Four Seasons Chendol 四季煎蕊 Toa Payoh Lorong 8

With Singapore’s hot and unforgiving weather, who wouldn’t like a bowl of ice cold dessert to cool yourself down? Cendol (also known as Chendol) fits the bill with its shaved ice, with delicious toppings and sweet syrup drizzled all over. Located in Toa Payoh, Four Seasons Cendol serves up a good bowl of authentic Cendol – with some saying that it’s one of the best in Singapore. They have a few outlets across Singapore, where Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong frequents.

The Four Seasons Cendol is served in a cardboard bowl, with the ice shaved to a round ball shape – giving it a nostalgic aesthetic similar to the old school “Ice Kachang Ball”. A generous amount of Gula Melaka and Coconut milk were drizzled over the ice and to be frank, I was never a huge fan of Cendol as I always find the Gula Melaka to be too much in excess and overly sweet. To my pleasant surprise, the Gula Melaka was not as sweet as I thought it would be. Both the condiments were so fragrant and you could just smell it before you even begin eating.

The shaved ice were packed firmly, and I enjoyed digging into the ball of ice looking for the usual toppings of Cendol. It came with around 2 attap seed, kidney beans and the noodle-like pandan jelly. The Pandan Jelly had a Q bite to it which I preferred as compared to the soft and mushy ones. Though, I wished it had more pandan aroma.

Some patrons of Toa Payoh Lor 8 Market would end their meal with a dessert, and it is common to see bowls of Four Seasons Cendol on everyone’s table. They also open till late so it would make for a good supper option as well. I will definitely be back again if I’m craving for a good bowl of Cendol.