The San Gabriel Valley has a vibrant chè scene, with Vietnamese dessert shops and cafes along Valley Boulevard serving a wide variety of sweet soups — from the familiar chè bưởi (pomelo with coconut milk) to the more exotic chè sầu riêng (durian with pandan jelly). The best spots serve chè in the traditional style: layered in a clear cup with beans, jelly, tapioca, and coconut milk.
Banh Mi & Che Cali top-pick
Che Cali is the SGV's tea headquarters — the name literally includes "Che." Their dessert case features a rotating selection of 15+ sweet soup varieties, from the classic mixed sweet soup with everything to seasonal specialties like sweet soup with grapefruit (pomelo) and sweet soup (glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup). The portions are generous, the coconut milk is rich, and the prices are affordable. This is where the local Vietnamese community comes for their tea fix.
BMC Pho Banh Mi Che Cali best-value
The El Monte outpost of the Che Cali empire carries the same extensive tea selection as the Alhambra flagship. The quality is consistent across locations, and the El Monte spot is less crowded. The mixed sweet soup here is the sampler's choice — a layered cup with beans, jelly, tapioca, and coconut milk.
Summer Rolls hidden-gem
Summer Rolls includes dessert on their dessert menu, with a solid selection of the most popular varieties. The grapefruit sweet soup (pomelo) and green bean sweet soup (mung bean) are reliable choices. The Rosemead Boulevard location serves the Temple City Vietnamese community. ## Dish Background Che is the umbrella term for Vietnamese sweet dessert soups and puddings, ranging from simple bean-and-coconut-milk preparations to elaborate layered concoctions with dozens of ingredients. Common types include: mixed — a little bit of everything, pomelo with coconut milk and tapioca, durian with pandan jelly, glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup, mung bean with coconut milk, and Thai-inspired with colorful jellies and fruit. Che is served either hot or cold, typically in clear cups that showcase the colorful layers of beans, jellies, and coconut milk.nnWhether you are craving authentic Che or explore Los Angeles's Vietnamese food scene, these spots deliver the real deal.