Punjabi Sugar Fix

KL's train system, while impressively extensive, has a few glitches.  Major glitch: all the lines are owned and operated by separate companies.  Apparently companies in question did not coordinate when planning stations.  As a result, there are woefully few spots in the system where one can transfer from one line to the other (say, from monorail to LRT); even at transfer points, one may have to exit a train station and walk a bit to get to the other.  A minor quibble, really, given the quality of the grub here (you can see where I place my priorities).  And given that it was on the long, hot, open-to-tropical-downpours haul from monorail to LRT at the Sentral transfer point that I discovered Jesal Sweethouse, I'm even more inclined to be forgiving.

Jesal has a website and a proper store in Ampang, so I suspect it's been around a while and has a slew of steady customers.  Their operation right at the entrance of the covered arcade leading from the monorail at Sentral to KL Sentral Station is more makeshift, just a banner and a couple of tables loaded with Punjabi sweets, fronting a slapdash-ish open prep area.  It does a steady business, not all of which, I suspect, can be attributed to its commuter-friendly location.

Craving sugar after a spicy lunch on Sunday, we went in search of Jesal and were devastated by the presence of another shop in its spot in the arcade.  Not to worry ; as we soon discovered, Jesal has merely moved temporarily to a larger spot in the sprawling Deepvali (Indian festival of lights) bazaar behind the arcade.  And, happily, for the period leading up to Deepvali its offerings at the Sentral spot are greatly expanded.

This lady is running the show, no doubt about it.

Tasting is very much encouraged, even expected.  "Try this, darling, it's very good," she says, handing me a piece of cashew sweet topped with silver leaf.  "One hundred percent cashews, nothing else save for a bit of sugar."  It is very good, and I say so.  She's unsurprised and proceeds to fill a container for me.

"Now this."  Very nice, these lentil balls, spiced with a bit of cardamom -- but I'm in the mood for something richer.  Lentils are so wholesome; if I'm going to be bad I want to be really bad.

Ah, now this I haven't seen before at an Indian sweets shop: chocolate and coconut "bars".  As a kid I loved Almond Joy and Mounds bars; in my book a coco-choco combo is beaten only (and barely) by a coco-palm sugar combo.  These are wonderful -- not a fudge bomb,  nor a death by chocolate ... just lots and lots of shredded coconut, moistly bound by unassertive but true chocolate flavor.  The kind of wan (but good) chocolate flavor that means there'll be no need to stop at 1, or 5, or 8.  Load 'em up, please, and while you're at it how about a few of those other chocolate things, the ones with the nuts instead of coconut.  And throw in a few of those milky nut sweets (Jesal offers a second version, topped with pistachios) for a healthy balance.

On the ride home, I wondered what the heck we were going to do with three tubs of Indian sweets.  But they didn't last 24 hours. 

And I haven't even begun to explore Jesal's savory offerings.

[I'd welcome any and all help identifying the sweets in this post's pictures.]

Jesal Sweethouse, at the Sentral Station arcade Deepvali bazaar until November 1.  After a two-week hiatus, find Jesal in its old spot at the entrance to the arcade, or visit the store at No. 45-2 Ground Floor, Leboh Ampang. Pssst ... Jesal takes special orders for kulfi <swoon>, paneer, khoya, and rasmalai.  Tel. 03-2031-6773.

Comments

[Sticky]

Bloody Hell - that joint wouldn't want to be at my station! I'd be a fat bastard in a week. It all looks so good. How does that stuff keep, btw?

[Sue]

Wow! It looks so rich and sweet! I love the colours and shapes Punjabi/Indian sweets come in! They're so pretty! Btw, I tagged you for the 23/5 meme, enjoy doing it! :)

[Tan]

It's Deepavali next month and I can't wait to visit my grandmother's house for some of those sweet stuff! I especially like the coconut candy, in pink and green hehe.

[Robyn]

Sticky -- actually I find the deal with Indian sweets is they are all lovely to look at but not all are equally delicious. Some are a bit too *too* sweet and one-dimensional for my taste. They keep OK ... but tend to dry out a bit after a day or two. The balls soaked in sugar syrup (didn't get a pic -- gosh I love those) keep better.
Hi Sue ... well, I guess I have 23 now so why not. But do I really have to tag 5 other bloggers? I don't *know* 5 other bloggers who haven't already been tagged for it!
Tan -- lucky you, looking forward to homemade Indian sweets. Can you give me the names for any of this stuff?

[RST]

The images are not close enough to distinguish, but since you described the first sweet as pure cashew, I am guessing that it is kaju katli (rather than a halwa or kalakand). The balls are ladoo (ladu, laddu etc). The chocolate bars are coconut burfi.

[Sue]

No worries about tagging another 5 ppl to do it. Can just blog about it and leave it at that like what Babe_KL did! Hope you have fun doing it. I really enjoy reading your blogs and looking at your superb photography! :)

[Robyn]

Thanks Sue, will pass your compliments along to my husband Dave, as he is this blog's photographer!

[priya]

pls post the recipes for the above sweets

[JASPREET KAUR]

Hi act i m looking forward to order gulab jamu from ur shop do you'll sell gulab jamu

[Gayathrie]

Hi there. Can someone please advise me on where to buy varq in kl? It's also known as edible foil. It's the silver stuff you have on some indian sweets. Thanks :-)