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What to do when your sweet tooth is begging to be satisfied? Don’t just ignore your dessert cravings! Hang on tight ‘cause we’re about to go on the most exciting culinary adventure in Saigon where you can indulge your inner child with the tastiest of all of Vietnamese desserts. In actuality, Vietnamese desserts vary extensively in flavors and origins but they all taste divine. They are mainly made from rice, sugar cane, and fruits, especially coconuts.

There are so many dishes we could speak about, but here are the five most tempting desserts you shouldn’t miss when visiting Vietnam.

Chuoi chien (Fried Banana)

Fried banana is a street snack that is hard to forget. One taste instantly sends you back to those good old days of childhood when things were simple and just a few fried bananas on a rainy day could put a big smile on your face. Crunchy on the outside but warm and soft on the inside – every element complements each other perfectly. Chuoi chien is often made from a special variety of small, stubby bananas called chuoi su or chuoi xiem in Vietnam, which are much more fragrant and sweet than regular bananas. The secret to getting the most heavenly crunchy outer crust is to double deep-fry. When the banana fritter begins to brown, take it out and quickly dip it back in the batter, and then refry it. Serve the dish when it is still hot to maintain the crispness.

Where to find the best chuoi chien in Saigon

• Chuoi Chien – De Tham, 40 De Tham, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1

• Banh Cay Chuoi Chien, 81 Tran Quoc Thao, District 3

• Chuoi Chien Gion, 100/27 Tran Hung Dao, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1

Khoai Lang Chien (Fried Sweet Potato)

Back in the day, my mother would make khoai lang chien for the whole family after the kids played all day in the streets. This crispy homemade dessert was forever my most favorite snack because of its texture. You can see it’s quite similar to chuoi chien – fried banana; but sweet potato is less soggy, so it has a better taste for those who prefer a creamy and solid piece of fried snack. Normally people will fry a whole banana for one serving, but khoai lang is cut into smaller pieces so it looks a lot like french fries. Some places even grind the sweet potato to mix directly with flour, and mold it into ball shapes, which is more amusing to eat!

It’s also not very sweet like banana, so there are many savory recipe variations as well! This modern version of the dish has been more popular than ever, which actually took Vietnam by storm just a few years back. After frying the flour-covered sweet potato, the preparer will sprinkle a little cheese powder on the top to make the outer crust more flavorful. This recipe is not exactly a dessert, but it’s still worthy to try as a light meal for your day.

You’ll see a lot of vendors selling this together with fried banana, and other Vietnamese fried cakes. If you spot one, try the whole package with one of each kind!

Where to find the best khoai lang chien in Saigon:

• Khoai Lang Chien & Chuoi Chien – Co Tram, 7 Hoa Hiep, Tan Binh District

• Khoai Lang Chien Kammui, 87B De Tham, District 1

• Chuoi & Khoai Chien Ngoc Loan, 57/23 Ho Thi Ky, District 10

Che (Vietnamese Sweet Soup) 

If you ask, probably every kid that you meet in Vietnam will know about che, a Vietnamese sweet soup or pudding which is super refreshing – a perfect way to stave off the tropical heat. There are probably a hundred or so types of che. Hot, cold, in a little bowl or a tall glass over ice – you can try them all!

The recipe calls for a wide range of beans, jellies, fruit, seeds, vegetables, glutinous rice and tapioca. You can run into a che street vendor or a shop almost anywhere in the city – along the street, at an outdoor market, down some alleyway– it is sold everywhere. Vietnamese people often have che not only for dessert but also for special occasions such as a child’s First Birthday, Lunar New Year, a death anniversary or a family gathering. Che definitely plays an important role in the culinary foodways of Vietnamese folk.

Due to its colorful elements, che is the most eye-catching and appetizing of all Vietnamese desserts. Without fail, a glass of che makes every kid jump up in excitement. Adults are even fans of this syrupy beverage.

It would be impossible to list out all types of che, even for a local. However, there are some most popular ones that are worth a try when you’re visiting Saigon:

• Che Ba Mau – three-color dessert

• Che Bap – Vietnamese sweet corn pudding

• Che Chuoi – banana with sago pearls and coconut milk sweet soup

• Che Troi Nuoc – sweet glutinous rice dumplings

• Che Buoi – Vietnamese pomelo sweet soup dessert

• Che Dau Den – black bean sweet soup with coconut syrup