Post by Chiefeater Yong Choy Peng

Take a stroll near KL Central Market and as you pass by the huge-looking WAU, you will come to a walkway with lots of mini stalls selling food. One such stall I highly recommend is the Putu Bambu Stall.

Priced at RM5 a packet, each pack consists of 5 rolls of deliciously fragrant putu bambu in fragrant pandan flavour and coconut flakes.

When served hot it is even more yummy.

What is Putu Bambu?

Putu bambu is a popular and iconic dessert in Malay cuisine. It has a unique cylindrical shape and sweet, fragrant taste. It is made from a mixture of rice flour, tapioca flour, and pandan juice, which is then steamed in bamboo tubes along with gula melaka (palm sugar) and grated coconut.

The preparation of putu bambu involves pouring the rice flour mixture into the bamboo tubes, layering it with gula melaka and grated coconut, and then steaming the tubes until the putu bambu is cooked. The resulting dessert is soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy, with a delicate flavor and aroma of pandan and coconut.

Putu bambu is often served as a snack or dessert, and is commonly sold by street vendors in Malaysia. It is usually enjoyed with a sprinkle of grated coconut and a drizzle of gula melaka syrup, which adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the dish.

Due to its popularity, putu bambu can be found in many parts of Malaysia, whether within KL Central Market or villages. It is considered to be a staple of Malay cuisine, and is often served during festivals and special occasions, such as weddings and religious celebrations.