Once a sleepy farming town, Bentong is now commonly flocked by tourists hoping to buy fresh produce like the town’s famous ginger. If you happen to be one of these tourists, consider making a pit stop at the old establishment that is TAK Ice Cream Corner.
An old-school shop
Image Credit: Roy Yap on Google Review
TAK has been around for over 50 years now, with the dessert shop having been passed down through generations. It gets its name from its founder and late family patriarch, Tan Ah Kau. Ask any local for directions, and they will be happy to help.
The shop is located along a narrow one-way road, so it is advisable to park a distance away before proceeding on foot. It is a rather old-school shop, with a simple signboard and simpler interiors. Despite the lack of air-conditioning, the place is surprisingly cool even on hot days.
Lunch crowds are often a good way of telling just how popular a restaurant is. As it happens, even on non-school holidays, TAK has a good chance of being filled to the brim. Locals and tourists throng this place, hoping to find relief from the sweltering heat.
Cheap but good desserts
Image Credit: Lee Wai Chong on Google Review (Left), How Shu Jun on Google Review (Right)
Relief is, indeed, in abundance here, with TAK selling all sorts of traditional shaved ice desserts. Forget bingsu, when you have cendol and ice kacang. The best part about all this? Prices are all below RM10, so you can cool down without breaking the bank.
The TAK Special
Image Credit: S T on Google Review (Left), Lor Shelly on Google Review (Right)
Menu specials are always a good way to start one’s meal, so one should first check out the TAK Special. This is a shaved ice dessert with a pretty pink hue and slices of watermelon. The slices sometimes stick out from the ice like a cat’s ears, so get that camera ready.
The TAK Special always comes topped with ice cream and is served with portions of corn and red bean. Speaking of ice cream, have we mentioned that TAK has three homemade flavours? These are taro, coconut and pandan, respectively.
Cendol & a dessert for lovebirds
Image Credit: Mike Javen Ng on Google Review (Left), KJ P on Google Review (Right)
Is a cendol good without gula melaka? Not that TAK’s Cendol is made without gula melaka, but the palm sugar is sourced from Bentong. Joke aside, the shop mostly serves its cendol in cups, rather than the usual bowls.
The cendol here has all the things that make a good cendol. Portions are generous, with the gula melaka (Bentong?) being especially so. It is also easy to mix the ingredients together as everything is kept inside a conveniently shaped cup.
If you are visiting Bentong with a loved one, perhaps try the romantically-named Love At First Sight? Like the cendol, it is served inside a cup, but this dessert has lots of sweet pink syrup that would make Cupid blush. Even if you are a solo traveller, it’s worth the sugar rush.
Worth your time?
At a time when dessert shops are popping up like mushrooms after rain, it is nice to find a place that still sells sweet treats from yesteryear. So, the next time you are visiting Bentong, perhaps make some time to cool down here with a quenching dessert.
TAK Ice Cream Corner
Address: 89, Jalan Chui Yin, 28700 Bentong, Pahang
Opening Hours: 11 am – 5 pm weekdays | 11 am – 6 pm weekends | Closed on Tuesdays
Contact: 016-9627293
Halal Status: Pork-free
You should also check out: A bar closing at 1am? Normal. But a tea-based dessert bar closing at 1 am? It’s real & in Puchong
Feature Image Credit: Ken Wong on Google Review (Left), L K on Google Review (Right)