Wednesday 21 March 2012

Whole Lotta Rosie Eats Her Way Across Singy

What is the black goo?
Some people spend their entire life pursuing the Fountain of Youth or the elusive Holy Grail. While my goal is not as lofty, it is as important to me as finding the Lost Ark was to Indiana Jones. I might not have to battle snakes to reach my evanescent treasure but if you pay close attention, you will see the odd rat scurrying about.

I have made it my mission to hunt down the best Ice Kacang in Singapore; a dessert I had never heard of until three weeks ago. R2 and I were sitting in a Hawker's station when an elderly lady walked by with a bowl full of "something" almost bigger than she was. We watched her tackle the red and green mountainous mystery with such gusto that we had to investigate further.

Mango anyone?
After some super-sleuthing and the great powers of observations that never elude the unlikely duo of R2 and Layna in Asia, we realized this strange concoction was called Ice Kacang. After more poking around we deduce there is an island fight for who makes best rendition of this saccharine, frigid treat. R2 came to the brillant conclusion I must blog about this extraordinary masterpiece that hails from Malyasia and is loved by many.

As I usually do, I tell R2 he is loco because I am not going to tackle this mammoth bank of shaved ice. Not only is it covered in two colours of sticky syrup and condensed milk, to make it all the more strange is the fact there are mushy red beans and corn hidden in the dessert. Also, black grass jelly and attap chee (palm nuts) hide in the middle of the snow; what these delicacies are, I don't know. In true Layna fashion, I cave to R2's silliness, knowing this dessert is quite fascinating for my "soon-to-come" visitors. My only stipulation of writing about Ice Kacang is that we have to sample as many locales temptations as we can so I know what I am writing. I mean, really, why would you eat dessert with beans and corn? In Mexico you call that dinner. In Canada, you call that Taco Bell.

The following night we discover a highly recommended stand located within walking distance to our home. We put on our sensible trainers and start the humid hike to Joo Chiat. After a little iPhone assistance, we pin-pointed the tiny dessert station in the basement of one of the thousands of hawker stations located throughout the country.

Ken making his famous dessert
I had my $1.50 in my hot and sweaty palm and I told Ken, the owner of Ken's Delights I wanted my ice covered in Mango fruit and not Durian. R2 is still hounding me to sample Durian but the thought of eating this soiled-nappie smelling fruit isn't on my "to-do" list, just yet.  Maybe at the six month mark but I am still a Singapore virgin so I haven't worked my tolerance for repulsiveness up to durian level quite yet.  R2 can fool some of the people some of the time, but he can never fool Layna, any of the time!  At least not when it comes to eating stinky-cheese food.

I asked the owner if I could take his photo and he just gave me a huge smile. All the other "chefs" assembled and started to tease him about being famous.  We seemed to gather a lot of attention because I don't think a lot of foreigners trot into this minute local haunt, being as excited as I was to try this dessert.

Corn ice - what a concept!
I imagined the Kacang was going to be as simple as a snow cone we all used to beg our parents for at a myriad of summertime events. I hate to admit it, but I was as wrong as I could be.  This strange mountain of sweetness was incredible.  It is the perfect dessert when you are melting in the relentless Singapore sun.  R2 would disagree with me. He was put off by the "gummy bears".  I believe he was refering to the palm nuts but to him, they were giggly ju-jubes.  And to quote him, "This Mexican Beaner does not like the cold beans."  He thought the corn in a dessert was unorthodox to a Latino. At least Ken was delighted to see me enjoying his creation.  He gave me an even bigger smile when he saw I finished the entire bowl, only stopping to take pics.

Stop the madness....
Since we indulged in Kacang I have made it my lifework to find the finest in Singapore. Like all things in life, some bowls are better than others, some people add peanuts and many add fruit and hide coconut in the middle of the ice. I am just happy to have something that cools me down, especially after a spicy bowl of French beans and chillis or red-hot claypots in the sweltering heat.  If I continue down this road of over indulging, ACDC's Whole Lotta Rosie is going to be my new anthem.

Another masterpiece
One bowl at a time
R2 has given up on Ice Kacang and is now sampling other Malay delights like Chendol; another dessert that makes no sense to me but is popular among the locals. Perhaps his palate is more sophisticated than my hicktown taste buds. Be that as it may, I have seen him eat chilli and lime grasshopper tacos in Oaxaca and have spindly, long bug legs sticking out of his mouth, so I am not sure he is the King of Discerning Taste. Not the most charming image of your newly wedded husband, but it is one I will carry to my grave.

