Fascinated by the unique flavor with Hoi An food "black sesame sweet soup"

Among them, black sesame sweet soup is one of the delicious dishes in Hoi An that both tourists and locals cannot help but exclaim every time they enjoy it. If you are also a sweet tooth, let's learn about this quintessential dessert of the ancient town with Hoi An Memories Land!

1. Introduce about the black sesame sweet soup

When we think of traditional Vietnamese desserts, colorful and enticing bowls of sweet soup often come to mind. However, with the sweet soup dish, which is only pure black, it still attracts many tourists. The black sesame sweet soup also known as Xi Ma Phu, is a dish with a strong Chinese culinary culture that was introduced to Hoi An in the 17th century through the trade foreign merchants. The name "Chi Ma Phu" comes from Chinese, with "Chi Ma" meaning black sesame, "Phu" meaning crushed, showing the characteristics of the sweet soup with the main ingredient being finely ground black sesame.

Xi Ma Phu is a Hoi An delicacy with a strong Chinese culinary culture

1.1 Ingredients and process of making black sesame sweet soup - Hoi An food

More than just a simple dish, Black Sesame Sweet Soup is also a delicate blend of traditional ingredients and local characteristics. Black sesame seeds are the main ingredient, bringing a rich, fragrant taste. 

These seeds are combined with healthy ingredients such as kudzu, potato starch, apricot leaves, pennywort and some Chinese medicinal herbs. Specifically, the glossy black sesame seeds after being roasted are ground into a fine powder, preserving their distinctive nutty aroma. Fresh pennywort and young apricot leaves are washed, pounded or ground, and filtered to get the juice. The vegetable juice is mixed with sesame powder and sugar, creating a sweet, refreshing taste.

Potato starch is added to create a thick consistency for the sweet soup, but not too thick, ensuring it remains smooth and enjoyable. The secret to creating the characteristic black color and unique flavor of Hoi An Black Sesame Sweet Soup is the pure taste of Chinese herbs.

The harmonious combination of the sweet, fatty taste of black sesame, the refreshing taste of vegetables, the thick taste of potatoes and the pure taste of Chinese medicine has created a delicious, attractive dessert that not only awakens the taste buds but also brings health benefits.

>> See more: Must-try sweet soups for tourists visiting Hoi An

1.2 Unique Flavor and Benefits of Xi Ma Phu Sweet Soup

Xi Ma Phu - Hoi An food has a slightly thick, smooth consistency similar to traditional Chinese sweet soups - Tau Xa or green bean sweet soup, but has a mysterious black color that attracts the eyes. At first glance, this dessert can make diners hesitant because of its different color. However, when enjoying it, you will feel the delicate and elegant flavor hidden inside. Xi Ma Phu has a distinctive flavor unlike any other sweet soups. When you haven't eaten it yet, you will hardly feel the taste of the sweet soup. However, when you put it in your mouth, the faint aroma of black sesame and the refreshing taste of apricot and pennywort will gradually spread, awakening all the senses. The sweetness of the sugar water blends with the rich taste of black sesame and the refreshing taste of vegetables to create a delicate symphony, making diners remember it forever.

Xi Ma Phu (Hoi an food) has a slightly thick, smooth consistency

Eating Xi Ma Phu in a hurry is not recommended. When receiving a steaming bowl of sweet soup from the vendor, tourists should not rush to bring it to their mouth. You should take a moment to blow gently to reduce the heat, so that each spoonful of sweet soup when entering your mouth still retains its delicious flavor. Tasting each spoonful of sweet soup, you will feel the delicate blend of the sweetness of the sugar water, the richness of black sesame, the coolness of pennywort and apricot leaves, the thick taste of sweet potatoes and the refreshing taste of Chinese herbs.

Enjoying it slowly allows you to feel all the sophistication and meticulousness in each cup of sweet soup, and appreciate the simple ingredients that Hoi An people process into unique dishes.

Black Sesame Sweet Soup is not only refreshing and cooling, but also has a laxative effect and is good for health. Xi Ma Phu is considered a remedy for  digestive issues, heat exhaustion, cooling down, physical weakness, and improving blood circulation. When enjoying Black Sesame Sweet Soup in Hoi An, tourists feel like they are "drinking a tonic" in the traditional way.

Read more: Cao Lau, Mot water - 15 must-try restaurants for authentic Hoi An food

2. Famous places to enjoy Xi Ma sweet soup in Hội An 

Hoi An is not short of attractive and clean sweet soup stalls. Below are 4 prominent names that tourists can consider when deciding what to eat in Hoi An:

2.1 Ms.Chinh’s sweet soup - 22 Phan Châu Trinh

Located modestly in the bustling Bach Dang night market, Ms.Chinh sweet soup stall has long been a familiar destination for ordinary sweet soup lovers in Hoi An. With a diverse menu from familiar sweet soups such as tofu pudding, mixed sweet soup, red bean sweet soup, corn sweet soup and more to unique sweet soups such as Xoa Xoa sweet soup and Xi Ma Phu sweet soup, Ms.Chinh sweet soup stall always provides diners unforgettable culinary experiences. The quick service speed of the owner is also a plus point, helping you not to have to wait long to enjoy your favorite sweet soup.

