1. Introduction to Hai Phong Coconut Jelly
Hai Phong is famous for many delicious and unique dishes. (Source: Collected)
Hai Phong has long been loved by tourists not only for its majestic natural scenery and pleasant climate but also for its rich, sea-infused cuisine. Many tourists are willing to travel long distances to enjoy famous dishes such as banh da cua (crab noodle soup), nem cua be (crab spring rolls), bun tom (shrimp vermicelli), or banh mi cay (spicy baguette).
Amidst that "culinary paradise", che dua dam stands out as a symbol of summer. This is a dessert that is both refreshing and sweet, helping to cool down on hot summer days.
Hai Phong Dua Dam is made entirely from natural coconuts, from crispy coconut flesh, smooth coconut jelly, to rich coconut milk and sweet condensed milk. When combined with ice and a hint of aromatic coffee, it all creates a unique dish. From a simple dish of the people of Hai Phong, dua dam has now become a famous specialty loved by many tourists.
2. Delicious and Famous Dua Dam Shops in Hai Phong
2.1. Hien Beo Dua Dam
Address: Ho Dao intersection, Lach Tray street (opposite 118 Lach Tray), Ngo Quyen ward, Hai Phong
Opening hours: From 9 AM to 10 PM daily
Reference price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/dish
Che dua dam tastes better with ice and dried coconut flakes. (Source: Collected)
Speaking of Hai Phong che dua dam, many people will immediately think of Hien Beo shop, a familiar meeting spot for those who love the characteristic sweet and cool flavor of this dish. The shop is located on the bustling Lach Tray street, very easy to find.
Each cup of che dua dam here is meticulously prepared, with tender, crispy young coconut flesh, clear white coconut jelly, and chewy, fragrant tapioca pearls blended in rich coconut milk. The flavor is just right, not too sweet, creating a refreshing feeling.
2.2. Hai Phong Che Dua Dam Co Thuy
Address: 20/124 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen ward, Hai Phong
Opening hours: 9:00 – 22:00
Reference price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/dish
Co Thuy's coconut dessert is characterized by its homemade yogurt. (Source: Collected)
Amidst countless coconut dessert shops in the Port City, Co Thuy's remains a beloved name thanks to its distinctive, hard-to-match flavor. The highlight that makes the dish even more appealing is the homemade yogurt mixed with coconut milk, offering a light creaminess and a gently refreshing sour taste. When everything blends together, each spoonful of coconut dessert melts in your mouth, both sweet and refreshingly cool.
2.3. Co Tuyen's coconut dessert
Address: No. 100, Alley 124 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong
Opening hours: From 8 AM to 10 PM
Reference price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/dish
Co Tuyen's refreshing coconut jelly. (Source: Collected)
When mentioning Hai Phong coconut jelly , the name Co Tuyen has become familiar to locals and tourists for many years. The shop always maintains the quality of its dishes and a friendly service style, creating a close and welcoming feeling for customers.
2.4. Mieu Hai Xa Coconut Jelly
Address: 138 Mieu Hai Xa, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong
Opening hours: from 8 AM to 6 PM
Price range: From 15,000 VND/dish
If you are looking for a delicious and affordable Hai Phong coconut jelly spot, Mieu Hai Xa is an ideal choice. The affordable price but the quality of the food far exceeds expectations, suitable for both students.
Each cup of coconut jelly here is a blend of chewy tapioca pearls, cool jelly, sweet milk, and tender young coconut. The fresh, easy-to-eat, and especially refreshing taste keeps the shop crowded, especially during lunch and late afternoon.
2.5. Chi Ha Coconut Jelly
Address: 9/126 Dang Giang, Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong
Opening hours: From 9 AM to 6 PM
Reference price: 20,000 – 50,000 VND (depending on the dish)
Shredded coconut dessert soup at Ms. Ha's shop is loved by many students. (Source: Collected)
Among the popular shredded coconut dessert soup shops in Hai Phong, Ms. Ha's shop is a familiar address for many local diners. Not only does it have the signature shredded coconut dessert soup, but the shop also serves many other drinks and refreshing desserts such as yogurt with tapioca pearls, Thai dessert soup, jelly... Each dish is carefully prepared, bringing a fresh and quality taste in every cup of dessert.
3. Tips for enjoying and preserving Hai Phong shredded coconut dessert soup
3.1. How to enjoy it authentically
To fully appreciate the flavor of Hai Phong shredded coconut dessert soup, visitors should choose to buy from long-standing shops or local markets. The dessert is usually made fresh daily, maintaining its freshness and the characteristic cool, refreshing taste of coconut.
A standard cup of shredded coconut dessert soup usually includes many attractive toppings such as chewy white tapioca pearls, cool black jelly, and rich coconut milk. When enjoying it, you can add some ice and drizzle a little coffee on top to enhance the flavor, blending richness, sweetness, and a hint of coffee.
This dish is suitable for most ages, especially children who love sweets. However, people with digestive issues, diabetes, or coconut allergies should consider this before enjoying it to ensure their health.
