Gula Gula Chendol (Albert Centre Market)

Came across this stall named Gula Gula Chendol with a pretty eye-catching pink signboard whilst going around Albert Centre Food Centre — the stall does seem new considering how there were congratulatory flowers being placed outside the stall when we made the visit here. Being a Chendol specialty stall that is pretty similar to the likes of King of Chendol (at Blk 79 Circuit Road Food Centre) and Ye Tang Chendol (at Beauty World Food Centre), Gula Gula Chendol only serves up four different variations of its Chendol here — the Signature Chendol, Traditional Chendol, Corn Chendol and Durian Chendol.

Going for the Traditional Chendol, it comes with the standard toppings of Gula Melaka, Pandan Jelly, Red Beans and Attap Seeds. Found it a bit regrettable that the stall serves all orders in disposable paper bowls regardless if one is dining in or taking it away; would really prefer to be having the chendol from a non-disposable bowl — just a preference of ours that might not make a big difference to others. If going by the stall’s namesake, the Traditional Chendol does satisfy in how the Gula Melaka is actually pretty thick here — the Gula Melaka is indeed the main star here with its rich, earthy sweetness that helps to flavour up the entire bowl. That being said, the other elements do feel a little pedestrian; the lack of sufficient coconut milk added meant that the shaved ice didn’t turn out as fluffy as we would have preferred; the Pandan Jelly was a little generic, though we did find the red beans being aptly sweet — the inclusion of attap seeds here was a welcomed addition considering how there are places that serve up their rendition of Chendol without it.

Overall, the Traditional Chendol here at Gula Gula Chendol is a rather decent bowl that isn’t too much to shout about save for the thick Gula Melaka they are using here — that itself also being the showstopper for the Chendol here. Wouldn’t really make my a visit that is out of the way for this — there are better artisanal Chendol from other establishments elsewhere such as that from Ye Tang Chendol, Yat Ka Yan etc. which features handmade components that provide a more gastronomical experience overall. That being said, the Chendol from Gula Gula Chendol would probably suffice to scratch any sudden cravings for chendol whilst dining in the food centre; also a good respite from the strangely humid weather these days.