Che Ba Mau

🔥 Prep

• Rinse 100 g mung beans and 100 g red beans under cold water.
• Soak both beans in separate bowls with enough water for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to soften.
• After soaking, drain the beans and set aside.
• Measure out 100 ml coconut milk into a small jug.
• Weigh 5 g agar agar powder and 50 g sugar, keep them ready.

🔥 Cook

• 1. Place the soaked mung beans in a saucepan, add fresh water to cover, bring to medium heat and simmer for 20 minutes until tender; drain and set aside.
• 2. Repeat the same process with the red beans, cooking for 25 minutes on medium heat until soft; drain.
• 3. In a clean pot, combine 100 ml coconut milk, 50 g sugar, and 5 g agar agar; stir to dissolve.
• 4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 2 minutes while stirring constantly to activate the agar.
• 5. Divide the hot agar mixture into three equal portions (approximately 35 ml each) into three separate bowls.
• 6. To the first portion, add the cooked mung beans and stir; pour into a mold or glass, smooth the surface, and let set at room temperature for 10 minutes then refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm.
• 7. To the second portion, add the cooked red beans and stir; pour into another mold, smooth, and let set similarly (10 minutes at room temp then 15 minutes chilled).
• 8. Leave the third portion plain (no beans) for the coconut layer; pour into the third mold, smooth, and chill for 10 minutes room temp then 15 minutes refrigerator.
• 9. Once all three layers are firm, unmold each layer onto a serving plate, stacking them in the order: mung bean (yellow), red bean (red), coconut (white) to create the three‑color effect.
• 10. Slice the stacked block into bite‑size pieces and drizzle with a little extra coconut milk if desired.

🔥 Serve

• Serve the Che Ba Mau chilled, cut into cubes or sticks on a dessert plate.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for added texture.
• Pair with a cup of hot Vietnamese jasmine tea or iced coffee for a contrasting warm beverage.
• Optionally, accompany with fresh fruit slices such as mango or dragon fruit for a refreshing finish.