I've been getting my che (Vietnamese pudding) at Thach Che Hien Khanh for a long time. Well before they expanded the restaurant. Well before they opened a second Thach Che Hien Khanh in Westminster on Bolsa Avenue. Well before they even had a rope to make people form some semblance of a line.
Two people were needed in order to get any che. Back then, I usually went with my friend DP, who introduced me to the restaurant and to a lot of other Little Saigon eats. One of us would wait in the car (because there were never any parking spaces), while the other fought through the crowd to score some dessert. Then we had to do a fast getaway because the cars still kept coming.
This was, and still is, the place to go in Little Saigon for che.
Almost every item is $1.75. Sure it's more expensive than the 3 for $3 che at Banh Mi & Che CALI Bakery, but the che here is less sickeningly sweet and of better quality.
The various kinds of sticky rice and puddings are on metal trays behind the glass counter. Yogurt and drinks are in the fridge by the door. Get what you want from the fridge first, then line up and make your way along the counter, pointing out what you'd like.
In February, on our way to Pagolac Restaurant (7 Courses of Beef) - Westminster, I suggested stopping off for some che. They have xoi sau rieng (Vietnamese durian sticky rice) I told Gourmet Pigs.
So we quickly ran in and got a few orders of sticky rice and che to-go. We didn't get to eating them until much later that evening.
Durian sticky rice on the left, xoi gac (Vietnamese cochinchin gourd sticky rice) on the right.
Ooheee! You could definitely smell the durian.
From left to right: che bot loc (Vietnamese green tapioca noodle pudding), che sam bo luong (Vietnamese mixed dried fruit and seaweed pudding), and che xoi bap (Vietnamese corn and sticky rice pudding).
The tapioca noodles are sort of like a dessert spaetzle.
Anyway, if you're unfamiliar with Vietnamese desserts, it's all laid out for you behind the counter. Just point to what you want and experiment a little.
Other Vietnamese che shops:
Banh Mi & Che CALI Bakery - Westminster (Little Saigon)
Banh Mi & Che Cali Restaurant - Alhambra
Thach Che Hien Khanh - Westminster (Little Saigon)
Thach Che Hien Khanh
9784 Westminster Ave.
Garden Grove, CA 92844
714-537-5105
*****
1 year ago today, Turkey Vegetable Soup.
2 years ago today, cinnamon and coriander chocolate?
oh man the che looks so good. i miss eating it. my favorite che is che xoi nuoc, the little dumplings. i use to love che chuoi to but since i figured that was a major contributor to my sugar spikes i had to give up bananas.
ReplyDeleteAhhh you're making me crave everything. lol Good thing they are within driving distance where I don't have to use the freeway. 8)
ReplyDeletebluang3lbby,
ReplyDeleteOh, I love che xoi nuoc too. I don't like the big ones with the mung bean insides.
Diana,
There are some things Little Saigon does better. :P
Hi WanderingChopsticks.
ReplyDeleteI happen to stumbled upon your blog by searching dessert shop in Little Saigon, and I am very glad that I did. I am coming to America with my family and Little Saigon is where i desire to go to most. And here you are, you live in South California. This blog helps a lot... thanks for sharing... now i know where to go when i get there...
Hi again.
ReplyDeletejust want to ask your permission to link your blog to my blog roll.
I am new at writing blog so there are lots to learn from the experience...
thanks... please let me know... i'll link when you give me permission
Trini,
ReplyDeleteNo need to ask my permission to link to my blog. Link away. Thanks!