Hoi An Local Sweets with Various Beans

Hoi An Local Sweets with Various Beans: A Taste of Memories from Vietnam

When talking about Hoi An in Vietnam, many might think of ancient architecture, old markets, or the beautiful long river. But for me, mr.hotsia, one thing I must stop to taste every time I visit this city isHoi An Local Sweets with Various BeansA dessert full of charm from local ingredients and traditional meticulous preparation

The first time I tasted this dessert was when I was strolling through a small alley by the Hoi An river. The aroma of roasted beans and caramelized sugar reached my nose. I followed the scent until I found a local vendor making fresh sweets by hand, using various beans including mung beans, peanuts, red beans, and black beans, blended with soft and chewy glutinous rice flour. The sweetness was just right, not too rich, complemented by the fresh grated coconut aroma that added smoothness to every bite.

The Origin and Traditional Preparation of Hoi An Bean Sweets

Hoi An bean sweets are a recipe passed down through generations, combining easily found local ingredients, especially beans grown in Central Vietnam. For example, mung beans and peanuts here have a distinct sweet and rich flavor different from other regions. The preparation starts by roasting the beans until fragrant, then coarsely grinding them and mixing with glutinous rice flour and palm sugar. The mixture is then steamed in bamboo containers to achieve a soft and fluffy texture while maintaining a chewy bite.

I spoke with the shop owner who said this dessert is not only sold in Hoi An but is also a popular souvenir among tourists. Besides lasting several days, it has a mild sweetness suitable for Thai people like us who enjoy gentle-flavored sweets.

Tasting Sweets at the Morning Market and the Atmosphere of Hoi An

I recommend waking up early and visiting Hoi An’s morning market. Here, bean sweets are displayed in full rows alongside other local treats such as steamed bread, sticky rice desserts, and fresh fruits. Walking through this market lets me truly see the local lifestyle—the conversations, bargaining, and warm smiles.

If you are interested in stories about Northern Vietnam, I recommend reading the articleLang Son Province, Vietnamwhere I share about travel and culture in this province, which is not far from Hoi An. Traveling in Lang Son offers a different feeling but is also full of Vietnam’s charm.

Traveling and Finding Hoi An Bean Sweets Today

For traveling to Hoi An, I, mr.hotsia, recommend using bus or taxi services from nearby cities like Ho Chi Minh or Da Nang, which are very convenient and fast. There are taxis and buses available all day, especially if you stop byVinh Long Bus Stationwhich serves as a good connection point for travelers on this route.

Upon arriving in Hoi An, I usually stroll through small alleys filled with local sweet shops and never miss buying these multi-bean sweets as souvenirs for friends at home. The charm of this dessert is that it is easy to preserve and remains delicious even without refrigeration.

Personal Experience with Hoi An Bean Sweets

Once, while sipping morning coffee at a street-side café in Hoi An, I tasted the bean sweets while watching people pass by. It was a small happiness not easily found in this world. The fact that a simple dessert can deeply tell the story of culture and homeland made me feel more connected to this city than ever.

For anyone wanting to experience authentic Vietnamese local sweets, I, mr.hotsia, recommend trying these Hoi An bean sweets at least once. Then you will understand why this simple dessert has become one of my most cherished memories whenever I think of Vietnam.

If you are interested in more Vietnamese food stories, I have a videoHoi An Local Sweets with Various Beansfor you to watch, showing the making process and the real atmosphere in Hoi An’s market up close.