Ais Kacang @ Joo Yee (Tan Kee) in Taman Serene, Johor Bahru

 

Tan Kee Ice Kacang (Ais Kacang in Malay) in Taman Serene, JB has been the favourite among students for decades. Tan Kee has moved around JB over the years and is now located in the popular Taman Serene hawker centre opposite the famous San Low seafood restaurant.

The signboard which says Joo Yee (Tan Kee Pelangi 彩虹陈记) is a little confusing so I asked the lady at the stall, who was peeling gingko nuts, about it. She happened to be the owner. She told me that Tan Kee is the name of the old stall and Joo Yee is the name of her daughter who runs the stall now.
 

 

I imagine this Ais Kacang must have been etched in the minds of generations of former students as part of the fondest moments of their growing up years.

The mountain of crushed ice buries a generous amount of boiled red beans (hence it is called 红豆冰 in Chinese), corn, attap seed and topped with chocolate syrup. Tan Kee makes their own chocolate syrup from cocoa powder. (I heard that we are allowed unlimited chocolate toppings – this must be every student’s dream – but I didn’t try doing this.) The whole no frills concoction is not too sweet. Just an irresistible treat for the young and young at heart, especially on hot, humid days in sun drenched Malaysia. 

Joo Yee also serves grilled you char kway and tau pok which are also very popular.

I liked their grilled you char kway because that nutty gravy they poured over the crispy yet chewy you char kway was just so... savoury.

This is one cool desert place for a tête-à-tête.

 

Restaurant name: Joo Yee (Tan Kee Pelangi)

Address: Jalan Biru (stall in hawker centre opposite San Low seafood restaurant), Taman Serene, Johor Bahru

Map: http://g.co/maps/3mbu2
GPS: 1.471995,103.774527
Hours: Daily 7:00am to 5:00pm
Not certified Halal no pork, no lard served

Dates visited: 5 Jan 2012, 28 Dec 2012