Ahmad Nizam with his signature ‘mee bandung’ and ‘cendol’ at his stall in Taman Melati. — Photos: Low Lay Phon/The Star
RM1 dessert, viral mee bandung a hit with Kuala Lumpur diners
Sweet, thick and icy cold, the cendol at this eatery in Taman Melati, Kuala Lumpur, has been a go-to when it comes to one of Malaysia’s favourite desserts.
And for 20 years, it has been on offer for just RM1.
The refreshing treat can be found at Nizam Cendol Goncang on Persiaran Pertahanan, run by 39-year-old Ahmad Nizam Noh.
The stall owner said his business was built on quality of service and the legacy of his late mother.
“Our cendol has been priced at RM1 since I first started my business journey about 20 years ago on a three-wheeled motorcycle.
“Selling cendol was my late mother’s idea.
“I didn’t even know how to make cendol, but she taught me using her own recipe.
RM1 cendol served in a bowl of cup.
“The idea, the recipe and even the price were all from her and I didn’t want to change that,” he said.
“We also have a lot of school students coming here, and I want to make sure that they’re able to enjoy and afford the iced treat as well,” said Ahmad Nizam, who has been running the stall for 13 years.
A normal bowl or cup of cendol costs RM1, while other variations including cendol kacang (peanut), pulut (glutinous rice) and even ice-cream, based on toppings and size, can go up to RM10.
The base is prepared with a blend of palm sugar, Indian brown sugar, red sugar and pandan, which gives it a caramel-like richness.
“The sugar is prepared the night before.
“It takes us about four to five hours to mix and cook it. That’s what makes the taste different from others,” Ahmad Nizam said.
“We also mix original coconut milk and palm-based coconut milk together to give it a richer taste.”
While the cendol may be the first thing to draw a crowd, many regulars also come for the stall’s mee bandung, a dish rooted in Ahmad Nizam’s Johor heritage.
Cooked with udang geragau (acetes shrimp), a rich, thick broth and a perfectly wobbly fried egg, Ahmad Nizam’s version of mee bandung had not always been the preferred choice, but one viral review changed it all.
“When I first put this item on the menu, it didn’t sell well. For two to three years, feedback was lukewarm.
“Then two years ago, a food review went viral, boosting the demand and I’m truly grateful,” he said.
Customers can also enjoy other comforting dishes such as bihun sup and sup daging with rice and eggs.
Nizam Cendol Goncang opens from 9am to 10pm, Tuesdays to Sundays.
For enquiries, call 017-661 1259.
