Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Vietnamese Sweet Dessert)
A refreshing layered Vietnamese dessert combining sweetened mung beans, red kidney beans, green jelly, and coconut milk served over crushed ice. This vietnamese-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers mung beans (split yellow), cooked and drained red kidney beans, green jelly cubes 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 180 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.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mung beans (split yellow)
- 1/2 cup, cooked and drained red kidney beans
- 1/2 cup green jelly cubes
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup, crushed rock sugar
- 2 cups crushed ice
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup mung beans and soak in water for 2 hours. Drain and simmer in 2 cups water over medium heat for 30 minutes until soft but intact, adding 1/8 cup crushed rock sugar halfway through cooking.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan, warm 1 cup coconut milk with 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk over low heat until combined and warm, stirring frequently.
- Step 3: To assemble, in 4 dessert glasses, layer cooked mung beans, 1/2 cup cooked red kidney beans, and 1/2 cup green jelly cubes.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup crushed ice to each glass and pour 1/4 cup of the sweetened coconut milk over the top.
- Step 5: Serve immediately for a cool, sweet, and colorful treat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Vietnamese Sweet Dessert) take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Vietnamese Sweet Dessert)?
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 Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Vietnamese Sweet Dessert)?
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 Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Vietnamese Sweet Dessert) 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 Chè Ba Màu (Three-Color Vietnamese Sweet Dessert)?
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.
