Silke and Kieran, a young couple from the UK, recently visited Vietnam, exploring famous destinations and indulging in its rich culinary offerings.

During their stay in HCMC, they enjoyed a wide range of local favorites - banh cuon, pho bo, and nom bo kho among them. But it was che mam, a signature Vietnamese sweet platter, that left the strongest impression.

They found the dish at a small street-side dessert stall nestled beside an old apartment complex on Su Van Hanh Street, Ward Vuon Lai (formerly Ward 2, District 10).

After browsing the menu, the couple decided to try a full che mam set - and were floored when the tray was brought out.

Kieran noted that although the platter was meant for two people, it included a staggering 16 different kinds of chè (Vietnamese sweet soup). She even wondered aloud if there had been a mistake: “Is this really all for us?”

Silke laughed, “Do we have to finish all of this? I might need to invite someone else to help.”

The couple arrived early in the day, but the eatery was already bustling. Some customers dined in while many others ordered takeout. The owner and staff were continuously busy scooping and arranging bowls for the steady stream of patrons.

After sampling a few items, Kieran shared her surprise at how delicious the desserts were.

“I never imagined beans could make such a tasty dessert. But after trying them in Vietnam, I have to say - they’re amazing,” she said.

Silke agreed, praising the ingredients and textures.

“Some are thick and sticky, others have chewy tapioca pearls, and a few are dry and crumbly. Each one tastes totally different,” he added.

They did their best to finish the tray, managing to eat 10 out of the 16 bowls before giving up.

“We still have two bowls left here, but honestly, I’m full. I can't eat any more,” Kieran said, laughing.

“I don’t think this platter is for two people - it could easily feed ten.”

The final surprise came when they paid the bill: the entire 16-bowl tray cost only 142,000 VND - about $5.80.

“That’s a perfect price for young travelers. As for me, I’m definitely full until tomorrow,” Kieran joked.

The che mam dishes are served in small bowls, allowing diners to sample a variety of flavors without feeling overwhelmed.

Ngo Thi Thanh Tuyen, owner of the dessert stall, told VietNamNet that the eatery has been in her family for three generations.

Her grandmother began selling hot chè before 1975, starting with traditional items like mung bean and banana puddings. Her mother later expanded the menu with a few more varieties. Today, Tuyen has broadened it further to meet evolving tastes.

“Our family has been running this stall for about 50 years. We now offer 16 different chè dishes,” Tuyen said.

Among the options: che dau trang, che troi nuoc, che khoai mon, che chuoi, che me den, che bap, che ba ba, che y, and more.

Because they’re served all together on a tray, customers have long referred to it simply as che mam.

Each bowl ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 VND. The full 16-bowl platter is priced at 142,000 VND, though customers can mix and match as they wish.

Many patrons say the desserts strike a perfect balance - lightly sweet without being cloying, and rich without being heavy.

Thao Trinh