While strolling the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Canadian traveler Chase Matheson unexpectedly came across a dessert that both surprised and delighted him with its flavor and price - just 15,000 VND (around 0.60 USD) per cup.

Chase recently traveled to Vietnam, choosing Ho Chi Minh City as a major stop on his journey. There, he immersed himself in the rich world of Vietnamese street food.

Among the many dishes he sampled, one left a particularly deep impression: tao pho - also known regionally as tau pha, dau hu, or tau hu tau pho.

Tao pho is made from finely ground soybeans, filtered more thoroughly than regular tofu, then boiled. After cooling, a setting agent such as glucono delta-lactone or gelatin is added to form the smooth curd.

Depending on the region, tao pho can be served with jasmine-infused sugar syrup or topped with thin slices of ginger. In Ho Chi Minh City, the dessert is often made thicker and creamier and is usually enjoyed with coconut milk.

It can be served hot or cold and is most commonly sold by street vendors. Using a spoon, a seashell, or even the edge of a cut beer can, the vendor skillfully scoops silky layers of the tofu into a cup or bowl before pouring sweet syrup on top.

Chase discovered this dessert while exploring a small alley in Thanh My Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Drawn by its appearance, he decided to try a cup. After taking his first spoonful, he described the taste as warm, sweet, and pleasantly soothing.

“It tastes like it’s made from soybeans,” he said. He kept eating, surprised by how the tofu melted in his mouth and harmonized perfectly with the gentle sweetness of the syrup and the slight heat of ginger.

“This is amazing. It feels so comforting - it’s warming my throat,” Chase exclaimed.

He added that the appearance of the dessert was just as appealing as the flavor. The amber-colored syrup and golden ginger slices added to its visual allure.

“This isn’t something you wake up thinking you’ll eat,” Chase reflected. “But if you happen to find it and give it a try, you’ll be stunned to realize it’s absolutely perfect.”

He went on to say that tao pho is not only delicious but also filling, despite its light appearance.

In a video shared on his personal YouTube channel, Chase described the dessert as a must-try street food experience when visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

During his time in Vietnam, Chase also explored various other street foods including mixed pho, grass jelly dessert, coconut cakes, avocado smoothies, pork rib congee, and salted coffee.

He noted that all the dishes had distinctive flavors and were reasonably priced - from just a few thousand VND up to several tens of thousands (roughly between $0.20 and $2.00 per dish).

Thao Trinh