There are still thousands of dessert stands to try on The Little Red Dot. It is a tough job, but someone has to end the fight once and for all on who reigning Ice Kacang King. I believe if I try one per night, I might complete the island before we return to Canada, where the entire country is one massive Ice Kacang.

All I ask for my heroic efforts can someone shop at Tent and Awning and send me some new clothes once I have eaten my way from Changi to Joo Koon up to the Straits of Johor Bahru?





(Follow Layna in Asia on Mexico on My Mind site for her perspective of travels in Mexico)

33 comments:

  1. I still think it is weird... If someone wants corn in a snack, we in Mexico call it Esquites (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esquites), commonly available with street vendors, some more spicy than others and always a chance to catch typhoid fever.

    But to put frijoles (beans) in your dessert is almost as eating chicken with chocolate :p

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_(sauce)

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    1. Better than eating grasshoppers on your honeymoon and even posing with ladies selling huge basketful of them! Chicken and Chocolate - yummy. Chocolate goes with everything! That is what women think.

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  2. A note from Jacquie: Ok, once again I admire your sense of adventure. You are a brave woman Layna, but at least this treat was sweet, regardless of what was in it. It actually sounds yummy to me. And don't worry about gaining weight. By the sounds of it you will be sweating it all off walking to find the next dessert seller. In Hawaii I ate that sweet snow cone-like concoction, but I didn't like it. Tooo sweet,and too much food coloring. Ick!
    Enjoy1

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  3. I would love to try this dessert! sounds yummy!!

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  4. And I thought I was brave drinking a bubble tea from the local Filipino cafe the other day - YOU GO GIRL!!!!

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    1. Well, I am off to the Philippines soon....hey, I thought that was Vietnamese bubble tea? Well, wherever the bubbles come from, I am going to that country or have already been!

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  5. I can't wait to try it layna!! Only 1 more month!!


    -Sam

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    1. That's the spirit. The bowl is bigger than you though. You won't be able to eat all day just to finish how big it is.

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  6. Next stop, Chocolate sauce and Marshmallows on burgers!


    LOOKIE

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    1. Who would've thunka people can eat jelly donuts filled with burgers?

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burger

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    2. Blechhhhh to both of those ideas...how about dill pickle chip dip on chocolate cake? Or chili pepper on watermelon?

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  7. This looks totally revolting - but I'll try it! If it's dessert I'm game but not game enough to try bugs in Mexico! In three months I assume you'll have discovered the supremest of the supreme for my dining adventure. Hugs, sista!

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    1. You better try it....and the Pig intestines. What a yummy combo for you. I can hardly wait for you to see some of the delicacies. Very different from Canada.

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  8. I am really enjoying reading about your mom's adventures! She's a wonderful writer. RP

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  9. Thank you for your kind words. Makes the writing all the more fun knowing people are enjoying as much as enjoy the crazy antics.

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  10. We loved your Singapore ice lolly story! Please keep 'em coming!

    We especially loved your Mexican "car-running-out-of-gas" story and howled with laughter. You should send it to Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm/Seinfeld. You have a future as a sit-com writer!
    M&H! Air Kisses.

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    1. Sounds like a plan. I love that show! Not something I see in Singy as I watch Bollywood TV and fun Malay soap operas. I have no idea what they are saying but the heartache and plots translates through many languages! Cheers.

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  11. if you like blue cheese, there's a good chance you will like the taste of durian! I happen to love both, but I only have one sister-in-law who likes durian, so I don't get to eat it very often.
    DK

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    1. Fruit that tastes like stinky Blue Cheese. Sounds suspect to me! Will let you know when I get up my courage.

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  12. L, really enjoyed all of your sisters blog stories, thanks for sharing.
    M.

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    1. You can be certain, I will feature L when she comes for a visit!!!

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  13. GROSS! i've heard enough! i'll just have a regular snow corn thnk you very much..!

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    Replies
    1. When in Rome, do as the Asians do.....???? Say What?

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  14. I want to throw up thinking about eating one of these!

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    1. I will find one for you sans the corn, Miss Rikki.

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  15. Hey Bud .. Love the stories .. Glad to hear your getting Published

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    1. Thank you Edward. Glad to see you following!

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  16. noo i just want a normal snow cone please

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    1. When you visit me....all guests must try!

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  17. Bloody brilliant story. Funny and informative. We want a book here in Asia

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  18. You're articles are great to read and love the humor you put into
    everything. Glad to hear the redhead is keeping out of trouble!!
    Dave

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    1. Hey, who said I was keeping out of trouble?

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