Che, a familiar snack for Vietnamese people, is not just a thirst quencher but also a world of sweet flavors. From North to South, each region has its own unique variations of che, imbued with local cultural identity. Let “Discovery To Wonders” take you on a journey to discover the list of the best che shops in Vietnam, where you can satisfy your passion for this delightful dessert.
From long-standing che shops in Saigon to hidden street vendors in Hanoi’s ancient streets, we will “eat our way” through the world of Vietnamese che, exploring the history, culture, and fascinating stories behind each sweet soup.
Saigon Che: Diverse Flavors, Satisfying Every Sweet Tooth
Saigon, a culinary paradise with countless delicious dishes, is also a gathering place for famous che shops. Che in Saigon is renowned for its diversity, ranging from traditional varieties like green bean sweet soup (che dau xanh) and “che ba ba” to unique and modern fusion creations.
1. Che Mam Khanh Vy – Su Van Hanh: 40 Years of Nostalgic Flavors
Che Mam Khanh Vy on Su Van Hanh Street has become a Saigon culinary icon for over 40 years. The shop is famous for its tray of 16 colorful sweet soups, including signature varieties such as “ba ba,” “tao xọn,” taro, red bean, black sesame, green bean, white bean, corn, black bean, banana, jelly, and flan cake.
Each sweet soup carries a distinct flavor, meticulously prepared from the freshest ingredients. The rich, fragrant coconut milk is a special highlight, creating an irresistible appeal for the che tray.
A full tray ordered by customers includes flan and coconut jelly in addition to sweet soups
A che tray is an ideal choice for groups of friends or families who want to enjoy many different types of sweet soups. If you are traveling solo or in a small group, you can also order individual portions according to your preference. The prices here are also very reasonable, only around 75k VND for a tray of 16 items for 4 people.
Che Mam – Su Van Hanh Information:
- Address: 32 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 3:00 PM – 10:30 PM
- Price Range: 5,000 – 30,000 VND
2. Che Ha Ky: 30 Years Attached to Chinatown
Che Ha Ky is one of the oldest and most famous che shops in Chinatown (Cho Lon). With over 30 years of experience, the shop has become a part of the sweet memories of many Saigon locals.
The shop serves a variety of hot and cold sweet soups, from traditional dishes like black sesame sweet soup, green bean sweet soup, and sweet dumplings (che troi nuoc), to che with Chinese flavors such as almond tofu, sam bo luong, and red date longan.
Various sweet soups at Che Ha Ky shop are popular with many customers
Black sesame sweet soup is Ha Ky’s “specialty,” meticulously prepared from fragrant roasted black sesame, with a distinctive sweet and fatty taste and highly nutritious. Snow fungus, red date, and papaya sweet soup is also an attractive option with a refreshing sweetness, perfect for cooling down on hot summer days.
Che Ha Ky Information:
- Address: 138 Chau Van Liem Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 25,000 – 38,000 VND
3. Che Chanh – Nguyen Phi Khanh: “Snobby” But Delicious, Loved by Everyone
The “snobby” che shop on Nguyen Phi Khanh Street is famous for its owner’s unique service style. Despite being “snobby,” the che here is very delicious and loved by many.
The shop only sells a few simple types of sweet soup such as green bean, black bean, lima bean, “banh lot,” and “suong sa hat luu.” However, each type of che has a unique flavor that is unmistakable.
Despite being "snobby," this che stall is always crowded with customers
Rich, fragrant coconut milk is a key factor creating the appeal of “snobby” che. Despite the somewhat peculiar service style, the shop is always crowded with customers, proving the irresistible attraction of the sweet soup here.
Che Chanh – Che Ba Mau Information:
- Address: 142 Nguyen Phi Khanh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 10,000 – 20,000 VND
4. Che Ky Dong: Spacious, Diverse Menu
Che Ky Dong is another long-standing che shop in Saigon, with over 30 years of business. The shop is famous for its spacious, airy space and diverse menu with over 20 different types of sweet soups such as Thai sweet soup, green bean jelly sweet soup, mixed sweet soup, water chestnut and green bean sweet soup, etc.
Che Ky Dong shop is always bustling with a diverse menu for customers
In addition to sweet soups, the shop also serves snacks at affordable prices, suitable for students. The staff is prompt and enthusiastic, creating a comfortable feeling for customers.
Che Ky Dong Information:
- Address: 16C Ky Dong Street, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Price Range: 10,000 – 22,000 VND
5. Che Thanh Tam: Lightly Sweet Chinese Che, Easy to Eat
Che Thanh Tam is a famous che shop in District 5, loved by many for its Chinese sweet soups with a light, sweet, and easy-to-eat flavor.
The shop has a spacious, airy space, and a diverse menu with many different types of sweet soups. The sweet soups here are carefully prepared from many ingredients, creating a unique flavor.
Spacious and bustling atmosphere at Che Thanh Tam shop
In addition to sweet soups, the shop is also famous for its delicious soup, highly praised by many. The staff is prompt and enthusiastic, ensuring food safety and hygiene.
Che Thanh Tam Information:
- Address: 98 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Price Range: 18,000 – 44,000 VND
6. Che Co Bay: Can Tho Flavors in the Heart of Saigon
Che Co Bay is a famous che shop in District 10, known for its sweet soups imbued with Mekong Delta flavors. The owner uses homemade ingredients and natural colors to ensure the quality and flavor of each sweet soup.
The che here is not too sweet, the coconut milk is fragrant and rich, the pomelo pulp is chewy and delicious, and the green beans are nutty, all harmoniously combined to create an irresistible flavor.
