All About Chè Chuối

Fact: Chè chuối is normally made with chuối sứ (pisang awak bananas).

Chè Chuối: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/ch-eh chew-oy/

Alternative Name(s)

Dish Type

Desserts, snacks, soups

Course

Dessert

Mealtime

Anytime

Popular Variations

Chè chuối nướng

Chè Chuối: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Southern Vietnam

Associated Region

Unspecified

Chè Chuối: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Bananas, small tapioca balls, saw-shaped tapioca strips, and coconut milk

Main Cooking Method

Boiling and simmering

Preparation Process

Boiling the solid ingredients in water, adding coconut milk

Chè Chuối: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Popular dessert in Southern Vietnam

Taste

Sweet

Texture

Soft bananas and chewy tapioca pearls

Aroma

Rich

Color

Yellowish-brown bananas, white broth, colorful tapioca-based ingredients

Serving Style

In a bowl or a glass

Serving Temperature

Warm or cold

Accompaniment

No accompaniment

Occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan

Calories

385 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for one cup (6.8 ounces or 192 grams) of chè chuối

Popularity

Southern Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

Bubur Cha Cha
Thapthim Krop
Cendol
Halo-halo
Tong Sui
Falooda
Es Teler

Popular Dining Area

Local households, street vendors, restaurants

Chè chuối, literally “banana sweet soup,” is a traditional Vietnamese dessert soup or pudding popular in the southern region.

It consists of ripe bananas, bột báng (small tapioca balls), and bột khoai (colorful, saw-shaped strips made of tapioca starch) served in coconut milk and garnished with roasted peanuts.

Chè chuối is usually made with chuối sứ (pisang awak banana) variety, which is famous for its sweetness. Bananas are naturally sweet, so locals don’t use as much sugar to chè chuối as other chè varieties.

A small amount of salt is usually added to chè chuối to balance the flavor profile. Some people like to incorporate optional ingredients, such as sweet potatoes.

The classic version features fresh bananas, but there is also chè chuối nướng (“sweet soup with roasted bananas). This variation originated in Ben Tre Province, containing slices of roasted bananas, glutinous rice, bột báng, and peanuts.

Stay tuned to learn about the positive and negative attributes of chè chuối, a common Vietnamese street food. I will also go into common concerns about this dessert before suggesting similar dishes.

Key Points

Chè chuối is a simple variety of chè (Vietnamese sweet soups or puddings).
The main ingredients of chè chuối are bananas, bột báng, bột khoai, and coconut milk.
Pisang awak is the best banana variety for making chè chuối.
Chè chuối nướng is a popular variant of chè chuối.

Chè Chuối Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Chè Chuối

Chè chuối has the following advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Comforting Flavor Profile: Chè chuối has a deeply sweet flavor that can please anyone with a sweet tooth.
Dietary Versatility: Vegans, vegetarians, and people following a gluten-free diet can safely enjoy chè chuối.
Simple Ingredients: Chè chuối typically involves simple, natural, easy-to-find ingredients, which is a plus for those preferring whole foods over processed ones.

Cons

High Calorie and Sugar Content: Coconut milk is high in calories and saturated fats, which might not be ideal for those monitoring their calorie or fat intake.
Sugar Content: Chè chuối can be quite sweet and rich due to having a large amount of bananas and coconut milk. This nutritional profile might not be suitable for those with diabetes or people trying to reduce sugar and calorie intake.
Texture: Some people might not enjoy the texture of tapioca pearls or the consistency of cooked bananas in chè chuối.

After going over the benefits and shortcomings of chè chuối, why don’t you explore other aspects of this dessert in the FAQs?

Chè Chuối FAQs

Yes, you can prepare chè chuối with Cavendish bananas, which are more readily available outside Southeast Asia than pisang awak bananas. Don’t forget to choose ripe bananas for the best flavor.

Yes, you can use plantains to make chè chuối instead of bananas. However, since plantains are significantly less sweet than bananas, you need to add more sugar to achieve the flavor of authentic chè chuối unless you prefer a less sweet version of chè chuối.

You can store chè chuối for 1 – 2 days in the fridge. Freezing chè chuối isn’t recommended since this method will compromise its flavor and texture.

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Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.