A comforting bowl of grilled banana dessert.

HUYNH LE

Grilled banana dessert is a rustic dish, especially favored by the people of Da Nang on chilly days. When the dessert is served, the round, soft, fragrant banana slices are hidden beneath a layer of rich coconut milk, topped with crunchy peanuts, captivating you from the first glance.

A bowl of grilled banana dessert at a dessert stall in front of house number 392 Hoang Dieu Street (Da Nang). Photo: HL

What makes this dish so special is the sweet, fragrant, and chewy flavor of grilled ripe bananas. The soft, golden-yellow flesh of the banana is wrapped in sticky rice, then grilled over charcoal until the outer layer is golden brown, crispy, and subtly fragrant with the aroma of charcoal and smoke. Served in a bowl, the banana is cut into bite-sized pieces, topped with rich coconut milk, and garnished with a little sugar and salt to enhance the flavor. Each hot, grilled piece of banana, combined with coconut milk, roasted peanuts, and grated or dried coconut, creates an unforgettable taste.

On chilly days in Da Nang, grilled banana dessert at street stalls becomes a popular choice for many. Notable examples include the banana dessert stall in front of 392 Hoang Dieu Street, or at 190/1 Ong Ich Khiem Street… These stalls share a common history of nearly 20 years and are a part of the childhood memories of many city residents. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, who lives next to the stall at 190/1 Ong Ich Khiem Street, says that this simple dish warms the heart on rainy days and evokes old memories of her family gathering around the fire, waiting for each hot slice of banana to release its fragrant aroma.

In the city by the Han River, street vendors selling banana dessert prioritize using evenly ripened plantains, which provide just the right amount of sweetness and chewiness when grilled over charcoal. Alongside a steaming bowl of dessert with its perfectly balanced sweetness, the sight of the vendor skillfully working at the charcoal grill entices passersby to stop, enjoy, and admire the treat.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/channel/5433/202411/am-long-chen-che-chuoi-nuong-3994095/