Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly: Handmade Grass Jelly!

There’s something comforting about a dish or drink with a “grandmother” or “granny” tag to it. Calling it “grandma’s recipe” lends a traditional homecooked flavour that just makes it sound more mouth-watering.

In the case of Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly, “granny” isn’t inserted as part of the stall’s name just for the sake of making it sound enticingly homemade. “Granny” is actually the owner’s late grandmother, who started peddling chin chow back in 1946 when street hawkers plied Beach Road. Madam Sim Sai Geok retired when she was 68 and today, her grandson, Yeo Hwee Seng, 48, runs the stalls with relatives. As a tribute to Madam Sim, a photo of “beloved granny” is displayed at the stall.

The grass jelly is handmade daily at the stall and its recipe harks back to the days when Grandma Sim first sold her chin chow. While it’s smooth and slippery as you would expect chin chow to be, Zhao An’s version is more concentrated in flavour with a delightful springy texture. It’s also not too sweet with a soft hint of pandan leaf fragrance.

A chilled cup of grass jelly ($1) is heaven on a hot, sweltering day. Or make it slightly more “fanciful” with the addition of palm seeds ($1.50), longans or sea coconut ($1.80). The three varieties are served in bowls topped with crushed ice–absolutely no-frills but such utterly refreshing desserts!

Rating: 4/5

Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly

#01-58 Golden Mile Food Centre

505 Beach Road

Tel: 91467313 (for bulk orders)

Opening hours: Daily: 10am-8pm