While the use of coconut milk seems to suggest the dessert is from this region, Cendol (the green thingy) actually seems to have Chinese source which pass down through Peranakan tradition.

Cendol is identical with Southern Chinese silver needle noodle aka 老鼠粉/米篩目 in terms of outlook, making process, and the use of ingredients (except for the infusion of pandan extract). In Taiwan, 米篩目 are taken as dessert.
There is no source of staple food similar to silver needle noodle in this region.

It seems to me that the Peranakan source theory is very convincing.

When cultures come together, creativity is the result.

This post has been edited by Sycamore: Apr 22 2023, 10:37 AM