How much do you normally pay for a smoothie in Singapore? I’m pretty sure it’ll cost you well above S$5. That’s why it’s such a joy to stumble upon hidden gems like Penang A1 Chendol.
Located along Tampines Street 81, Penang A1 Chendol churns out fresh and affordable smoothies that will relieve you from the tropical heat. As the store name suggests, they are also known for their chendol.
Manned by a couple, foodies themselves, the store has been around for the past 18 years – a testament to their passion and dedication.
Penang A1 Chendol is definitely no stranger to Eastsiders, evident from the vast number of photos displayed on a wall in the store. A short chat with the couple revealed that most of their customers are from the schools that surround the estate.
They even cater for gatherings and events all over Singapore, and after reading the rave reviews, I couldn’t wait to try it for myself.
Chendols are aplenty in Singapore, but finding a good one is a challenge. As the stall owners meticulously prepared a bowl of chendol for me, I could smell the sweet fragrance of the dessert as it was taking shape, and I knew this was going to be good.
Their Traditional Chendol (S$3) can be served either in the normal fashion (in a bowl), or in smoothie form. I preferred mine in a bowl.
A generous amount of gula melaka was drizzled over the top of the shaved ice, with sizeable red beans and pandan jelly completing the bowl.
I must say, being a chendol lover, this was as good as it can possibly get. The richness of the gula melaka and coconut permeated every mouthful. It tasted authentic, fresh, and so good.
I can only assume that this same goodness will apply to the smoothie version as well, so give that a try when you’re at Penang A1 Chendol! Just remember to consume the chendol on the spot as it melts rather quickly.
Moving on to Penang A1 Chendol’s popular smoothies, my friend and I tried several different flavours, starting with the D-24 Durian Smoothie (S$4.50/regular, S$5/large).
Real D24 durian flesh can be found in every cup they serve, and with a durian gelato base to boot, this is definitely one sinful treat.
To my surprise, it wasn’t too sweet! The smoothie had a very thick, icy consistency which was also surprisingly refreshing despite it being durian flavoured. The lady boss told us that the sweetness of all of their fruit smoothies comes mainly from the fruits, not from artificial sweeteners.
When it comes to durian, we Singaporeans will know if it’s authentic or if it’s just durian essence. I can vouch that this is a cup of pure goodness, with durian and nothing else.
Next, we tried the Mango Smoothie (S$3.50/regular, S$4/large). Chunks of mango were added on top of the drink, further amplifying the flavour of the smoothie.
The Mango Smoothie had the same thick consistency as the D-24 Durian Smoothie. It also had an additional creamy and milky texture to it. Thankfully, the Mango Smoothie was also not as sweet as I was expecting, though the fruits were ripe and a joy to eat.
Unlike the D-24 Durian Smoothie, the Mango Smoothie was rather dense and thus wasn’t as refreshing. Then again, that didn’t do much to stop me from drinking it all up because it was so tantalising.
The Black Forest Smoothie (S$3.50/regular, S$4/large) was another interesting drink and was actually my favourite of the lot. The lovely lady boss wanted to turn her cake recipe into a smoothie and this is the delicious result.
The chocolate crumbs gave the drink a nice texture and crunch, so do remember to stir it before drinking. As I took a sip of the Black Forest Smoothie, the chocolate flavour hit my palate first, followed by a mild fruity taste, contributed by the little bits of berries found in the smoothie.
As I am a sucker for chocolate, I gobbled this up in no time. I loved how there was a fine balance between the chocolate flavour and the fruity element of the smoothie, both complementing the other well.
Lastly, we had the Thai Tea Smoothie (S$3/regular, S$3.50/large). This smoothie had a rougher texture as the ice was coarser.
I actually preferred it this way, as I could nibble on the little bits of ice. The Thai Tea Smoothie tasted quite similar to the milk teas found in Thailand, minus the sweetness (phew!).
The strong fragrance of the tea was apparent the moment I took a sip of the smoothie. Like all of their smoothies, it was thick and creamy, with a mild milky aftertaste. Sipping this on a warm and humid day was really quite the thirst-quencher!
In a world of increasingly expensive smoothies and desserts, Penang A1 Chendol has won my heart and taste buds with their affordable smoothies and chendol.
Even after consuming so many smoothies in one sitting, I did not feel jelak at all. In fact, I wanted more. I guess this is why people from all over Singapore flock to the East to try them. Maybe you should too!
Expected Damage: S$3 – S$5 per pax
Price: $
Our Rating: 4.5 / 5
Penang A1 Chendol
822 Tampines Street 81, #01-186, Singapore 520822
Penang A1 Chendol
822 Tampines Street 81, #01-186, Singapore 520822