3.2. How to preserve
All shops offer packaging and cooling services so tourists can preserve coconut jelly when traveling far. (Source: Collected)
If you want to bring coconut jelly home as a gift, tourists should store it at a cool temperature. It is best to place it in a styrofoam box lined with ice to keep the dish fresh until it reaches its destination.
Because it is made from milk and coconut milk, this dish easily ferments in hot weather. Therefore, it should be consumed immediately on the same day, avoiding leaving it overnight or storing it in the freezer, as freezing will alter the texture of the jelly and coconut, losing its natural deliciousness.
4. 1-day food tour itinerary in Hai Phong
4.1. Morning: Light breakfast
Start the morning with a hot, fragrant bowl of Hai Phong crab noodle soup (banh da cua) with crab roe, grilled pork sausage wrapped in betel leaves, water spinach, and crispy fried shallots. This is the 'soul' dish of the Port City's cuisine. Alternatively, you can try spicy fish noodle soup (bun ca cay), a rich, spicy dish that perfectly matches the taste of Hai Phong people.
Suggested addresses:
Banh Da Cua Ba Cu – 179 Cau Dat ward
Bun Ca Cay Le Loi – 66 Le Loi ward
4.2. Noon: Clay pot rice, crab spring rolls
At noon, stop by specialty eateries to enjoy crab spring rolls (nem cua be) – the iconic dish of the port region, crispy golden on the outside, sweet and fragrant with crab inside. Combine it with clay pot rice, mackerel in tomato sauce, or stir-fried water spinach with garlic for a flavorful lunch.
Suggested address: Com Nieu Viet Restaurant – 12 Le Dai Hanh, Hong Bang ward.
4.3. Afternoon: Coconut jelly sweet soup and stir-fried snails
Hai Phong is a snack paradise with the unique stir-fried snails as an afternoon treat. (Source: Collected)
Afternoon is the ideal time to wander and explore street food. A cool cup of che dua dam with jelly, young coconut, and rich, sweet fresh milk will help you recharge. Next is stir-fried snails – a symbol of Hai Phong street food, famous for its spicy sauce, fragrant lemongrass and chili, and chewy snail texture.
Suggested addresses:
Che dua dam Hien Beo – 37 Lach Tray ward
Oc Thuy Duong – 30 Le Loi ward
4.4. Evening: Mud crab hot pot or spicy baguette
As the streets light up, end your food tour with a rustic mud crab hot pot, with its sweet, countryside-flavored broth, or simply a few crispy spicy baguettes, dipped in Hai Phong's specialty "chi chuong" chili sauce.
Suggested addresses:
Lau cua dong Quan 188 – Tran Nguyen Han street, Hai An ward
Banh mi cay Ba Gia – 57 Le Loi street, Ngo Quyen ward
5. Suggested combination with famous tourist attractions
Hai Phong attracts tourists not only with its delicious food and diverse cuisine but also with its famous scenic spots and historical and cultural relics. During your journey to explore the "red phoenix city", you can combine visits to the following outstanding locations:
5.1. Cat Ba Archipelago
Cat Ba Archipelago is likened to the "pearl of the North Bay", a complex of over 360 large and small islands adjacent to Ha Long Bay, famous for its majestic scenery, where green forests and blue seas blend.
Visitors can travel to the island via the modern three-rope cable car line, Sun World Cat Ba. Sitting in the cabin suspended in mid-air, you can admire the magnificent panorama of the Cat Ba Archipelago.
Tourists can admire the vast sea from the cable car. (Source: Collection)
5.2. Do Son Beach
Do Son Beach is famous on the tourist map of the North. (Source: Collected)
About 20 km from the city center, Do Son is a long-standing famous coastal tourist area in the North. With its long sandy beach, clear blue water, and casuarina trees rustling in the wind, this place is very suitable for relaxation and swimming.
Besides swimming, visitors can also visit Hon Dau resort, admire the over 100-year-old lighthouse, or participate in traditional festivals such as the buffalo fighting festival – a characteristic cultural feature of the people of Do Son.
5.3. Pho Chieu Pagoda
Located in Du Hang Kenh ward, Le Chan district, Pho Chieu Pagoda is a typical spiritual destination in Hai Phong. The pagoda stands out with its ancient architecture, the towering Cuu Pham Lien Hoa tower, and a serene atmosphere.
This is not only a major Buddhist center of the city but also a historical relic associated with the revolutionary movement. Here, visitors can offer incense, pay homage, learn about Buddhist culture, and enjoy a sense of peace in the heart of the city.
Hai Phong's Coconut Jelly is a unique summer dessert of the people of the Port City. From a simple bowl of sweet soup (che), the people of Hai Phong have imbued creativity and culinary sophistication. If you have the chance to visit the city of red flamboyant flowers, don't forget to try the famous coconut jelly, to fully experience the sweet, refreshing taste and the hospitable spirit of the people here.
