Sữa Đậu Nành: A Comprehensive Overview

Fact: Sữa đậu nành is a specialty of Da Lat, a famous tourist city in Lam Dong Province.

#5 in Vietnam

Sữa Đậu Nành: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/sue-ah dow nahn/

Alternative Name(s)

Drink Type

Hot non-alcoholic beverages, cold non-alcoholic beverages

Mealtime

Anytime

Sữa Đậu Nành: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified

Popular Sữa Đậu Nành Variations

Sữa Đậu Nành Lá Dứa

Sữa Đậu Nành Mè Đen

Sữa Đậu Nành Bạc Hà

Sữa Đậu Nành Hột Gà

Sữa Đậu Nành: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Soybeans, pandan leaves, and water

Main Preparing Method

Boiling and simmering

Preparation Process

Soaking and grinding soybeans, boiling and simmering the mixture, filtering soy milk (optional)

Sữa Đậu Nành: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Popular beverage in Vietnam, suitable for all occasion

Taste

Sweet

Texture

Creamy or thin

Aroma

Beany, tofu-like

Color

Opaque, white, or off-white

Serving Style

In a glass or carton

Serving Temperature

Hot or cold

Accompaniment

Pastries, snacks, or starchy foods

Occasions

On any occasions

Calories

54 calories, according to data of USDA for 3.5 ounces (or 100 grams) of soy milk

Popularity

Vietnam

Popular Similar Drinks

Sữa Hạnh Nhân
Sữa Gạo
Sữa Yến Mạch
Sữa Hạt Điều
Sữa Đậu
Sữa Hạt Gai Dầu

Popular Dining Area

Local households, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés

Sữa đậu nành, or soy milk, is a traditional Vietnamese beverage made from soybeans. It is a type of plant-based and lactose-free milk popular in Vietnam, where vegetarianism and lactose intolerance considerably influence food choices.

Sữa đậu nành is very easy to prepare at home. Vietnamese people usually flavor their soy milk with pandan leaves and, sometimes, condensed milk.

Some sữa đậu nành variations can have additional ingredients, such as mint leaves, sesame seeds, or egg yolks.

Paper-packed soymilk is also common. Vinasoy, a Vietnamese company specializing in soy milk, constituted more than 92% of Vietnam’s processed soy milk market in 2021.

Vietnamese people have several dos and don’ts regarding sữa đậu nành consumption. For example, soy milk shouldn’t be consumed with seafood, honey, eggs, spinach, and scallions.

However, the scientific evidence for such rules is rather scant.

Read on to discover how sữa đậu nành is prepared in Vietnam. Sữa đậu nành is famous for its nutritional profile, which I will explain in depth when discussing the pros and cons of the beverage.

Next, I will delve into common concerns about sữa đậu nành and recommend similar dishes.

Key Points

Sữa đậu nành is Vietnamese for soy milk.
Sữa đậu nành is made by soaking, grinding, and simmering soybeans.
Vietnamese people usually add pandan leaves and condensed milk to sữa đậu nành.
Sữa đậu nành is a plant-based milk variety with many health benefits.

Sữa Đậu Nành Images

How to Make Sữa Đậu Nành?

The making of sữa đậu nành requires the following 3 steps:

Step 1: Soaking the Soybeans

Submerge the soybeans in water overnight.

Step 2: Grinding and Filtering the Soybeans

Grind the soaked soybeans with water in a food processor. Strain the soybean juice out of the paste through a nut milk bag or a cheesecloth. Add water to the paste and repeat the process one more time. Filter the juice.

Step 3: Cooking Sữa Đậu Nành

Add the soy milk juice to a pot and bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat to simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sữa đậu nành from burning at the bottom or coagulating at the top. Add pandan leaves to make soy milk aromatic.

The steps above illustrate the basic steps for making sữa đậu nành at home. Alternatively, you can simplify the process by using a soy milk maker. Add the soaked soybeans to the appliance, and it will handle the grinding and simmering.

Sữa đậu nành can be mixed with various ingredients to create many variations. Let’s discover what they are.

What Are Popular Sữa Đậu Nành Variations?

There are 4 well-known variations of sữa đậu nành in Vietnam, and mentioned below.

Sữa Đậu Nành Lá Dứa

Flavored with pandan leaves

Sữa Đậu Nành Mè Đen

Made with black sesames

Sữa Đậu Nành Bạc Hà

Made with mint simple syrup or mint leaves

Sữa Đậu Nành Hột Gà

Made with egg yolks

Whether made the traditional or the modern way, sữa đậu nành usually displays the same upsides and downsides. Read on for more information.

