Penang Coconut Jelly--A Drink to Have During a Scorching, Hot Day

Photos Courtesy of M0e Nasrul's Personal Collection

We all know Penang is famous for its Nasi Kandar, Pasembur, Rojak, Nasi Briyani, and other hawkers delicacies. We all fight about which stall serves the best Nasi Kandar. Some say Line Clear near Komtar, but i begged to differ. I think the best Nasi Kandar is Nasi Kandar Beratur near Masjid Kapitan Keling. They start operating at 11pm, and yet you will find a long queue waiting to be served.

Despite all personal taste, there is one place in Penang that everyone agrees that serves the best thirst quencher during a hot day. No, not the Swatow Lane Ice Kacang, or Khong Khwee Street Cendol.

It's Joez Coconut Jelly at Dato Keramat Road.

This is a very small shop at a pre-war house at Dato Keramat Road that serves Penangite its original coconut jelly. When my girl took me there last saturday, i was amazed at how many people were queuing outside to buy its coconut jelly at such a rundown shop. But this is Penang. Penangite loves a good food hunt and discovering food treasure trove. My girl bought six coconut jelly for her family.

Upon opening the coconut, i thought there wasn't any difference. First thing that struck my mind was it could be the pandan fragrant of the coconut that made it special. I knew i was wrong when i scooped out the water--it is actually jelly!

The shopowner told me that the jelly is formed from the hot and cold process of roasting the coconut and then place it in the cooler room. No preservative is added.

Photos are courtesy of Moe Nasrul's Personal Collection

This is really refreshing, especially if you have it chilled. You don't have to be in Penang to try this cooling and detoxing drink. You can even do it at your home:

1. Buy young (pandan-species) coconut.
2. Cut open the top of the coconut, drain the water, mix jelly powder, and pour it back in the shell. Keep in refrigerator to chill.
3. If you want to go all original, you can place the whole coconut in your freezer. After it has been frozen, place it down the fridge. Once the coconut has been frozen, it won’t change back its property into liquid but instead in jelly form.