Vietnamese Egg Coffee: Taste Hanoi’s Iconic Creamy Coffee Delight

Discover the history of Vietnamese egg coffee, a delicious creamy specialty drink originating from Hanoi. Learn how to prepare it at home with our simple step-by-step recipe.

If you've been fortunate enough to visit Vietnam, particularly Hanoi, you've probably enjoyed - or at least heard about - Vietnamese egg coffee ("cà phê trứng"). At first, the concept of mixing coffee with egg yolks might sound eccentric. However, one sip of this delectably creamy beverage quickly turns initial skepticism into enthusiastic delight.

Egg coffee is beloved for its rich, creamy texture, achieved by whipping egg yolks with sweet condensed milk into a velvety foam spooned atop strong black Vietnamese coffee. Its unique method of preparation has won the hearts of locals and international visitors alike. Let’s explore the captivating history behind this iconic drink, and learn how to make the perfect cup of Vietnamese egg coffee right in your kitchen.

The Story Behind Vietnamese Egg Coffee

Egg coffee was born in Hanoi in the late 1940s. At that time, milk was scarce and expensive in Vietnam, prompting Café Giang owner Nguyen Van Giang to experiment with egg yolks, sugar, and coffee to create a tasty and affordable alternative. The result was a luxuriously creamy coffee mixture, simultaneously smooth, sweet, and rich.

Decades later, Café Giang still stands proudly in Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter, attracting thousands of visitors eager to sample an iconic cup of egg coffee. The drink’s reputation continues to spread internationally, fascinating travelers and coffee enthusiasts around the world.

Ingredients to Make Authentic Vietnamese Egg Coffee

Vietnamese egg coffee may look complex to recreate at home, yet it involves simple ingredients you likely already have:

Robusta coffee (traditionally used Vietnamese beans)
Egg yolks (fresh and quality eggs ensure flavor and texture)
Sweetened condensed milk
Hot water

Robusta coffee beans are essential to creating an authentic taste. Native to Vietnam, Robusta coffee beans impart the characteristically bold, dark, and robust flavor that balances perfectly with the rich sweetness of egg and condensed milk toppings. If you'd like to know more about the unique attributes of Vietnamese coffee beans such as Robusta, check out our detailed article on Exploring Vietnamese Coffee Varieties: Robusta, Arabica, and Specialty Beans.

Vietnamese Egg Coffee Recipe (Simple & Delicious)

Prepare this authentic Vietnamese egg coffee in just a few simple steps:

Ingredients (for 2 servings):

2 tbsp ground Vietnamese Robusta coffee (or your preferred strong dark roast)
2 egg yolks (freshest possible eggs)
3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Boiling water

Step-by-Step Method:

1. Brew the coffee: Ideally, use a Vietnamese coffee drip filter ("phin") - but you can also use a French press or espresso machine if needed, aiming for strongly brewed coffee. (Tip: read our detailed guide about How to make Vietnamese coffee for extra insights into brewing Vietnamese-style coffee.)

2. Prepare the egg cream: In a clean bowl, whisk together egg yolks and condensed milk vigorously until you achieve a thick, foamy mixture. An electric whisk or handheld blender works perfectly to produce the creamiest texture.

3. Assemble your egg coffee: Divide the brewed coffee into two warmed cups or glasses, then slowly spoon or pour the luscious egg-and-condensed-milk foam layer on top. The creamy foam layer should float beautifully on top of your strong black coffee.

4. Serve immediately: Vietnamese egg coffee tastes best served immediately - well-mixed, fresh, and warm. Feel free to stir gently just before enjoying.

Tips for Perfect Vietnamese Egg Coffee:

Fresh, high-quality egg yolks ensure no eggy smell, providing maximum taste and delightful foaminess.
Use sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated) for achieving the genuine sweetness and thick texture integral to Vietnamese coffees.
Robusta coffee beans authentically capture Vietnam’s traditional coffee heritage. They are richer, stronger, and less acidic than Arabica beans, blending beautifully with the sweetness of the creamy egg mixture.

Bringing Vietnamese Egg Coffee to the World

Vietnamese coffee culture, including egg coffee, gains increasing global attention. Cafés around the world increasingly add this unique beverage to their menus, creating new fans daily. Entrepreneurs discovering the charm of Vietnamese coffee also look closely at opportunities for importing beans internationally. Interested in the potential of importing delicious Vietnamese coffees like Robusta beans into your home country? Consider reading our in-depth resource, How to Import Coffee from Vietnam: A Complete Guide for Importers, to gain important insights.

Moreover, as Vietnamese coffee trends gain greater prominence, retail-appropriate Vietnamese brands become increasingly available globally. Enthusiasts curious about Vietnamese coffee featuring unique egg recipes or traditional preparation methods now have numerous convenient options at various specialty cafés overseas.

Egg Coffee Variations You Can Try:

Feeling adventurous? Here are some easy variations to give this Hanoi classic your personal touch:

Chocolate Egg Coffee: Add cocoa powder to egg yolks and condensed milk mix for a richer and chocolatey twist.
Iced Egg Coffee: Serve egg coffee over ice cubes for a refreshing summertime drink.
Vanilla or Cinnamon Egg Coffee: Incorporate natural vanilla extract or ground cinnamon during whisking to enhance flavors and aromatics.

Ready to Enjoy Vietnamese Egg Coffee?

Now you can prepare and savor your own authentic cup of creamy Vietnamese egg coffee without leaving your home! Delicious and simple, this delightful beverage impresses guests for breakfast or brunch or makes your everyday cup extraordinary enough to brighten spirits on gray mornings.

Let the aromatic coffee and silky egg cream transport you to the bustling streets of historic Hanoi - the home of egg coffee and a city well-worth tasting, sip by sip.

Enjoy your Vietnamese egg coffee experience, and don’t forget to share your impressions, variations, or questions in the comments below!