Sương sa hạt lựu (pandan jelly and tapioca in coconut milk), sâm bổ lượng (or Ching bo leung_ one kind of sweet cold drink), chè bưởi (grapefruit sweet soup) hay tàu hũ (soybean pudding are well-liked in Can Tho City because of their fast preparation and common ingredients:

Sương sa hạt lựu (pandan jelly and tapioca in coconut milk)

Hạt lựu here is not derived from pomegranates, but made of small red tapioca. After boiling up, these small tapioca balls become clear, soft chewy and red like the pomegranate seeds, so local people call them Hạt lựu.  Sương sa is made of pandan jelly powder and jelly powder. When the boiled jelly cools down and becomes thick, it will be cut into small cubic pieces. For this dessert to be more attractive and full of flavor, some coconut milk and green bean paste are added.

A glass of cold sweet Sương sa hạt lựu. Source: Tranvanrang

Pandan jelly is put in a glass first, then green bean, jelly, tapioca, coconut milk and peanuts are added. Cover them with some grinded ice, then you will have a glass of cold sweet dessert.

Where to buy: This dessert can be easily found in almost all markets in Can Tho City because it is delicious yet cheap and easy to prepare.

Sâm bổ lượng ( Ching bo leung)

This cold sweet dessert recipe helps your body to release internal heat. Its delicious taste is from the combination of seven different types of ingredients: white fungus, lotus root, dried lotus seeds, dried longan pulp, kelp, jujubes, sorghum. Each ingredient is boiled and put separately. When serving, put them one above another in a glass.

A glass of cold and appetizing Ching bo leung _ easy for you to take away. Source: LanThoa

Sugar syrup is added. Those who like it light sweet can use candy bars. All ingredients are put in the glass, then added sugar syrup and grinded ice. So, it is ready for you to enjoy. You will never feel tired of this refreshment.

Where to buy: You can easily buy one at many stalls and shops along Cach Mang Thang Tam Street and Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, particularly in the afternoon.

Chè bưởi (Grapefruit Sweet Soup)

Chè bưởi is a favorite dessert to many people for its pleasant and sweet taste. This is a light dessert in the summer. The main ingredients include beans and white grapefruit pulp. When it is served, coconut milk and finely grinded ice can be added.

Where to buy: Tran Quang Dieu or Hoang Van Thu Street.

Tàu hũ đá (iced soybean pudding)

Tàu hũ is made of very soft tofu, so you can feel it disappear slowly in your mouth as you eat it.  Its taste is not different from traditional tofu. A glass of delicious and flavored Tàu hũ is served with brown sugar syrup, ice and coconut milk.

Very soft and pleasant tofu. Photo: Lan Thoa

Where to buy: Street vendors sell this refreshment along Nguyen Van Cu Street