Chè Hoi an- Chi Hoa (Hội An, Vietnam)

Authentic Vietnamese chè at Chè Hội An – Chi Hoa. Fresh, not-too-sweet desserts made with beans, coconut milk, and jellies. A sweet street-side discovery in Hội An serving delicious, colourful chè desserts packed with beans, jellies, and coconut milk, the perfect way to end a hot day.

Wandering through the glowing lantern streets of Hội An, it’s hard to miss the small dessert stalls drawing both locals and travellers for a late-night treat. One of those gems is Chè Hội An – Chi Hoa, a modest sweet soup stall run by a cheerful auntie who has clearly mastered the craft of traditional Vietnamese desserts.

It opens from 3 PM to 10 PM, and by the time we arrived, the place was already buzzing with locals, always a sign you’re in the right spot. The gentle hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of spoons against glass bowls, and the air smelled faintly of coconut milk and pandan. It felt like stepping right into the heart of Hội An’s local life.

What Exactly Is Chè?

For the uninitiated, chè (pronounced “cheh”) is Vietnam’s beloved sweet dessert soup. It’s a broad term that covers countless combinations of ingredients, often served in a glass or bowl, sometimes warm, sometimes cold, and always comforting.

A typical chè can include a mix of:

• Beans and pulses: mung beans, black-eyed peas, or red kidney beans
• Fruits: jackfruit, longan, lychee, or durian
• Jellies: grass jelly, aiyu jelly, or red rubies (tapioca-coated water chestnuts)
• Tapioca: from pearls to chewy balls
• Coconut: milk, cream, or shredded flesh
• Tubers and grains: glutinous rice, taro, and sweet potato
• Flavourings: pandan extract, sesame, or lotus seeds

It’s one of those dishes that can look chaotic to the untrained eye, layers of colour and texture, but each spoonful somehow works harmoniously.

Our First Taste of Chè

This was actually our first time trying Vietnamese chè, and to be honest, it completely surprised us. We’ve had similar desserts before, halo-halo from the Philippines, cendol from Malaysia, kakigori from Japan, and bingsu from Korea, but this one stood out.

Unlike its icy counterparts, chè skips the crushed ice and instead focuses on pure ingredients. That means every element, the beans, jellies, and coconut milk, has more depth of flavour. It’s generous, colourful, and incredibly satisfying.

We went for the mixed bowl, the best option if you can’t decide. It came loaded with different beans, jellies, and a generous pour of coconut milk. The result was sweet but not cloying, fresh yet indulgent, a beautiful balance.

Run by Heart, Loved by Locals

The stall is run by a lovely auntie who greets everyone with a smile. She works with quiet rhythm, scooping ingredients with practiced ease and chatting in between with regular customers. You can feel the warmth in every bowl.

Each serving costs around VND 15,000, which is a steal considering the quality and freshness. You can customise your own combination, too, more coconut milk, less jelly, extra beans, whatever you like.

And the best part? Right next door is Cô Lợi Bánh Ướt Thịt Xiên Nướng, the amazing grilled pork skewer place we featured earlier. It’s the perfect one-two punch for a night of street food in Hội An, savoury skewers first, sweet chè after.

Refreshing, Honest, and Simply Delicious

We came here almost every night during our stay. There’s something deeply comforting about ending the evening sitting on low stools by the street, a bowl of chè in hand, watching the world go by.

The flavours are refreshing and not overly sweet, perfect after a hot day exploring the old town. The ingredients taste fresh and natural, never artificial. It’s vegan-friendly, budget-friendly, and most importantly, local-approved.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Try Hoi An Dessert

If you’re in Hội An and want to taste something truly local, skip the tourist cafés and find Chè Hội An – Chi Hoa. It’s humble, it’s heartfelt, and it serves some of the best traditional Vietnamese desserts you’ll ever try.

It’s proof that sometimes the simplest things, a bowl of beans, coconut milk, and a friendly smile, can bring the most joy.

Chè Hoi an- Chi Hoa
Address: 1 Nguyễn Huệ, Sơn Phong, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam