Where & what to eat

Malaysian Foods

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Cendol (pronounced Chen-Dole) is a type of dessert that consists of white coconut milk, thin pandan-flavoured green-coloured flour noodles, palm sugar (gula melaka), red beans, and shaved ice. Sweet corn could also be added. Cendol is a wonderful complement for a hot summer's day.

Ais Kacang (pronounced Ice Kah-Chaang) is a type of dessert for a hot summer's day, consisting of shaved ice served with sweet flavoured syrup and jelly. Kacang is a malay word for bean, and ais kacang also comes with a helping of sweet red beans. Often, a large serving of attap chee (palm seed), sweet corn, grass jelly, cubes of agar agar and cendol form the base. Evaporated milk is drizzled over the mountain of ice.

Where

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Al-Hamid Cendol

Hassan owns Al-Hamid Cendol, which is the local coffeehouse that serves the best cendol in town. Years ago, Hassan had started off with a small cendol pushcart, and gradually the number of customers grew. Now he owns a mamak shop that sells an assortment of food and drinks, such as tosai, and teh tarik. However, his original cendol pushcart still stands in front of his shop, where the cendol is still made.


Mersing Cafe

Mersing Cafe is located around the corner from Public Bank, a short distance from the old market. An original kopitiam, it serves the best kaya toast with real butter! Their bread is freshly baked each morning, and Mersing Cafe grinds their own coffee!

What to order at Mersing Cafe:
- Kaya toast with butter (in malay: roti bakar dengan butter)
- Kopitiam coffee, with condensed milk on the bottom (kopi)
- Tea mixed with evaporated milk, with condensed milk on the bottom (teh)
- Half boiled eggs (telur stenga masak)


Loke Tien

Lok Tien is a Chinese seafood restaurant that serves the best steamed fish in Mersing. The owner, Margaret, runs this bright and clean establishment, which was first opened by her grandfather. When eating at Lok Tien, ask Margaret what is fresh, and she generally recommends a couple of dishes. We haven't once had to look at the menu.

What to order at Lok Tien:
- Steamed fish (The red grouper is the best!)
- Prawn dumplings (A specialty of Lok Tien)
- Whatever is fresh