Who says old-school spots can't Chill? This Batam dessert shop is something else
qponx
2026-03-06
Think old-school dessert shops are boring? Think again! Batam's Balai Aboleng Mitra 2, a spot since 1990, has a stunning modern makeover perfect for chilling. While the vibe is contemporary, the flavors are classic. Dive into their signature Aboleng (glutinous rice balls) with warm ginger soup and don't dare skip the legendary crispy fried popiah. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgic tastes and a cool, comfortable atmosphere for your next hangout.
Honestly, when I heard we were going to a time-honored dessert shop that opened in 1990, I pictured one of those traditional, old-school places. But when we pulled up to `Balai Aboleng Mitra 2`, I was just like, Anjay! The storefront is so modern! It's been unbelievably upgraded inside and out, super contemporary, yet it still has that warm, homey feeling, perfect for coming to nongkrong![1]
After sitting down, it was time to get straight to business—I came for that taste of "grandma's" comforting flavor, after all.[2]
A Record of My Order, No Disappointments
Signature Aboleng (Glutinous Rice Balls)
This has to be the star of the show![3] The warm ginger soup warms you up completely as it goes down. The glutinous rice balls are so soft and chewy, and you can mix and match the fillings. My favorite is the peanut and black sesame combo—the rich, nutty aroma just explodes in your mouth. Simply Mantap!
Fried Popiah (Popiah)
Girls, take my advice, whatever you do, don't skip this fried popiah![4] It's a must-order for me every time. The skin is fried to a golden, crispy perfection, but it's not greasy at all. The stir-fried vegetable filling inside has the perfect balance of savory and sweet—the texture is incredible!
Mochi Ice Series
In this Batam weather, how can you go without something to beat the heat? I tried the Osmanthus Mochi Ice[5]. The shaved ice, paired with a light, sweet osmanthus syrup and chewy mochi, cools you right down to the core. So chill～
My Honest Take…
Although I personally love it, I have to be objective for a moment: if you usually prefer less sweet food, you might find their desserts a bit on the sweet side. A friend of mine complained that the filling and the soup for the glutinous rice balls were too sweet, almost overwhelmingly so[6]. So for my friends who can't handle too much sweetness, you might want to keep that in mind when ordering. But to be fair, the service from the staff is really good; they are all friendly and attentive.[7]
The Editor's Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls
- 1. Ordering Hack: When you order the `Aboleng` glutinous rice balls, you can mix and match the fillings! The peanut and black sesame flavors are the undisputed killer combo—you can't go wrong ordering them blindly.[8]
- 2. Must-Order Snack: I'll say it again, the `Popiah` is the soul of this place. If you don't order it, you might as well have not come!
- 3. Holiday Notice: If you plan on visiting during the Winter Solstice Festival (Ciak Yi), remember that the shop does not take reservations by phone or chat. You can only queue up in person or order through a delivery platform.[9]
- Dessert shop since 1990, but the store is unbelievably **Modern**! Sisters, for a **nongkrong** spot, this is it! [1]
- The Fried Popiah: golden crispy skin, sweet & savory filling. So good, it's a must-order every time! [2]
- Batam's ultimate heat-buster: Osmanthus Mochi Ice! Shaved ice with sweet osmanthus syrup & chewy mochi. One bite, instant cool! [3]
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