This new series might just be my most divisive. Today, we’re talking durian – A Southeast Asian fruit that people seem to either love or hate. However, I found four people with unique recipes that showcase just how much they love this funky fruit. These recipes make up my latest series on how the world eats durian. And I’m kicking things off with Vietnamese Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng.

If you’re new to durian, then this recipe is a great place to start. Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng is essentially a durian milkshake that combines durian, milk, condensed milk, and ice. It’s a recipe brought to us from David, who currently lives in New York City, but who’s family is from Vietnam. He associates this durian drink with visits to Vietnam in the summer. After running around with his cousins during the hot and humid days, he’d cool off with a tall glass of Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng.

Native to Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, it’s easy to see how this fruit made its way into simple and beloved recipes like Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng. The durian fruit has a large and spiky outer shell, but it’s the soft inner flesh that you’ll need for this beverage. David actually recommends freezing fresh portions of the inner fruit to use, rather than using ice and room temperature or canned durian.

With either option, you’ll merely need to add everything to a blender and blend until you have a thick consistency. The durian gives the shake a fun, light yellow color and a mindblowing flavor. The fruit has a fermented sweetness, a bit of sour, a bit of savory, and just the right amount of funk to keep things interesting. Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng is definitely a great treat to have on a summer’s day and an easy intro to durian.