The Xi Ma Phu sweet soup - the famous dish of the stall always makes customers fascinated by the strong sesame aroma, sweet and fatty taste. The cool lotus seed dessert is also a favorite choice of many people, bringing a refreshing and cooling feeling on hot summer days.

• Address: 134 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An City  
• Opening Hours: 15:00 - 23:00  
• Estimated Price: 15,000 VND - 20,000 VND  

Ms. Chinh sweet soup stall

2.2 Ms.Hiep’s Sweet Soup - Hoi An food

Hidden in a small alley, Co Hiep's sweet soup stall brings tourists a simple, rustic taste like the residents. The sweet soup stall is simple with a few low chairs where diners can leisurely chat and enjoy each cool cup of sweet soup. The mild sweetness blends with the faint aroma, creating a delicate symphony that awakens all the senses. Ms. Hiep's warm smile and enthusiasm make the space even more cozy, recalling peaceful childhood memories.

• Address: 24 Le Loi, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City  
• Opening Hours: 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM  
• Estimated Price: 10,000 VND - 20,000 VND

Ms. Hiep's sidewalk sweet soup stall

2.3 Mr. Thieu’s sweet soup - 21 Phan Chu Trinh

When talking about Black Sesame Sweet Soup in Hoi An, Mr. Thieu is a name that cannot be left out. Mr. Thieu’s sweet soup stall, characterized by the elderly man with silver hair and a slender figure, wearing a faded conical hat, has become a familiar symbol of the ancient town.

Mr. Thieu’s Black Sesame Sweet Soup might seem simple with its ingredients - black sesame, sugar, and sweet leaf - but it offers a unique and unforgettable flavor. The elegant, fatty sweetness, combined with the refreshing taste of Malabar spinach, creates a delicate symphony, awakening all the senses. The secret that makes Mr. Thieu's sweet soup stall is the "special Chinese medicinal herb" - a family secret known only to him and his successors.

The sweet soup stall has now been passed down to Mr. Thieu’s daughter and her husband, but the "childhood sweet soup" flavor remains just as it was. Tourists to the Hoi An ancient town, especially at the beginning of spring, should not miss the chance to enjoy Mr. Thieu’s Black Sesame Sweet Soup. The delightful taste promises to provide an unforgettable culinary experience.

• Address: Opposite 118 Nguyen Truong To Street, Hoi An  
• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM  
• Price Range: 10,000 VND

Mr. Thieu’s black sesame sweet soup

2.4 Ms. Truc’s Sweet Soup

Located under the shade of large trees, Ms. Truc sweet soup stall is famous for its delicious and fatty Hoi An black sesame sweet soup. In addition, the stall also serves a variety of other types of sweet soup such as grapefruit, red bean, Thung, etc. Each type of sweet soup has its own unique flavor, making tourists fascinated and nostalgic. Ms. Truc sweet soup stall promises to be an ideal destination for those who want to find a peaceful space to enjoy delicious sweet soup and feel the beauty of Hoi An's culinary culture.

• Address: Tran Cao Van Street, Hoi An City
• Opening hours: 9:00 - 21:00
• Reference price: 10,000 VND - 20,000 VND

>> See more: What to eat, where to stay, what to do in Hoi An

3. Experience cooking Hoi An food in Cooking Class’s activities  at Hoi An Memories Land

After enjoying the ancient town's Xi Ma sweet soup, if you still have time to stay here, you can join the Cooking Class at Hoi An Memories Land. The class will guide you to prepare Hoi An delicacies such as Quang noodles and Cao Lau with two interesting culinary experience packages: Market Tour Package and Non-Market Tour Package.

Market Tour Package (569,000 VND/person):

• Explore the vibrant Hoi An market and select fresh ingredients with the chef.
• Learn about the unique fruits and vegetables of the ancient town.
• Take memorable photos at the traditional market.
• Join the cooking class and prepare special dishes: shrimp and pork spring rolls, seafood pancakes, and Cao Lau.
• Enjoy your culinary creations during a cozy lunch at An Bistro restaurant.
• Receive a certificate from Hoi An Memories Land.

Non-Market Tour Package (429,000 VND/person):

• Save time and join the cooking class directly from 10 AM.
• Cook Hoi An specialties with the chef.
• Enjoy your creations during lunch at An Bistro restaurant.
• Receive a certificate from Hoi An Memories Land.

And no matter which cooking class package you choose, you will have the opportunity to explore Hoi An's culinary culture through interesting stories. Prepare delicious Hoi An dishes by yourself under the enthusiastic guidance of the chef. Then you can enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by yourself in a cozy space. In particular, tourists will also receive a certificate from Hoi An Memories Land for a memorable cooking class. These are definitely beautiful memories that you and Hoi An Memories Land create in Hoi An.

Read more: Tips for enjoying Hoi An food: 20+ specialty dishes

4. Conclusion

Enjoying Hoi An food, tourists are transported to the serene and peaceful atmosphere of Hoi An's ancient town. The subtle sweetness, gentle aroma, and rich, nutty flavor of black sesame come together to create a refined symphony that awakens the senses. Black Sesame sweet soup is not just a dish but also a cultural treasure, a spiritual gift that the people of Hoi An wish to share with travelers. Therefore, if you're unsure what to eat while visiting the ancient town, be sure to stop by the black sesame soup vendors to experience this delightful treat!