Bubur Cha Cha
A vibrant and comforting Malaysian dessert soup featuring tender cubes of yam and sweet potato simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth, sweetened with palm sugar and studded with chewy sago pearls.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Sweet potato
- 200 g Taro (yam)
- 800 ml Coconut milk(Use full-fat for a richer dessert. Divide into two 400ml cans if needed.)
- 50 g Sago pearls
- 100 g Palm sugar (Gula Melaka)
- 200 ml Water(For cooking sago.)
- 2 pieces Pandan leaves(Optional, for fragrance)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the root vegetables: Ensure the peeled sweet potato and taro are cut into uniform 1.5 cm cubes. This ensures even cooking.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Cook the root vegetables: In a medium saucepan, combine the cubed sweet potato and taro with enough water to just cover them. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain any excess water.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Cook the sago pearls: While the root vegetables are cooking, rinse the sago pearls under cold water. In a separate small saucepan, bring 200ml of water to a boil. Add the rinsed sago pearls, stir, and cook over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pearls are translucent with only a tiny white dot in the center. Drain the sago pearls and rinse them under cold water to prevent them from sticking together. Set aside.
⏱️ 12 minutes - 4
Infuse the coconut milk: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the coconut milk, chopped palm sugar, and knotted pandan leaves (if using). Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the palm sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is fragrant. Do not boil, as this can cause the coconut milk to curdle. This should take about 5-8 minutes.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 5
Combine and simmer: Add the cooked sweet potato and taro cubes to the coconut milk mixture. Gently stir in the cooked sago pearls. Continue to simmer over low heat for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dessert to thicken slightly. Remove the pandan leaves before serving.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Serve: Bubur Cha Cha can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Ladle into individual bowls.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor and creamier texture, use full-fat coconut milk.
- ✓Ensure the root vegetables are cooked until just tender, not mushy, to maintain their shape and texture.
- ✓Rinsing the sago pearls after cooking is crucial to prevent them from clumping.
- ✓Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less palm sugar to your preference.
- ✓The knotted pandan leaves add a beautiful aroma; if unavailable, you can omit them.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other root vegetables like purple sweet potato or taro varieties for more color.
- Include cooked tapioca pearls or chewy rice flour balls (like those in tong sui) for added texture.
- A pinch of salt can enhance the sweetness and overall flavor profile.