Akaka Melaka Cendol is a popular Malaysian dessert brand specialising in authentic cendol since 2019. It operates a little kiosk in Paradigm Mall on Level UG — “UG” means “Upper Ground” floor or 2nd level, and “Level 2” is on the 4th level. On closer look, the little “monster” serves a lot more food stuff than just cendol.
Using a family secret recipe, Akaka’s range of cendol features rich, 4-hour slow-cooked gula Melaka, creamy coconut milk, and traditional toppings like durian, white coffee, milk tea, matcha, chocolate, etc, offering a premium take on the classic iced dessert. Aside from serving the “best cendol in town”, Akaka also offers Korean fried chicken with different flavours to go optionally with rice / noodle. There are other side dishes, including fried snacks, and also iced beverages under categories of matcha, coconut milk, coffee and soda.
The signature Akaka Cendol is Melaka-style cendol using gula Melaka (palm sugar) as the main source of flavouring. The dessert is served with creamy coconut milk covering half the crushed ice and the other half by dark gula Melaka, which gives off a deep caramelised aroma and flavour after being slow-cooked for 4 hours.
Underneath the mound of crushed ice are soft green jelly strands made from rice flour with pandan flavouring and red bean paste with whole red beans — first time I saw red bean paste being used in cendol. Aside from the caramelised flavour of gula Melaka, the distinctive flavours of coconut milk and red beans can also be picked up. This is indeed a deliciously flavourful cendol and the sweetness is surprisingly mellow — most Melaka cendol that I have tried tend to be much sweeter.
The Waffle Fries is nice as light bite, especially when taking a break at Akaka in between meals. The lattice-cut potato is well-fried till crispy outside and soft inside. Best of all, the snack is non-oily and not sprinkled with salt. A dish of mild-sweet dipping sauce comes with the dish and its light tastiness does not induce a strong taste on the crispy fries. The fresh coral lettuce is great for flushing down the aftertaste of the fries.
I tried Akaka’s signature Melaka cendol and a fried snack dish on the first visit, and will go for their Korean fried chicken and a different flavour of cendol next.
Social Media:
Facebook | Website
Address:
Paradigm Mall, Level UG, Lot K05
K013, Skudai Highway, Taman Bukit Mewah, Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours:
10:30am to 9:30pm (Sat & Sun till 10pm) | Daily
How to Get There:
Take BAS.MY J30 / J31 / J32 / J34 from JB Sentral or BAS.MY J40 from Larkin Sentral and alight opposite Paradigm Mall. Read JB Bus: To Beletime Danga Bay / Angsana Mall / Paradigm Mall / Sutera Mall along Skudai Highway.
Nearby:
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