Sort of Legal

Before traveling to Vietnam, I thought that “Vietnamese Coffee,” was a single style of coffee and I wanted to try it.  I was wrong.  There are multiple variations of Vietnamese coffee. 

The core variations of Vietnamese coffee are distinguished by their color and whether they are hot or iced.  For example, cà phê đen is hot black coffee while cà phê nau da is iced brown coffee.  There are regional differences in how these varietals are prepared.  There are also a few unique forms of Vietnamese coffee – like yogurt coffee and egg coffee – that have evolved. 

Many, though not all, Vietnamese style coffees do share three common attributes: Vietnamese grown coffee beans, preparation using a phin filter, and use of sweetened condensed milk.

If you’re traveling to Vietnam, add tasting these three types of widely available Vietnamese coffee varieties to your to-do-list.  If you’re not, you can still try them.  I’ve included links to recipes for each.

CÀ PHÊ SỮA DA*
(Iced Milk / Brown Coffee)
Ca phe sua da translates to milk coffee with ice and that is exactly what it is.  But to be clear, milk means sweetened condensed milk, which gives the coffee a hallmark sweet and creamy taste.  Ca phe sua da is alternatively referred to as cà phê nâu đá, mostly in norther Vietnam, which translates to brown coffee with ice – a name derived from the brown color the coffee takes on when the milk is added.

It is common for iced coffee in Vietnam to automatically be served with a side of diluted green tea.  I found this novelty amusing at first but after leaving Vietnam, sort-of missed it.

Try it at:       
Binh’s Café in DaNang, Vietnam (my experience here)
152 Duong Dinh Nghe Street, Da Nang, Vietnam
Facebook: @binhscaphe

Milk Coffee at Binh’s Cafe in DaNang

Make It:        
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Recipe by HungryHuy
How to Make Vietnamese Iced Coffee by Savory Simple

*Note: What about the ice?  There is a risk associated with consuming ice in countries like Vietnam with underdeveloped water purification systems. After a few bouts with food or water borne illness in my traveling career, I’m generally cautious but take a few risks – like consuming ca phe sua da in cafes that “seem” to prioritize food safety. Cafes in larger, frequently traveled cities do tend to utilize safe, clean sources of ice but it’s far from guaranteed.  If you want to play it safe, go with ca phe sua / ca phe nau which is a hot version of the same drink.

CÀ PHÊ CỐT DỪA
(Coconut Coffee)
Vietnam’s coconut coffees take the usual preparation of coffee + sweetened condensed milk and kicks it up a notch by also adding coconut milk.  I’ve heard its much easier to find in northern Vietnam…or New York City, where it is apparently trending.

Try it at:       
The Note in Hanoi or Ho Chi Min, Vietnam
64 Lương Văn Can, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
183 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Website: http://thenotecoffee.business.site/

Full disclosure: this photo depicts egg coffee because that’s what I had but The Note is really well-known for its coconut coffee and I regret not going back for it.

Make It:        
Vietnamese Coconut Coffee by Analida’s Ethnic Spoon
Vietnamese Coconut Iced Coffee Recipe by New Kid on the Wok

CÀ PHÊ TRỨNG
(Egg Coffee)
Egg coffee originated in Hanoi and that is where I first discovered it.  I did not see it in Da Nang, though I can’t say I was looking for it and have heard it is available but harder to find in Ho Chi Min City.  So, if you’re in Hanoi, get it.  It is virtually impossible to avoid it in Hanoi and you shouldn’t try to.  It’s delicious.

So…what is egg coffee?  It is exactly what it sounds like:  coffee with egg in it.  No, it’s not some new health fad for getting in extra protein.  Quite the opposite.  The yolk of an egg is whipped with sweetened condensed milk then combined with coffee.  The result is a decadent drink that tastes like whipped marshmallow fluff on top of delicious coffee.

Banana cake and egg coffee with a view of Hoam Kiem Lake. Basically, dessert for breakfast. And that is not a complaint.

Try it at:       
Café Pho Co in Hanoi, Vietnam         
11 Hang Ga, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hint: The semi-hidden café cannot be accessed directly.  You’ll have to walk      through a shop to get to it.  I’ll leave it at that…you can Google or ask around for directional details.

Make it:
Cà Phê Trứng Recipe by Mokabees
Recipe for Vietnamese Egg Coffee Sampled in Hanoi by Legal Nomads

What are your favorite varieties of and places to get Vietnamese coffee?