By Najwa Zulhisham
A bubbly personality with a hint of pseudo-sarcasm, Najwa is a world of creativity on her own. Coming from her failed acting career during her uni days, she started writing for fun, eventually making it her career. Other than having to do her nails every month, she also finds solace in her interior designer alter-ego, redesigning her bedroom whenever life doesn’t feel quite right.
One of the many things that the people of Malaysia are particularly proud of is their culinary creations, particularly their sweets and pastries. Many of Malaysia’s desserts, in recognition of the country’s hot and humid atmosphere, are refreshing and airy. They frequently consist of items such as tropical fruits, nuts, and even vegetables. Pandan and tapioca are two other components that are frequently used. The term “dessert” in Malaysia refers to a wide range of sweet foods, including things like cakes and cookies, as well as shaved ice and sweet soups. Malaysian desserts are known for their intriguing variety. When you visit Malaysia, you’ll be able to indulge in a variety of sweet treats, and we’ve highlighted a few of our favourites below.
Ice Kacang or Ais Batu Campur (Shaved Ice)
In hot and humid places like Malaysia, nothing beats a bowl of shaved ice. This Malaysian dessert is not your standard shaved ice; instead, it features cooked red beans, hence the name. With plenty of syrup and maybe some nuts and corns on top. This dish of refreshing dessert, perfect for cooling off on a hot day, is the quintessential symbol of Malaysia.
Onde Onde (Pandan and Coconut Dessert)
You won’t be able to get enough of these glutinous rice balls stuffed with gula melaka (palm sugar) and shredded coconut flavoured with pandan. Open your mouth wide and let the gula melaka and heavenly sweetness flood your taste buds. In addition to being a delicious kuih, onde-onde has recently emerged as a flavour in various desserts and even drinks, driving locals in Malaysia absolutely crazy!
Are you curious about onde onde? Try some of CakeRush‘s Ondeh Onde Delight, a take on the traditional onde onde dessert. This pandan sponge cake is stacked with coconut mousseline, coconut pudding, and Gula Melaka to give you a taste of a traditional Malaysian delicacy. Flaked sweetened coconut and onde-onde chocolate truffles are liberally sprinkled on top, bringing you on a sweet joyride!
Bubur Cha Cha
Authentic Malaysian desserts are as beautiful as they are delicious. When you need a splash of colour in your life, Bubur Cha Cha is the way to go. Sweetened with tapioca and coconut milk, the dish gets its vibrant hues from a variety of sweet potatoes, yams, and black-eyed peas in shades of yellow, orange, and purple. This is the real deal, both visually and gustatorily!
Kuih Lapis (Layered Coconut Milk Dessert)
Enjoy the thrill of eating kuih lapis by uncovering each layer. Tempting as it is, this Malaysian dessert most commonly, it is steamed as a pudding-like cake with moist layers. It’s truly a sight for sore eyes and gives a sweetness that lasts a lifetime. Steaming the cake gives it the appearance of a tiered, multicoloured pudding.
Kuih Koci (Glutinous Rice Cake With Coconut Filling)
Kuih Koci is regarded as a special treat by a significant portion of Malaysia’s more senior population. Have some fun with this coconut-filled dumpling that will provide you with an experience of a lifetime! If you’re curious, the dough has the consistency of mochi, but the gooeyness of the coconut filling is something that can only find in Malaysia. While eating Kuih Koci, you should unwrap the banana leaves as part of the authentic experience of being in Malaysia.
Take a break from those brownies and macarons, and indulge in some of these Malaysian delicacies instead to get a taste of what it’s like to live like a local here. You can get your hands on one of these delectable snacks practically anyplace in Malaysia, and it will not only satisfy your sweet taste but also provide you with an enjoyable experience.
