Sweetened soup or “che” is a Vietnamese term that refers to any traditional Vietnamese thick, sweet dessert soup or sweetened porridge. Sweetened porridge is a kind of sugary flavored beverage which is protein-rich.
The preparations are named with the addition of qualifying adjectives referring to a wide variety of distinct soups or puddings which may be served either hot or cold. Each variety of chè is designated by a descriptive word or phrase that follows the word chè, such as che đậu đỏ (literally “red bean che”).
Che may be made at home, but are also commonly sold in plastic cups at Vietnamese grocery stores.
As such, it may, with the addition of qualifying adjectives, refer to a wide variety of distinct soups or puddings, which may be served either hot or cold. Some varieties, such as che troi nuoc, may also include dumplings.
Che are often prepared with one of a number of varieties of beans and/or glutinous rice, cooked in water and sweetened with sugar. Other ingredients may include tapioca starch, salt, and pandan leaf extract. Each variety of Sweetened Soup is designated by a descriptive word or phrase that follows the word Sweetened Soup, such as “che dau do: (red bean sweetened soup), che dau den (black bean sweetened soup) and so.
In southern Vietnam, Sweetened soup are often garnished with coconut milk. This dessert soup may be made at home, but are also commonly available freshly made in plastic containers, in Vietnamese grocery stores.