Pros and Cons of Drink Sữa Đậu Nành

Sữa đậu nành comes with the following benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

No Lactose: Sữa đậu nành is a good option for people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow milk.
Low Fat and Cholesterol Content: There is only an insignificant amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in sữa đậu nành.
Protein Content: Sữa đậu nành is made from soy, which is a complete protein offering all nine essential amino acids for the human body.
Versatility: Sữa đậu nành can be used in the same way as cow milk for cooking, baking, and drinking.
Vitamin and Mineral Fortification: Manufacturers usually fortify sữa đậu nành with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin B12.
Menopause Symptom Relief: Isoflavones in sữa đậu nành can help reduce the frequency of hot flashes.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Sữa đậu nành is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation. People with arthritis can consume this plant-based milk to ease joint pain.
Constipation Relief: Unlike dairy milk, sữa đậu nành can help soften stools, so it is an excellent alternative to cow milk for people suffering from constipation.

Cons

Allergies: Since soy is a rather common allergen, some people may be allergic to sữa đậu nành.
Isoflavone Concerns: Sữa đậu nành contains estrogen-like compounds called isoflavones. Though many people claim isoflavones are harmful for males or cause breast cancer, there isn’t sufficient proof for these beliefs. Nevertheless, isoflavones can have a few side effects, such as increased acne in some individuals.
Nutrient Absorption: Soy contains antinutrients, substances that may inhibit the absorption of certain minerals, such as iron and zinc. Therefore, excessive consumption of sữa đậu nành can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Digestive Issues: Drinking too much sữa đậu nành can lead to some digestive problems, such as diarrhea and bloating.
Medical Considerations: People with kidney stones should abstain from sữa đậu nành, as this beverage can exacerbate their condition.

After learning about these strengths and weaknesses, it’s time to complete your understanding of sữa đậu nành by checkout out the FAQs!

Sữa Đậu Nành FAQs

Yes, sữa đậu nành can become spoiled if stored incorrectly or beyond its shelf life. Spoiled soy milk has a sour flavor, a rotten smell, and a lumpy or gooey texture. Its container can also get bloated.

Yes, you can freeze sữa đậu nành to store it for 2 – 3 months.

Yes, sữa đậu nành fortified with minerals and vitamins is a healthy drink for pregnant women who don’t have soy allergies.

Yes, unsweetened soy milk is generally considered safe for diabetics, but sweetened varieties should be consumed cautiously.

Yes, babies can safely consume sữa đậu nành when they are at least one year old.

Yes, you can froth sữa đậu nành for lattes, mochas, cappuccinos, and other beverages. In fact, soy milk is arguably the best plant-based milk for frothing.

Yes, sữa đậu nành is counted among processed foods, but its nutritional values make it a healthy food, too.

Yes, daily consumption of sữa đậu nành is safe and beneficial for your health, as long as you drink it in moderation, like 1 – 2 cups per day.

Similar Beverages of Sữa Đậu Nành

Sữa Hạnh Nhân

Sữa hạnh nhân, or almond milk, is a milk-like beverage made from almonds.

Sữa Gạo

Sữa gạo, or rice milk, is a type of plant-based milk with rice as the main ingredient.

Sữa Yến Mạch

Sữa yến mạch, or oat milk, is a type of plant-based milk made from whole oat grains.

Sữa Hạt Điều

Sữa hạt điều, cashew milk, is a plant-based milk variety made from blended cashews and water.

Sữa Đậu

Sữa đậu, or pea milk, is a type of plant milk made from peas, usually yellow peas.

Sữa Hạt Gai Dầu

Sữa hạt gai dầu, or hemp milk, is a type of plant milk made by soaking and grinding hemp seeds in water.

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Adam Sam

Senior Food and Drink Editor

Expertise

Food Writer & Recipe Developer, Recipe Tester, Bartender, Cooking-video Maker, Editor In Chief

Education

University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
Johnson & Wales University (US) (Baking and Pastry Arts)
Professional Bartender at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

As the Editor-in-Chief, he elevates culinary content from street food to fine dining, focusing on Western cuisine and types of drinks at azcuisines.com, and is professional in creating engaging cooking videos that simplify complex dishes and ingredients.

His passion for food is evident in his writing, where he uniquely merges various cultures, traditions, and contemporary trends, skillfully combining classic recipes with modern cooking methods.