The Ultimate Guide to Che Thai (Vietnamese Fruit Cocktail)

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5.0

147 reviews
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  • Prep Time

    40 mins

  • Cook Time

    40 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Servings

    8 servings

  • Calories

    303 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert, Drinks

  • Cuisine

    Vietnamese

The Ultimate Guide to Che Thai (Vietnamese Fruit Cocktail)

Che Thai is like a fruity party in a glass—cool, creamy, colorful, and totally customizable! Made with coconut milk, jellies, and fresh fruit, this Vietnamese dessert drink is the ultimate build-your-own treat. Mix and match your favorite toppings and get ready to sip, scoop, and slurp your way through every layer!

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Ingredients

Servings

"Red Rubies"

  • 1 (8 oz) can whole water chestnuts
  • 3 drops Red food coloring
  • cup tapioca starch
  • water

Pandan Agar Jelly

  • cups water
  • 2 teaspoons agar agar powder (Telephone Brand)
  • ½ teaspoon pandan extract
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar

Pandan Noodle Jelly (Cendol)

  • cup mung bean starch
  • 3 tablespoon tapioca starch
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon pandan extract

Canned Fruits

  • 1 (20 oz) can jackfruit, drained and thinly sliced
  • 1 (20 oz) can lychee and it's juice
  • 1 (20 oz) can longan, drained
  • 1 (18 oz) can toddy palm seed, drained
  • 1 (12 oz) jar coconut jelly (coco de nata), drained
  • fresh or canned coconut, cut into strips

Milk

  • 1 cup half and half (or whole milk)
  • 1 cup coconut cream or coffee creamer (hazelnut or French vanilla) (use either one)
  • ½ cup sugar
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Instructions

Red Rubies

  1. Prep the Chestnuts: Drain and pat dry. Cut into ¼-inch cubes.
  2. Color: Toss with 2–3 drops of red food dye until evenly coated.
  3. Coat: Sprinkle with tapioca starch and toss to coat. Shake off excess using a colander.
  4. Cook: Boil 2–3 inches of water. Add chestnuts and cook 2–3 minutes, or until they float.
  5. Cool: Transfer to an ice bath and chill for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Pandan Agar Agar Jelly

  1. Mix: In a saucepan, whisk water, agar agar powder, pandan extract, and sugar.
  2. Cook: Bring to a boil, then simmer 6–7 minutes until fully dissolved.
  3. Set: Pour into a small pan, let cool, and refrigerate for 2 hours until firm. Cut into cubes.

Pandan Noodle Jelly (Cendol)

  1. Set Up: Fit a potato ricer with a coarse disc and prepare an ice bath.
  2. Mix: In a saucepan, whisk together water, sugar, mung bean starch, tapioca starch, and pandan extract.
  3. Cook: Whisk over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes until thick and smooth.
  4. Shape: Working in batches, press the batter through the ricer into the ice bath.
  5. Cool: Let chill for at least 10 minutes, then drain and refrigerate.

Assemble Che Thai

  1. Make the Coconut Base: Simmer coconut cream with sugar until dissolved. Let cool.
  2. Combine: In a large bowl, mix coconut base with half-and-half (or creamer).
  3. Add Toppings: Stir in red rubies, both jellies, and canned or fresh fruits (jackfruit, lychee, longan, toddy palm, coconut jelly, shredded coconut).
  4. Serve: Chill for 1 hour or serve right away over crushed ice.
Equipments used:

Notes

  • Red Rubies: Pat chestnuts dry and sift off extra starch to avoid clumping. Cook in small batches and cool in an ice bath for at least 10 minutes.
  • Pandan Jelly: Make it ahead—needs at least 2 hours to set. Short on time? Use store-bought ai yu or grass jelly.
  • Worm Jelly: Have your tools and ice bath ready. The batter cooks fast, so stir constantly and press while it’s still hot.
  • Assembly: Chill the coconut base before mixing and add fruits just before serving for the freshest texture.
  • Red Rubies: Pat chestnuts dry and sift off extra starch to avoid clumping. Cook in small batches and cool in an ice bath for at least 10 minutes.
  • Pandan Jelly: Make it ahead—needs at least 2 hours to set. Short on time? Use store-bought ai yu or grass jelly.
  • Worm Jelly: Have your tools and ice bath ready. The batter cooks fast, so stir constantly and press while it’s still hot.
  • Assembly: Chill the coconut base before mixing and add fruits just before serving for the freshest texture.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 303kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 44g (15%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 27mg (1%) Potassium 152mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 20g (40%) Vitamin A 107IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 42mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 303 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 303kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 44g 15%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 27mg 1%
Potassium 152mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 20g 40%
Vitamin A 107IU 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 42mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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