendol

What’s a trip to Malaysia without tasting Cendol? A favourite among locals and tourists, the green pandan flavoured cendol ‘noodles’, served with coconut cream/milk, melted gula melaka, kidney beans, and a heap of shaved ice, is an explosion of flavours and textures. You try numerous kinds of cendol such as durian cendol, jackfruit cendol and even oreo cendol! By the end of your trip, you will have determined which is your favourite cendol flavour.

Where to eat: Teow Chew Chendul stall at Penang Road, Penang; Aunty Koh’s cendol, Malacca

#9 Ondeh Ondeh

Pop these in your mouth and experience a burst of syrupy sweetness! The pandan-infused glutinous rice batter is filled with gula melaka. These are then rolled into balls and rolled in freshly grated coconut. It is the perfect combination of sweet and salty.

Where to eat: Commonly available at street stalls and night markets

#10 Ais Kacang

Ais Kacang is another famous Malaysian dessert, especially during the summers. It is also fondly known as ABC - Ais Batu Campur (mixed ice). This dessert also features kidney beans, an assortment of jellies, sweet corn, shaved iced, evaporated milk, rose syrup, and melted gula melaka. Some places even include roasted peanuts, cendol ‘noodles’ and ice cream.

Where to eat: Commonly available at street stalls and night markets

Conclusion

Malaysia really is one of the best countries in the world for budget travelling and there is so much one can do without overstepping a pre-decided holiday budget. All it requires is some planning and preparation. One thing you must do is book bus tickets and other public transportation tickets well in advance. There are various portals available that will offer different features and make the entire process easier and hassle-free.

Terdapat banyak cara untuk seseorang menjelajah Malaysia. Anda boleh merancang keseluruhan perjalanan dengan mengambil peluang untuk menaiki setiap bentuk pengangkutan sekurang-kurangnya sekali. Apa yang anda perlu lakukan hanyalah membuat tempahan awal tiket bas online berserta tiket pengangkutan awam lain.

An avid reader and writer, writing blogs is something that i've always liked. My interest lies in writing for home decor, interior designing, and everything else related to a humble abode.