Quick answer
Penang's legendary cendol, ranging from approximately RM3 to RM8 ($0.65-$1.75 USD), is best experienced at the heritage stalls of Penang Road, known for their rich santan and bold gula melaka. Since 1936, this simple dessert of shaved ice, pandan jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar has been a pillar of Malaysian food culture, with the best versions extending beyond the famous George Town stalls.
- Best overall
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
- Top pick
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Top verdicts
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul: Skip the air-conditioned shop next door and queue at the original push-cart on the street for the real ritual.
- Swatow Lane Ice Kacang: Pair it with a Penang laksa run -- the surrounding Pulau Tikus block has some of the city's best.
- Ais Tingkap: Combine the visit with a Tamil-quarter walk down Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Penang.
Penang's cendol is legendary for a reason. The combination of shaved ice, silky pandan jelly noodles, fragrant gula melaka, and rich coconut milk has made this simple dessert a pillar of Malaysian food culture. George Town's Penang Road has been the epicenter since 1936, but the best cendol in Penang extends far beyond one famous stall.
Area map
1. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Start with:
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul | cendol | mid | 27-29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 Penang |
| 2 | Swatow Lane Ice Kacang | cendol | mid | 102, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10350 Penang |
| 3 | Ais Tingkap | cendol | mid | 2, Lebuh Tamil, George Town, 10100 Penang |
| 4 | Penang Road Famous Ice Kacang Cendol (Tan Jetty) | cendol | mid | Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 Penang |
| 5 | Relau 88 Laksa & Ice Kacang | cendol | mid | Persiaran Paya Terubong 2, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang |
| 6 | Kulim Road Best Cendol | cendol | mid | 11, Tingkat Tenang, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang |
| 7 | Tony Ais Kacang & Cendol | cendol | mid | Medan Batu Lanchang, 11600 Jelutong, Penang |
| 8 | OO White Coffee (Waterfall) | cendol | mid | 29-31, Jalan Gottlieb, 10350 George Town, Penang |
| 9 | Cendol Asli Pak Haji | cendol | mid | Kampung Batu Feringgi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang |
| 10 | New Cendol House | cendol | mid | 17, Jalan Keranji, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang |
1Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Cendol
Verdict: Skip the air-conditioned shop next door and queue at the original push-cart on the street for the real ritual.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- First-time visitors chasing the heritage classic
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · 27-29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town, 10100 Penang
- Why it made the list
- The 1936 Lebuh Keng Kwee stall is the benchmark every other cendol in Penang gets compared to. The line moves fast, but it always exists.
- What to order
- Cendol Biasa with extra red beans and a side of pulut (glutinous rice).
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2Swatow Lane Ice Kacang
Cendol
Verdict: Pair it with a Penang laksa run -- the surrounding Pulau Tikus block has some of the city's best.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Both ice kacang and cendol in one stop
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · 102, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10350 Penang
- Why it made the list
- A George Town institution that has migrated locations but kept its loyal following for old-school ice kacang and cendol.
- What to order
- Special ice kacang with cendol, plus a bowl of laksa from a nearby stall to balance the sweetness.
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3Ais Tingkap
Cendol
Verdict: Combine the visit with a Tamil-quarter walk down Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Penang.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Cendol with a Little India side trip
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · 2, Lebuh Tamil, George Town, 10100 Penang
- Why it made the list
- A Little India favorite where the rose syrup and basil seed drink is as celebrated as the cendol -- a window into the multicultural Penang dessert scene.
- What to order
- Air Tingkap rose-syrup sherbet alongside the cendol.
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4Penang Road Famous Ice Kacang Cendol (Tan Jetty)
Cendol
Verdict: Wander out to the end of Tan Jetty afterward -- it's one of the surviving clan jetties.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Same recipe without the Lebuh Keng Kwee crowd
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 Penang
- Why it made the list
- The Tan Jetty offshoot of the famous Penang Road brand serves the same recipe with a waterfront breeze and shorter queues.
- What to order
- Cendol with extra gula melaka and a portion of the chendol durian when in season.
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5Relau 88 Laksa & Ice Kacang
Cendol
Verdict: Order both at once -- the laksa-then-cendol sequence is the whole point.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- A laksa-and-cendol lunch combo
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · Persiaran Paya Terubong 2, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
- Why it made the list
- A southern-island stall that pairs Penang asam laksa with a generous bowl of cendol -- locals' favorite combo.
- What to order
- A bowl of asam laksa followed by cendol with red bean.
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6Kulim Road Best Cendol
Cendol
Verdict: Worth the drive across the Penang Bridge if you're already exploring Seberang Perai.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Mainland cendol away from tourist queues
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · 11, Tingkat Tenang, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang
- Why it made the list
- A mainland Bukit Mertajam stall that locals defend as Penang's most underrated cendol -- thicker santan, sharper gula melaka.
- What to order
- Cendol biasa, no upgrades needed.
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7Tony Ais Kacang & Cendol
Cendol
Verdict: Pair with hawker fare from the surrounding Batu Lanchang market -- this is a working hawker complex, not a tourist stop.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- A residential-neighborhood cendol stop
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · Medan Batu Lanchang, 11600 Jelutong, Penang
- Why it made the list
- A Jelutong neighborhood stall that draws steady local regulars for its punchy gula melaka and shaved-ice texture.
- What to order
- Cendol special with extra coconut milk.
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8OO White Coffee (Waterfall)
Cendol
Verdict: Go for the air-conditioned indoor seating if you want a longer break -- most Penang cendol is grab-and-go.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Sit-down cendol with proper seating
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · 29-31, Jalan Gottlieb, 10350 George Town, Penang
- Why it made the list
- The Waterfall branch of a Penang coffee-shop chain known for thick traditional cendol and a sit-down setting that suits families.
- What to order
- Cendol durian when durian season hits June through August.
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9Cendol Asli Pak Haji
Cendol
Verdict: Stop in after a Batu Ferringhi beach walk -- the stall is set back from the main strip.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- A north-coast Malay-style cendol
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · Kampung Batu Feringgi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang
- Why it made the list
- Batu Ferringhi's Malay-style cendol -- a different recipe lineage from the Chinese-style heritage stalls in George Town.
- What to order
- Cendol pulut (with glutinous rice) for the fullest experience.
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10New Cendol House
Cendol
Verdict: Cash only and counter-service -- expect a quick in-and-out.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- A no-fuss mainland cendol stop
- Strengths
- Known for Cendol · 17, Jalan Keranji, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang
- Why it made the list
- A Bukit Mertajam favorite that draws steady mainland traffic for its no-frills bowls and very fair pricing.
- What to order
- Cendol biasa or the cendol kacang merah.
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Frequently asked questions
What is cendol?
Cendol is a Southeast Asian dessert of shaved ice, pandan jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar.
Where is the original Penang Road cendol?
At 27-29 Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town. Since 1936.
How much does cendol cost?
RM3-RM5 ($0.65-$1.10 USD).
Penang or Melaka cendol?
Both excellent but different.
Best time for cendol?
10-11 AM to 5-6 PM.
Cendol vs ice kacang?
Cendol has pandan jelly and gula melaka; ice kacang has more toppings.
Cendol durian?
Available June-August.