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Vietnamese Three-Color Dessert (Chè Ba Màu)

Vietnamese · Dessert

A vibrant and refreshing Vietnamese sweet soup layered with yellow mung bean paste, red kidney beans, and green pandan-flavored jelly, all topped with a rich and creamy coconut sauce.

IntermediateVeganVegetarian
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Vietnamese Three-Color Dessert (Chè Ba Màu) — recipe cover
1 hrA little patience, a lot of flavor
Prep time20 min
Cook time40 min
Servings4 people
DifficultyIntermediate
Let's make something good

How to make it

5 steps. Take it one step at a time.

  1. Steam the soaked mung beans

    Steam the soaked mung beans for 20-25 minutes until soft. Mash them while hot with sugar until they form a smooth paste. Set aside to cool.

    25 min
  2. In a small pot, simmer the cooked kidney beans

    In a small pot, simmer the cooked kidney beans with sugar over low heat for 10 minutes to allow the sugar to penetrate. Let cool.

    10 min
  3. Mix agar-agar powder

    Mix agar-agar powder with water and pandan extract in a pot. Bring to a boil at 100°C (212°F), stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes. Pour into a shallow dish, let it set in the fridge, then shred or cut into small strips.

    5 min
  4. Combine coconut milk and salt

    Combine coconut milk and salt in a pot. Heat until simmering. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and cool.

    5 min
  5. In a tall glass, layer the red beans

    In a tall glass, layer the red beans, then the mung bean paste, followed by the pandan jelly strips. Top with plenty of crushed ice and pour the coconut sauce over everything.

A little kitchen wisdom

You can find pandan extract and agar-agar powder at most Asian grocery stores. For the best texture, serve immediately after adding crushed ice.

What you'll need

Tall glassesSteamerSmall saucepotGrater or knife
Keep the good going

For now. And for later.

Make it ahead

Prepare all layers individually and store in airtight containers in the fridge. Assemble just before serving.

Store & enjoy

Store layers separately. Once assembled with ice, it should be consumed immediately. Served cold.

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An AI-created recipe from the EZdish collection. Ingredient quantities and techniques have not been independently kitchen-tested. Published on this website . Updated . First published in the EZdish collection .

Vietnamese Three-Color Dessert (Chè Ba Màu)
Step 1 of 5

Steam the soaked mung beans

Steam the soaked mung beans for 20-25 minutes until soft. Mash them while hot with sugar until they form a smooth paste. Set aside to cool.

25 min