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By habit, Hanoians often have afternoon snacks around 4 to 5 pm, just before work ends. These afternoon snacks are usually light, not too filling, so they can be eaten dinner later. Because of this habit, it's not uncommon to find food stalls and street vendors bustling with customers on Hanoi's streets. They come not only to satisfy their hunger but also to gather with friends, chat lively, or simply admire the city streets.
Curious, we followed the directions and found a small tea shop on Hue Street. Turning onto Hue Street, you'll see a narrow alley to the right. The entrance is quite dark, and the shop itself is small as it's a private residence. However, the shop offers a cozy atmosphere, making customers feel right at home. You can choose to sit inside on antique-style wooden tables and chairs or outside on foldable plastic chairs. The owner was very friendly and enthusiastic, welcoming us warmly.
Mother's Tea Shop is located in the small alley at 347 Hue Street.
Established in 1975, "Mother's Dessert Shop - Truong Thao Dessert Shop" has become a familiar address for Hanoi residents. Despite the many changes on Hue Street, the shop has retained its traditional flavors, becoming a part of many people's memories. In the heart of modern Hanoi, this small dessert shop is a place where diners can rediscover old-world values.
While chatting with the owner, I learned that this dessert shop has a long history. Previously, her mother owned and sold the desserts on Tran Khat Chan dike. Even now, nearly 40 years after relocating to Hue Street, she still maintains the traditional recipe and flavor passed down from her mother.
Delicious menu at Mother's Dessert Shop
The menu isn't overly elaborate, consisting only of simple desserts that have been enjoyed by generations of Hanoi residents, such as black bean sweet soup, green bean sweet soup, sticky rice with sweet soup, lotus seed sweet soup, etc. In addition, there are some dishes with modern twists, such as glutinous rice sweet soup, fruit salad, purple sticky rice yogurt, and caramel.
A unique feature of this long-standing dessert shop in Hanoi is its seasonal desserts. Every day, the owner wakes up early in the morning to prepare the ingredients and cook delicious pots of dessert to serve her customers.
The owner of the dessert shop is enthusiastic and friendly.
The teas come in a variety of colors that are incredibly eye-catching.
On sweltering summer days, the shop serves refreshing cups of sweet dessert soup with crushed ice to help dispel the heat. Conversely, in the cool autumn or winter months, a hot bowl of sweet soup with coconut milk, black beans, or tapioca pearls would be the ideal choice.
In the past, Hanoians typically enjoyed sweet soup with only one type of bean, such as black beans or green beans, in a simple and traditional way. Over time, the flavor of the sweet soup has been modified with additional ingredients such as black jelly, tapioca pearls, or fresh coconut, depending on individual preferences.
The elderly customers are also regulars at Mother's Dessert Shop.
The most distinctive feature of Chè Của Mẹ (Mother's Dessert Shop) is its rustic and simple yet refined style in each dessert. The owner explains that to maintain a mild, not overly sweet flavor, the shop only uses palm sugar to enhance the delicious taste of the desserts.
Despite the many modern shops offering creative desserts and toppings, traditional Vietnamese sweet soups (chè) still hold a firm place in the hearts of Hanoi residents. Each cup of sweet soup not only offers a delicious flavor but also evokes memories of childhood. For years, the old sweet soup stalls, whether located on street corners or hidden in small alleys of the capital, have always been sought after for their familiar and simple flavors.
Mung bean sweet soup and Thai sweet soup
That afternoon, we ordered a mung bean sweet soup and a Thai sweet soup. The coconut milk in the Thai sweet soup was refreshing and easy to drink, the green Thai noodles were soft and fragrant with pandan leaf aroma, and the chewy jelly and tapioca pearls made for a delightful eating experience. The mung bean sweet soup was simmered until tender but not mushy, the grass jelly was crispy and very fragrant, and the shredded coconut had a nutty, creamy taste. All the flavors blended together to create a subtly sweet and balanced taste.
The dessert shop is always crowded. Customers come and go in a constant stream, some sitting down to enjoy their desserts at the shop, others buying them to take away. The owner works quickly and efficiently, scooping desserts for customers without a moment's rest. No matter how busy she is, a smile is always on her face, making everyone who comes here feel warm and welcome.
Traditional sweet soups such as lotus seed and longan sweet soup, mung bean sweet soup...
All desserts are priced at 25,000 VND.
For decades, Chè Của Mẹ (Mother's Dessert Shop) has maintained its reputation for traditional desserts, never chasing any trends or fads. The shop stands out not only for the quality of its food but also for its very reasonable prices, with all desserts priced at 25,000 VND. Besides desserts, the shop also serves many other traditional dishes such as stir-fried green rice flakes, sticky rice balls, fruit jelly, etc., to meet the needs of its customers.
Amidst the hustle and bustle and modernity of the capital city, people seek out nostalgic memories. Che Cua Me (Mother's Dessert Shop) is a place that preserves the traditional flavors of Hanoi cuisine and Vietnamese national cuisine in general.
Mother's Dessert Shop is a place that preserves the traditional flavors of Hanoi cuisine and Vietnamese cuisine in general.
