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Vietnam is well recognized for its rich food culture, and among all the unique beverages the country can offer, there exists one called "egg coffee." A drink fusing the creaminess of egg with the richness of coffee, in Vietnam, egg coffee has come to be an iconic indulgence for visitors. Being a foreign traveler in Vietnam, one should not miss this special drink that has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike.
Famous egg coffee in VietNam (Source: long&short)
Egg coffee is a deliciously creamy type of coffee drink that has become an immediate national symbol of Vietnamese coffee culture. Indeed, the original history of the egg coffee began in the early 1940s when, during the period of war and colonization, there was a shortage of ingredients.
It begins in a small cafe in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, where it was invented by the bartender Nguyen Giang. During that period, milk was considered a luxury and scarce into the bargain. So to find its substitute, Giang experimented with raw egg yolks and condensed milk. These combined together gave out a thick, velvety, and creamy drink that was required to contrast the strong and bold flavor of Vietnamese coffee.
Egg Coffee - A very creamy drinks (Source: Vinpearl)
Nowadays, egg coffee is still a favorite drink passed down through generations. It has become a must try for visitors, offering a taste of Vietnam's ingenuity in the face of adversity. While it has spread to other parts of the country, Hanoi is still considered the birthplace of egg coffee.
Ingredients
Strong, dark roast Vietnamese coffee is the foundation of egg coffee, traditionally, it is prepared through the use of a classic Viet Nam drip filter called the phin. The slow brewing via this method provides the fully bodied cup that would constitute the base for this dessert drink. Fresh egg yolk is whipped into its signature creaminess a true key ingredient of this Vietnamese coffee.
The very basic ingredients to make delicious cup of coffee (Source: Wacaco)
Sweetened condensed milk balances the richness of the egg yolks and adds the needed sweetness to balance out the boldness of the coffee. Together, these ingredients create a blend of smooth and rich texture and flavor that is unique and well loved in egg coffee.
Preparation Process
It involves first brewing a strong cup of Vietnamese coffee using a filter called phin, allowing hot water to slowly pass through finely ground coffee beans into a small cup to achieve a strong, rich brew.
While the coffee is brewing, egg yolks are freshly separated from their whites and whisked along with sweetened condensed milk, and sometimes a little sugar, into a creamy, thick, and very frothy mixture. It is this egg foam that provides the creamy, rich texture floating on top of the coffee.
A simple cup of coffe without the egg foam (Source: radicalstrength)
The brewed coffee, at the proper temperature, goes into the cup, allowing a spoon to carefully create or pour on top a dollop or stream of egg mixture a very dramatically beautiful two tiered, color contrast effect where there is much darker material, the bottom coffee itself, and top creamy egg foam.
Some cafes like to add a finishing touch by sprinkling the foam with a pinch of cocoa powder, cinnamon, or even chocolate shavings, which adds not only flavor but also visual appeal to the drink.
Creamy egg foam on top (Source: LocalVietnam)
Serving Styles
It can be served in different ways but different experiences would ensue with each drink of it. The original style is served hot when this warm and rich aromatic coffee is well combined in creamy egg foam, just so comforting, velvety, and perfect to fill up on cold days.
Within recent years, iced egg coffee has come out, especially during the sweltering summer months. In this version, it would still be served cold, though with the floating egg foam at the top, giving a cool twist while still being able to evoke the creamy richness of its original counterpart.
Egg coffee serving styles (Source: lecofffee)
While it remains exotic enough for most tastes, some cafes have been serving egg coffee with coconut milk. This variation combines the smooth creaminess of the egg foam with the tropical richness of coconut, adding a new layer of complexity and making the flavor profile even more distinct.
How to Drink It
When you first get your egg coffee, there will be a froth layer of egg foam lying on top. The best thing is stirring the egg foam in before drinking the coffee. This is the perfect way to create the right balance of sweet and creamy from the egg to combine with the rich coffee and make it just as smooth and indulgent as can be.
Enjoy a cup of coffee the right way (Source: visreal)
Those who prefer a lighter texture may want to take small spoonfuls of the egg foam first, then sip the coffee underneath. It is an excellent way to savor each element of this unique beverage.
Giang Cafe (Hanoi)
No list of best places that serve egg coffee can be complete without mentioning Giang Cafe: the birthplace of egg coffee, founded by Nguyen Giang back in the 1940s. Decades further on, this cafe still sells the popular coffee to residents and visitors, remaining among the most famous places in Hanoi. The atmosphere inside is very cozy with a vintage taste of the long history of this cafe.
Coffee at Giang Cafe (Source: MettaVoyage)
Xoan Cafe (Hanoi)
Xoan Cafe is located in an old quarter in Hanoi and hosts a cozy environment in which to enjoy real egg coffee. This rich, velvety smooth egg foam combined with strong coffee has made this cafe most people's favorite among both locals and foreigners. It is the kind of place to sit around, relax, and savor the unique taste of blended egg and coffee.
Relaxing space of the coffee shop (Source: Avivu)
Trung Nguyen Legend Cafe (Ho Chi Minh City)
The place that should not be missed by the travelers visiting Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Trung Nguyen Legend Cafe. It belongs to one of the most famous coffee chains in Vietnam and serves its customers with a sophisticated taste of egg coffee. Because of its modern atmosphere and quality coffee, this is the best place to taste southern egg coffee.
The cafe space blends with a bit of modernity (Source: TrungNguyenLegendCafe)
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Cafe Dinh (Hanoi)
Another legendary place for egg coffee, in particular, is Cafe Dinh. It is especially loved by those who appreciate a more intimate and authentic atmosphere. Situated on a quiet street in Hanoi, the cafe is known for its own take on egg coffee: thick foam and bold coffee. This cafe has a pretty charming view from which to take in local life in Hanoi.
Enjoy egg coffee at Dinh Cafe (Source: WhereGoesRose)
Egg Coffee at Hanoi’s Secret Cafe (Hanoi)
Hanoi's Secret Cafe is a small, hideaway place that offers authentic egg coffee in a warm and off the beaten path atmosphere. The quiet ambiance of the cafe, along with the perfection of the owner in making egg coffee, makes this place a must visit for coffee enthusiasts who are in search of a more tranquil and personalized atmosphere.
Space inside the cafe (Source: TheLoversPassport)
It's not just a drink, it's an experience. The rich history that is behind its creation coupled with the rich, creamy taste makes it a quintessential part of Vietnam's coffee culture. Whether you sit in the historic cafes of Hanoi or sip a cup in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, having egg coffee is a must for any traveler to Vietnam.
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