Vietnam is well known for his atypic gastronomy pleasing the Vietnamese as much as the Occidental. However Vietnamese treats stay quite unknown because considered having not an appealing look, and completly at the opposite of the Occidental esthetic and taste criteria. But even if the Vietnamese desserts could seem to westerners, very « poor,» most of them are not and are even delicious. Give it a try!
PART 1 – THE CHE
Chè describe in general any traditional Vietnamese sweet beverage you can drink or eat at as snack or desert. It tends to incorporate, vegetable, fruits, seeds, beans, glutinous rice, tapioca powder and coconuts milk. There are many varieties of “chè, ” and theses mildly sweet things don’t always have the most sexiest look but the people who tried are totally addicted to this unforgettable kind of sweet treat!
Chè bưởi
The chè bưởi has a smooth, mellow sweet taste obtain by a pile of jellied pomelo peel in a mug and topped with mung beans, coconuts cream, and peanuts.
Banana with Sago Pearls and Coconut Milk Sweet Soup – Chè Chuối
The Chè Chuối is a delicious daily sweet dessert served as a soup made with a special type of banana called “chuối xiêm,” cooked in coconut milk with sago pearls. This dessert has a sweet and creamy flavor, a delicate banana scent, and looks like a pudding.
Sweet Glutinous Rice Dumplings – Chè Trôi Nước
The “Chè trôi nước” is a type of glutinous rice dumpling served warm, filled with mung bean paste and cooked in sweet ginger syrup. “Chè trôi nước” are topped with white sesame and occasionally with some coconut milk. The golden, gooey syrup adds a sweet flavor and an aromatic ginger fragrance to the super-delicious sweet soup!
Vietnamese Sweet Corn Pudding – Chè Bắp
The “Chè bắp” is a typical Vietnamese pudding served warm or cold made with sweet corn, glutinous rice often topped with syrupy coconut milk and be toasted with sesame seeds. A very lovely summer treat!
The Three Colors Dessert – Chè Ba Màu
The “chè ba màu” is made of 3 types of jelly and beans covered in sweetened coconut milk. The ingredients used make the colors. This dessert is served cold in colorful layers.
Logan and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup – Chè Long Nhãn Hạt Sen
The “chè long nhãn is one of the most popular desserts among locals as it is believed it helps you to calm your nerves, reduce your stress and fatigue and contribute to improving your sleep. This dessert can be served warm or cold with ice and some drops of grapefruit flower oil. In Southern Vietnam, people tend to make this dessert with dried longan as the dried fruit can be found all year round.
Sweet Potato, Taro, and Cassava Dessert – Chè Bà Ba
This desert is made of piece cassava, taro, and sweet potatoes cooked in coconut milk and decorated with tapioca pearls, roasted sesame or peanuts. The creamy flavor and the sweetness make this dessert a wonderful snack for both hot and cold days!.
Almond Panna Cotta Lychee Dessert – Chè Khúc Bạch
The Che Khuc Bach is made from seaweed with lychee, almond, and can also contain some fruits as longan, kiwi, apple.
Where to find the best Chè in Saigon
Hoang Ty restaurant no.320 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3; New Street Food at no.143 D5 Street, BinhThanh District.
Khanh Vy Che tray shop (the Su Van Hanh street corner) Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, District 5
Xoi che Bui Thi Xuan, 111 Bui Thi Xuan, District 1
Che Ky Dong, 153/7 Ky Dong Street, Ward 9, District 3
Hot Che shop, 50 Ly Chinh Thang, Ward 7, District 3
Che Thai Y Phuong: 380 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District10.
Che Nha Den: 476 – 478 Tran Hung Dao, District 5.
Che Ky Dong: 153/7 Ky Dong, District 3.
“Chè 75” – 75 Tran Huy Lieu Street, Ward 12, Phu Nhuan District
