Making Ondeh Ondeh at Home: A Little Taste of Southeast Asian Joy (and How to Keep Them Fresh)

There’s something quietly magical about Ondeh Ondeh (also spelled onde-onde or known as klepon in Indonesia). These soft, chewy, bright-green glutinous rice balls, filled with molten gula melaka (palm sugar) and rolled in lightly salted grated coconut, deliver a perfect burst of sweetness with every bite. Popular across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, they’re the kind of traditional kuih that feels both nostalgic and instantly comforting—whether you’re serving them with afternoon tea or as a simple after-dinner treat.

The best part? They’re surprisingly approachable to make at home. And once you’ve batch-cooked a tray of these little green jewels, storing the leftovers properly keeps that chewy texture and fragrant pandan aroma intact longer. That’s where Fresh Pantry’s FreshPrep™️ stainless steel storage containers come in—airtight, leak-proof, stackable, and designed to lock in freshness and flavour without the plastic aftertaste.

A Quick Look at Fresh Pantry’s Collection

Founded by two Singapore mums, Steph and Debbs, Fresh Pantry focuses on practical, durable stainless steel solutions that help busy households cut food waste and keep ingredients tasting better for longer. Their lineup includes:

  • FreshPreserve™️ — vacuum-sealed containers that keep produce up to 5x fresher by locking out air.
  • FreshPrep™️ — airtight stainless steel containers (freezer-, microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe) ideal for sauces, herbs, leftovers, and prepared foods. These are the ones that shine for storing finished Ondeh Ondeh.
  • MealPrep™️ — versatile stainless steel prep bowls with bamboo lids that double as cutting boards.
  • FreshBag™️ — reusable vacuum-sealed bags for freezer storage.

The FreshPrep™️ range stands out for everyday use: 304-grade stainless steel that’s anti-bacterial, stain-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and non-porous. The airtight lids help preserve moisture and flavour while keeping air (and fridge odours) out. They’re stackable for organised fridge or pantry shelves and are the only line in the collection officially microwave-safe—handy if you want to gently reheat a few balls later.

Simple Ondeh Ondeh Recipe

Makes about 25–30 pieces Time 30–40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 200–250 g glutinous rice flour
  • 180–200 ml pandan juice (blend pandan leaves with water and strain, or use extract + water)
  • 100–150 g gula melaka or palm sugar, chopped
  • 100–150 g grated coconut
  • Pinch of salt

Steps

  1. Mix flour and pandan juice into a soft dough. Rest 15 minutes.
  2. Steam grated coconut with a pinch of salt for 2–3 minutes; cool.
  3. Flatten small pieces of dough, add a bit of gula melaka in the centre, seal, and roll into balls.
  4. Boil until they float (plus 1–2 more minutes). Drain and roll in the coconut.

Serve warm for the best molten centre.

Storing Your Ondeh Ondeh the Smart Way

Ondeh Ondeh are at their absolute best the day they’re made. Fresh coconut can spoil relatively quickly, and the dough can firm up or dry out. For leftovers:

  • Let them cool completely.
  • Transfer to a FreshPrep™️ stainless steel container. The airtight seal helps retain moisture so the balls stay softer longer and protects them from absorbing fridge odours.
  • Refrigerate for up to 1–3 days (texture is best within the first day or two).

To reheat: Steam gently for a few minutes, or cover with a damp paper towel and microwave briefly in short bursts until softened. The microwave-safe nature of FreshPrep™️ containers makes this especially convenient—no transferring to another dish.

For longer storage, freeze uncooked, sugar-filled balls on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to a month. Boil straight from frozen when ready.

By choosing stainless steel over plastic, you’re also reducing single-use waste and keeping flavours pure—exactly the kind of practical upgrade Fresh Pantry was created for. Their containers stack neatly, clean easily, and turn everyday leftovers (or a batch of homemade kuih) into something that still feels intentional and fresh.

Whether you’re introducing friends to this Southeast Asian classic or simply treating yourself after a long day, a tray of homemade Ondeh Ondeh is pure comfort. Make a batch, enjoy the warm ones straight away, and tuck the rest into a FreshPrep™️ container so tomorrow’s snack is almost as good as today’s. Little rituals like this—simple cooking, better storage, less waste—make the kitchen feel a bit more joyful.

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