Che Ba Mau Three-Color Vietnamese Dessert with Mung Bean, Red Beans, and Jelly

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing layered Vietnamese dessert featuring sweet mung beans, red kidney beans, pandan jelly, and coconut milk over crushed ice. This vietnamese-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers soaked and cooked until soft mung beans, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare sweetened mung beans by cooking 1/2 cup soaked mung beans until very soft, then mash lightly and mix with 1 tbsp granulated sugar.
  2. Step 2: For sweetened red kidney beans, simmer 1/2 cup cooked beans in 2 tbsp granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water over low heat until syrup thickens, about 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In serving glasses, layer 2 tbsp mung bean mixture at the bottom, followed by 2 tbsp sweetened red beans, then 1/4 cup pandan jelly cubes.
  4. Step 4: Fill each glass with 1/2 cup crushed ice.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup coconut milk and 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Pour about 1/4 cup of the coconut milk mixture over the ice in each glass.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately with a spoon, stirring the layers together as you eat for a refreshing balance of sweet and creamy textures.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Che Ba Mau Three-Color Vietnamese Dessert with Mung Bean, Red Beans, and Jelly take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Che Ba Mau Three-Color Vietnamese Dessert with Mung Bean, Red Beans, and Jelly?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Che Ba Mau Three-Color Vietnamese Dessert with Mung Bean, Red Beans, and Jelly?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Che Ba Mau Three-Color Vietnamese Dessert with Mung Bean, Red Beans, and Jelly for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Che Ba Mau Three-Color Vietnamese Dessert with Mung Bean, Red Beans, and Jelly?

Vietnamese desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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