Ais kacang
In its own language: اءيس كاچڠ
Shaved ice dessert with beans, sweet corn and colourful syrups
Ais kacang is a shaved ice dessert from Malaysia, also popular in Singapore and Brunei. It typically features red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, palm seed, and is topped with colourful syrups and milk. Once a simple mix of ice and beans, it now comes with a variety of toppings and is served at many food courts and hawker centres.
- Originally made with just shaved ice and red beans
- Now often topped with sweet corn, grass jelly, and palm seed
- Drizzled with colourful syrups and milk
- Commonly sold at hawker centres and food courts
- Known as ABC or air batu campur in Malaysia
What is Ais kacang?
Ais kacang is a dessert made from finely shaved ice, usually shaped into a mound and covered with a mix of sweet toppings. The base ingredients are red beans and sweet corn, with additions like grass jelly, palm seed, roasted peanuts, and cubes of agar agar. The ice is drizzled with colourful syrups, such as rose or pandan, and finished with evaporated, condensed or coconut milk. Some versions include fruit, ice cream, or novelty toppings. The result is a cold, sweet, and texturally varied treat, often brightly coloured.
Where does Ais kacang come from?
Ais kacang began appearing in Malaysia and Singapore in the early 20th century, when ice became more affordable. Early versions were simple, using only shaved ice and red beans, or sometimes green syrups and seaweed jelly. Over time, the dessert evolved, with the addition of syrups, beans, and other toppings. By the 1940s, the dish started to resemble its modern form, with a mound of ice, beans, fruit, syrup, and milk. Some earlier forms, like the ice ball, are no longer common.
How is Ais kacang made?
To make ais kacang, a machine shaves a block of ice into fine flakes, which are then piled into a bowl or dish. The shaved ice is topped with cooked red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, palm seed, and sometimes agar agar cubes or roasted peanuts. Colourful syrups, such as rose or pandan, are poured over the ice, followed by a drizzle of evaporated, condensed, or coconut milk. Some stalls add fruit, ice cream, or other toppings. The dessert is served immediately, cold and colourful.
How and when is Ais kacang eaten?
Ais kacang is usually eaten as a snack or dessert, especially in hot weather. It is commonly found at coffee shops, hawker centres, and food courts in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. People often share it with friends or family, enjoying the mix of textures and flavours. It is not tied to any particular festival or religious occasion, and is enjoyed as an everyday treat.
Kinds of Ais kacang
There are many regional and modern variations of ais kacang. In Malaysia, ingredients like attap chee (palm seed), agar agar, and peanuts are common, while some versions use palm sugar syrup instead of coloured syrups. In Singapore, toppings may include cendol, sago pearls, Milo, or fruit like durian and mango. Some stalls experiment with ice cream or chocolate syrup. Earlier versions, such as the ice ball, are now rare.
What Ais kacang means
Ais kacang is a familiar sight in Southeast Asian food courts and hawker centres, especially in Malaysia and Singapore. It reflects the region’s multicultural food scene, with influences from Malay, Chinese, and other communities. The dessert is associated with everyday life and hot weather, offering a cooling, sweet break. Its colourful appearance and variety of toppings make it popular with both locals and visitors.
Questions people ask about Ais kacang
What is ais kacang made of?
Ais kacang is made from shaved ice topped with red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, palm seed, and colourful syrups. It is often finished with evaporated, condensed, or coconut milk, and may include peanuts or agar agar.
Where does ais kacang come from?
Ais kacang comes from Malaysia and is also popular in Singapore and Brunei. It has been sold in these countries since the early 20th century.
How is ais kacang served?
Ais kacang is served cold, usually in a bowl or dish, with shaved ice piled high and covered with various sweet toppings and syrups.
Is ais kacang vegetarian?
Yes, ais kacang is vegetarian. It contains no meat or fish, and its main ingredients are plant-based, along with milk or coconut milk.
What does ais kacang taste like?
Ais kacang tastes sweet and refreshing, with a mix of textures from beans, jelly, and ice. The syrups and milk add flavour and colour.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Ais kacang", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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