In the last couple of decades, Vietnamese food has become increasingly popular in the U.S. One example is pho, which it seems that everyone has tried and loves. What many people may not realize is that there are tons of delicious desserts from the lush country that is Vietnam.
In this article, I will explore 23 of the top Vietnamese desserts. So, the next occasion you’re wanting to branch out and try making something new, you have many dessert options to experiment with!
Keep reading to find out more.
Vietnamese cuisine offers a rich and diverse selection of flavors, and that includes their delectable desserts. These treats often reflect the culture’s emphasis on using fresh, local ingredients that provide a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and complex tastes. For those with a sweet tooth, exploring the world of Vietnamese desserts is an experience not to be missed.
As you embark on your culinary journey through these delightful treats, you will encounter a wide variety of ingredients and textures that play an essential role in Vietnamese gastronomy. From the abundant use of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and ripe fruits to the artful incorporation of mung beans, sesame seeds, and tapioca pearls, each dessert showcases the resourcefulness and creativity of the Vietnamese people.
Throughout Vietnam’s regions, you will discover both traditional and contemporary desserts that cater to every preference. Whether you are enjoying a popular street-side snack or a refined creation at a high-end restaurant, these desserts will undoubtedly leave an indelible impression on your palate. So, indulge your senses and let your taste buds guide you as you savor the exquisite flavors of Vietnamese desserts.
Sponge cake is always a winner, so it’s no surprise that Vietnamese sponge cake is super tasty!
This sponge cake, also known as Banh Bong Lan, is a light and fluffy recipe that is not overly sweet, so you and your guests won’t struggle to eat a lot of it!
This sponge cake is traditionally topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. However, for a super indulgent dessert, why not add a dollop of whipped cream and some fresh berries.
If you’re in the mood for something fruity, why not try making this Vietnamese fruit cocktail for dessert?
This tasty dessert is made with tropical fruits, ice cold coconut milk, chewy jellies, red rubies, and coconut meat for an extra layer of delicious flavor.
Using canned fruits is a great shortcut when making this dessert. If you like your desserts to be on the sweeter side, then make sure that you save the syrup from the canned fruit.
It’s layers are vibrant while being refreshing, sweet and full of a variety of textures. They are composed of red beans, mashed mung beans, and pandan jelly.
There’s no denying that waffles are delicious wherever you go, so it is not surprising that these pandan waffles are nothing short of heavenly!
Pandan waffles are a popular street food snack in Vietnam, where you’ll usually find them being cooked in waffle irons over hot coals.
Chewy, fluffy and a little bit crispy, these bright green waffles are packed with coconut and pandan flavors. They’re made with coconut milk and pandan leaf for a delicious flavor.
Drizzle with condensed milk and you’re ready to tuck in!
Vietnamese coffee may take time, but the wait is so worth it – trust me on this one!
Vietnamese coffee is a sweet, rich beverage that involves sweetened condensed milk and strong drip coffee.
Making Vietnamese-style coffee requires a phin, a small metal cup that brews slowly, and is then added to condensed milk to sweeten.
Vietnamese coffee can be enjoyed hot or cold. To make a Vietnamese iced coffee, pour your coffee over a glassful of ice once it has been brewed and stirred.
This wouldn’t be a Vietnamese dessert article without mentioning Vietnamese honeycomb cake!
The name comes from the distinct honeycomb structure created by pockets of expanding gas which can be seen when you cut into the cake.
This spongy cake has nutty and grassy notes from pandan, infused with a tropical flavor from coconut cream.
This cake comes in a variety of flavours but it is most commonly made with pandan, as it gives the cake a vibrant bright green colour and a wonderful fragrance.
There’s nothing quite as nostalgic as a milkshake, and a Vietnamese milkshake is just as delicious.
Vietnamese milkshake is the perfect refreshing beverage to drink during the summer time. This milkshake contains chopped fresh fruit, such as banana, mango, or strawberry, and is blended with condensed milk, full-cream milk, and ice for a super indulgent treat.
Just combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. It couldn’t be more simple to make!
Banana tapioca is one of the Vietnamese desserts that fall under the category of “chè,” also referred to as sweet soups and pudding.
