"We're surprised you ordered that!"

I stopped by the Hari Raya celebration in Malay Village this weekend. It's just down the street from my apartment and happens throughout September until the end of Ramadan. It kicks off at night when the Muslims break their daily fasting. Lots of food, shopping, and drink to be had.

I tried some Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza), and probably won't try it again. Then I went to the drink stand and as I often do here, asked to have what the person in front of me ordered. I must have looked funny when I took my first sip because 3 women beside me asked how I liked it. It's good, I said. Pause. What am I drinking, I asked. Turns out it was Chin Chow, a traditional cooling drink in SE Asia. We're surprised you ordered that, they said

How to make Chin Chow:
Dump brown sugar, grass jelly, & red beans into a cup. Add soy milk.