List of Vietnamese desserts

Vietnamese desserts, known locally as món tráng miệng, are a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage and abundance of native ingredients. These desserts range from simple fruit preparations to elaborate dishes influenced by French cuisine. This article provides an overview of some of the most popular and traditional Vietnamese desserts.

Che

Che is a term that refers to any traditional Vietnamese sweet beverage, dessert soup, or pudding. Varieties of che are made with mung beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, tapioca, jelly (clear or grass), fruit, and coconut cream. Some popular types include:

• Che ba mau (three-color dessert): A visually striking dessert with layers of red beans, mung bean paste, and green pandan jelly, topped with coconut milk.
• Che troi nuoc: Glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste, served in a sweet ginger syrup.
• Che bap: Sweet corn pudding, often made with tapioca pearls and coconut milk.

Banh

Banh refers to a wide range of Vietnamese cakes, buns, and pastries. The term encompasses both sweet and savory items, but several sweet banh are considered desserts:

• Banh bao chi: A sweet version of the steamed bun filled with a mixture of coconut and sugar.
• Banh da lon: A layered cake made from tapioca starch, rice flour, mung beans, taro, or durian, and coconut milk.
• Banh flan: Vietnamese crème caramel, a legacy of French colonialism, often served with a layer of black coffee on top.

Fruit Desserts

Vietnamese cuisine makes extensive use of fresh fruits as desserts. Fruits are often served fresh, but they can also be prepared in sweet soups or salads. Some notable fruit-based desserts include:

• Du du (Papaya): Often served ripe and fresh, but can also be made into a sweet soup with tapioca pearls.
• Mang cut (Mangosteen): Eaten fresh, this fruit is prized for its sweet and tangy flavor.
• Khoai mi (Cassava): Often boiled or steamed and served with a sprinkle of sugar or coconut milk.

Other Popular Desserts

• Kem: Vietnamese ice cream, which can include flavors like coconut, durian, and green tea.
• Banh mi ngot: A sweet version of the famous Vietnamese sandwich, often filled with ice cream or sweet spreads.
• Sua chua nep cam: Yogurt served with fermented sticky rice, a combination that balances the sourness of the yogurt with the sweetness and slight alcohol content of the rice.