Tip from Viet Pham
This establishment serves warm black sesame paste with coconut milk. It offers a comforting dessert experience.
Chè mè đen
100 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Open in Google MapsOverview
Chè Mè Đen serves traditional sweet soups. This street food vendor sits on Nguyễn Trãi street. It operates in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. Its main offering is chè mè đen. This warm, thick black sesame paste dessert is a favorite. Locals also know it as “chí mà phù.” The dish has roots in Chinese cuisine. The vendor prepares the sweet soup smooth and consistent. It comes warm in small bowls.
Black sesame seeds form the soup’s main ingredient. Rice flour or kudzu root starch and a sweetener complete it. The vendor toasts and grinds sesame seeds into a fine paste. They cook this paste with other ingredients. This creates a thick, smooth consistency. The toasted sesame gives the dessert a distinct nutty flavor. The vendor often adds coconut milk before serving.
The stall sometimes offers chè đậu phộng. This is a peanut-based sweet soup. Customers can order these varieties separately. They also mix them together in one bowl. The stall operates as a simple sidewalk setup. It provides limited or no formal seating. This format is typical for city dessert vendors.
The vendor caters to passersby and local residents. Customers consider this dessert a comforting, traditional snack. The price point remains in the lower range. It aligns with other street food offerings. The business relies on its location and product. It operates without a formal shopfront or extensive branding.
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What reviewers say
Google reviews
4.6
475 reviews
Reviewers frequently praise Chè mè đen for its thick, comforting black sesame sweet soup, served warm with adjustable sweetness levels, alongside dense flan options in black sesame and coffee flavors. Visitors highlight the welcoming hospitality of the elderly owners and an eclectic interior decorated with musical instruments and art. Portions are noted for being fast, affordable, and well-balanced, making it a reliable stop near Bến Thành Market.
Chè mè đen is rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 475 reviews. Summary written by PinGuide from Google reviews, figures as of 3 Oct 2026. Read on Google ↗
1 insider tip
Where it is
100 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Questions & Answers
Where is Chè mè đen located in Ho Chi Minh City?
Chè mè đen is located at 100 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam. This popular street food vendor is situated on Nguyễn Trãi street.
What is Chè mè đen known for?
Chè mè đen is known for its traditional Vietnamese sweet soups, especially its signature warm, thick black sesame paste dessert, also called "chí mà phù." The vendor also offers chè đậu phộng, a peanut-based sweet soup.
What are the primary ingredients in Chè mè đen's black sesame sweet soup?
The black sesame sweet soup at Chè mè đen primarily consists of black sesame seeds, rice flour or kudzu root starch, and a sweetener. The toasted sesame seeds provide a distinct nutty flavor to the dessert.
Can I get Chè mè đen's sweet soups mixed together?
Yes, customers at Chè mè đen can order the chè mè đen and chè đậu phộng varieties separately or request to have them mixed together in one bowl.
What is the typical setup for Chè mè đen?
Chè mè đen operates as a simple sidewalk setup, which is typical for city dessert vendors. It caters to passersby and local residents.
Does Chè mè đen have seating available?
Chè mè đen provides limited or no formal seating due to its simple sidewalk vendor format. It is primarily a grab-and-go street food spot.
What kind of dessert is chè mè đen?
Chè mè đen is a warm, thick black sesame paste dessert with roots in Chinese cuisine, often served in small bowls. It is considered a comforting, traditional snack in Vietnam.
Is Chè mè đen an affordable place to eat?
Yes, Chè mè đen offers desserts at a lower price point, aligning with other typical street food offerings in Ho Chi Minh City.
How does Chè mè đen prepare its sweet soups?
Chè mè đen prepares its sweet soups by toasting and grinding sesame seeds into a fine paste, then cooking this paste with other ingredients to create a thick, smooth, and consistent dessert. Coconut milk is often added before serving.
What is another name for the black sesame sweet soup at Chè mè đen?
The black sesame sweet soup served at Chè mè đen is also known by locals as "chí mà phù," reflecting its traditional nature and roots.