Che Co Bay is delicious and not too sweet, especially the homemade coconut milk is fragrant and rich
In addition to sweet soups, the shop also serves delicious cakes such as “banh bo,” pumpkin cake, “banh da lon,” steamed banana cake, and taro cake. The shop has a spacious, airy space, and the staff is friendly and enthusiastic.
Che Co Bay Information:
- Address: 384 Su Van Hanh Street, Ward 2, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 25,000 – 30,000 VND
7. Che Co Huoi: Unique Cambodian Flavors
Che Co Huoi is a famous che shop in Ho Thi Ky area, District 10, known for its delicious and attractive Cambodian sweet soup. The shop was built from a small street vendor, after more than 40 years of hard work.
The shop only has about 5-7 items such as mixed sweet soup, tamarind seed sweet soup, “xoi Xiem,” steamed pumpkin sweet soup (pumpkin with milk and egg), and palmyra palm sweet soup. Steamed pumpkin sweet soup is the most popular dish, with a combination of small pumpkin, powdered milk, condensed milk, egg yolks, and coconut milk steamed in water bath.
Che Co Huoi's Cambodian sweet soup, sold in alley 57, is quite famous and very crowded with buyers
Che Co Huoi Information:
- Address: 57/21A Ho Thi Ky Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 2:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Price Range: 10,000 – 22,000 VND
8. Che Hien Khanh: 60 Years of Saigon Memories
Che Hien Khanh is a famous che shop in Saigon for 60 years. Located in an old house on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3, the shop attracts diners with its classic-style signboard and traditional sweet soup flavors.
The shop’s menu has nearly 20 items with affordable prices. White jelly sweet soup is the most popular dish, reminiscent of many Saigon people’s childhood memories.
Hien Khanh jelly sweet soup, a piece of Saigon's memory
Che Hien Khanh Information:
- Address: 718 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 10:00 PM daily
- Price Range: 10,000 – 33,000 VND
9. Che Tuong Phong: Nutritious Chinese Sweet Soup
Che Tuong Phong is one of the famous Chinese sweet soup shops in Ho Chi Minh City, located deep in the Chinatown area in District 5. The shop is famous for its Chinese-style sweet soups, which are not only delicious but also very nutritious.
The shop’s menu has nearly 50 items, each with a Vietnamese name accompanied by a Chinese name. Coconut tofu sweet soup is the most popular dish, with a refreshing, smooth flavor that melts in your mouth.
Spacious and airy Chinese sweet soup shop
Che Tuong Phong Information:
- Address: 83 An Diem Street, Ward 10, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
- Price Range: 25,000 – 30,000 VND
10. Che Den Dau (Oil Lamp Sweet Soup): Warmth in the Heart of Saigon
The oil lamp sweet soup shop has existed for over 44 years, a part of many Saigon people’s memories. The shop is just a small table on Nguyen Kiem Street (Phu Nhuan District), lit by a small oil lamp.
Ms. Sau, the owner, sells 5 types of sweet soup: sweet dumplings, bean sweet soup, steamed banana sweet soup, “tao xọn” sweet soup, and green bean tapioca sweet soup, all at 5,000 VND/bowl. The sweet, nutty, fragrant flavor of the sweet soup, along with the warm yellow light, creates a familiar and cozy space.
Image of Ms. Sau lighting up her sweet soup stall with a small oil lamp
Che Den Dau Information:
- Address: 504 Nguyen Kiem Street, Ward 4, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM daily
- Price Range: 5,000 VND
11. Che Y Phuong: Famous Thai Sweet Soup in District 10
Che Y Phuong is a famous che shop in District 10, especially known for its signature Thai sweet soup. Thai sweet soup here is praised by many for its delicious, rich flavor and full cup.
In addition to Thai sweet soup, the shop also has many other sweet soups and ice cream worth trying such as palmyra palm and durian longan sweet soup, water chestnut and durian sweet soup, “khuc bach” sweet soup, three-color sweet soup, Italian ice cream, jackfruit sticky rice ice cream, and Thai coconut ice cream.
Saigon has many Thai sweet soup shops, but the most famous among them is still Y Phuong Thai sweet soup shop
Che Y Phuong Information:
- Address: 382 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 4, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
- Price Range: 28,000 – 40,000 VND
12. Che Cot Dien (Power Pole Sweet Soup): Fusion of Chinese – Vietnamese Flavors
The power pole sweet soup shop, located in front of a French-era power substation, has existed for nearly a decade and is loved by many Saigon people. The che here is a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and unique flavors, not as simple as Northern che or as elaborate as Hue che.
The shop has more than 20 unique sweet soups with a strong Chinese influence, from familiar dishes such as sam bo luong, almond, green bean sweet soup, and red bean sweet soup to exotic dishes such as steamed chicken egg, chicken egg cooked with tea sugar, longan, ginkgo, and water chestnut.
Under dim lights, the sweet soup shop is nestled modestly in the yard in front of the substation
Che Cot Dien Information:
- Address: 476 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Opening Hours: 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM daily
- Price Range: 15,000 – 25,000 VND
Hanoi Che: Delicate and Elegant in Every Bowl
If Saigon is famous for its diversity and liberality, Hanoi che carries a delicate and elegant beauty. Hanoi che is often elaborately and meticulously prepared, with a refreshing, mildly sweet flavor, very suitable for enjoying on hot summer days.
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Hue Che: Rich Royal Flavors
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Central Vietnam Che: Simple and Rustic
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Conclusion
The world of Vietnamese che is incredibly rich and diverse, with each region having its own unique sweet soup specialties. Hopefully, the list of the best che shops in Vietnam that “Discovery To Wonders” introduces will help you have more interesting options to explore and enjoy this delightful dessert. Wishing you wonderful culinary experiences!