Che in Vietnam – From Fruit Sweet Soup to Roasted Pork Fillings

There is a wide variety of Chè in Vietnam. It is a decent dessert that brings happiness to all Vietnamese people of all ages.

If “chè” is translated into English, it means tea. However, in Vietnam, we have a totally different definition for this type of food. The term “chè” refers to a Vietnamese sweet beverage or dessert soup. This somehow explains why “chè” is one of the first “must-try” foods when you visit Vietnam. In this article, we recommend some popular kinds of “chè” from all parts of our country.

Pomelo sweet soup (Chè bưởi)

Chè bưởi is a typical food that Hanoi people like to eat when it comes to summer. In the excessively high temperature in Hanoi, rewarding yourself with a bowl of chè bưởi seems to be an amazing idea. You will be emerged in the sweetness of coconut milk, a little crispy of pomelo meat and the softness of mung bean. All of these elements combined together brings us a spectacular dessert that you can never forget.

Lotus seed and Longan sweet soup (Chè hạt sen long nhãn)

Different from pomelo sweet soup, which gives us the thick and sweet taste, this kind of chè is light and clear. Lotus seeds are simmered in sugar for long hours, then cooked with longans, a Southeast Asian fruit similar to lychees. If you have problems with sleeping, this dessert should definitely be your remedy as both ingredients will help you to sleep soundly.

Sweet black bean soup (Chè đậu đen)

As one of the most favorable dish, sweet black bean soup is an indispensable dessert in summer for Vietnamese people. It is quite easy to cook this soup since the only ingredient you need is black beans. By simmering it for hours with sugar, you will have an elegant bowl of the sweet soup to chase out the heat of summer. Normally, people will add black jelly and coconut into the soup to make it more appetizing.

Vietnamese sweet corn pudding (Chè ngô)

Although the way to cook sweet corn pudding is not as sophisticated as pomelo sweet soup or taking as long as black beans, just a bowl of this dessert could bring you the fresh and gentle flavor of the countryside. Corn and coconut milk are definitely a perfect match.

Almond with Cheese Jelly and Lychee Sweet Soup (Chè khúc bạch)

Getting sick of ice cream in summer? Then this sweet soup will help you to cool down the heat with a brand new taste. Colorful jelly made from cheese combining with the lusciousness of lychees and longans creates a fanciful explosion of flavor in your mouth. Almonds are put on top of the dessert to increase its richness.

Rice Balls with Roasted Pork Filling Sweet Soup (Chè Bột Lọc nhân Heo Quay)

To change your taste a little bit, regardless of its name, the main ingredient for this Hue‘s dessert is roasted pork. Rice balls are made from cassava powder, after boiling, they turn clear white color, which will later be used with sugar added water. The rice balls cover a piece of roasted pork inside, therefore the soup will contain both sweetness and saltiness. This dessert should be enjoyed when it is still hot or cooled down slightly but not completely cold.

Purple Yam Sweet Soup Recipe (Chè khoai môn tím)

Many people favor this dessert thanks to its unique purple color and taste. With the main ingredient from purple taro, the sweet soup is then cooked with coconut water and simmered under low heat until the mixture becomes condense. A small amount of sugar is added to balance the taste but still maintain coconut milk’s flavor. In winter, purple yam sweet soup recipe is a fantastic choice, especially if you have children.

Vietnamese sweet ginger rice (Chè con ong)

On Tet holiday, each Vietnamese family usually has a dish of sweet ginger rice on altar depending on family’s tradition as well as regional custom. This dessert is quite popular in the North area because its spicy taste of ginger suits perfectly with the cold weather at the beginning of the year. Called as “chè”, however, “chè con ong” possesses the appearance of sticky rice but a little bit softer. Enjoy each piece of the ginger rice, drink a small cup of tea, you will feel warm inside with full of energy.

Steamed sticky rice with sweet gruel (Xôi chè)

This dessert is originally from Hanoi. It includes mung bean steamed glutinous rice and sweet gruel. In order to understand more about “xoi” and “xoi che”, as well as the way to cook them, you can check our previous article here.

Where to eat Che in Hanoi?

Here are the top 4 most popular Che places in Hanoi

1. Chè Bốn Mùa #4 Hàng Cân, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
2. Xôi Chè Bà Thìn #1 Bát Đàn, Hàng Bồ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
3. Chè Mười Sáu #16 Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội
4. Chè Huyền #14 Thiền Quang, Nguyễn Du, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội

Where to eat Che in Saigon?

Chè – 8 Must Try Vietnamese Sweet Desserts & Where to find them in Saigon