To make banana tapioca dessert, you’ll need ripe bananas, full-fat coconut milk, and tapioca pearls and sticks. Banana tapioca is super easy to make, and can be whipped up in around half an hour!
This naturally dairy-free dessert is ideal for any season. Serve chilled during the summer or have a warming bowl of banana tapioca on a cold winter’s day!
If you say ice cream, I’m already sold, and this no-churn Vietnamese ice cream is no exception!
Vietnamese ice cream is a delicious iced coffee drink turned into a yummy, frozen dessert.
The vanilla-infused espresso powder is combined with condensed milk, molasses, and heavy whipping cream for a luxuriously rich ice cream.
The best thing about this ice cream is that there is no need for an ice cream machine. An electric mixer works wonders to blend a silky smooth coffee ice cream!
Taro pudding is a hearty Vietnamese dessert that is made of taro root and rice that is then topped with a creamy coconut sauce.
This dessert is super easy to make on the stovetop. Once cooked, the taro pudding is drizzled with a super rich and creamy coconut sauce made out of coconut milk, water, sugar, tapioca starch and salt. Delicious!
Taro Pudding can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it a super versatile dish all year round!
It doesn’t get much more classic than Vietnamese sticky rice. It has a beautifully creamy taste and texture for the most mouth-watering rice pudding you’ll ever try!
Sticky rice is the hearty, ultra satisfying dessert that you’ve been looking for, no matter the season you’re in. Featuring sticky, warming rice with a rich, sweet coconut cream sauce, there’s nothing better.
Simply fill a bowl up with warm sticky rice and a generous dollop of coconut cream. Once you take your first bite, you’ll forget that other desserts exist!
Boba tea has been hugely popular in Asia for years, but has gained recognition and grown in popularity in Western countries quite recently.
This Vietnamese tea features the delicious combination of sweetened tea, milk, and tapioca pearls (boba). Bubble tea comes in a variety of different flavors, and is a fantastic beverage to quench your thirst during the summer.
If you’re looking for a more intense flavor, you can always try opting for black or jasmine tea.
Experiment with different flavor combinations until you find your perfect boba tea!
Vietnamese avocado shake is a super satisfying sweet treat while still being nutritionally balanced.
While you might associate avocado with savory recipes, it’s often used in sweet recipes in Vietnamese cuisine. It is a super creamy, luxurious ingredient when paired with the right ingredients, making this avocado shake an absolute treat!
This delicious dessert is made using only three ingredients! Besides the ripe avocados, you’ll need regular milk and sweet condensed milk. In terms of equipment, you will need a blender to combine it all together.
Vietnamese yogurt is a super versatile ingredient that is great to use in a variety of dishes.
Vietnamese yogurt is different from the American variety due to the addition of condensed milk, which was more readily available than fresh milk. This is what gives the yogurt its sweet taste, making it great to eat as a dessert alone or as part of another dessert like fresh fruit.
Pandan jelly is a refreshing sweet treat that is great to eat during the peak of summer.
This pandan jelly recipe features silky jelly served with crushed ice, palm sugar syrup and coconut sauce.
It has a slightly chewy texture and a bright green color, making it a super fun dessert for the whole family.
The main ingredient for the Pandan jelly is mung bean starch. You can experiment with different flavors by adding other ingredients such as tropical fruits!
Vietnamese jello mooncakes are a delicious holiday treat. Mooncakes play a huge role during the Mid-Autumn Festival and can even be regarded as a delicacy, and these Vietnamese jello mooncakes are an alternative to the classics.
These jello mooncakes use coconut cream as the outer layer and taro and green tea as the inner filling. If you’d rather a less coconutty flavor, you can opt for condensed milk instead!
Taro and sweet potato balls dessert is another delicious option to enjoy during winter or summer when topped with shaved ice!
It is thought that dessert soups are not only absolutely delicious, but are also essential for nourishing the body with the right kind of nutrients and vitamins.
Using tapioca starch adds a fun chewiness to each rolled piece, and the kick from the ginger adds a delicious flavor to this dessert.
Always make sure that the balls are warm when they get tossed in sugar. The heat will turn the sugar into a delicious glaze that you won’t be able to get enough of!
23 Top Vietnamese Desserts (+Vietnamese Coffee)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
