Sure, you are a big fan of coffee in general, coffee beans are undoubtedly a must-buy upon travelling to Vietnam. Being the second-largest exporter of coffee in the world, Vietnam has introduced multiple recipes around its traditional drip coffee (ca phe phin) that you will easily get hooked on. While you may have heard about the famous drip coffee versions with condensed milk (bac siu) or coconut ice cream (ca phe cot dua), can you imagine the featuring of egg yolk (ca phe trung) which is also on the rage among locals and tourists?
Curious already? Feel the ease to savour the best-flavoured cups of egg coffee during your trip with our recommended shops list now!
In Hanoi
Being home to this seemingly quirky type of coffee, Hanoi is obviously the hub of Vietnamese egg coffee scene. Here are the top 3 egg coffee go-to’s in town that definitely worth your visit:
Cafe Giang
- Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Price range: 15.000 – 33.000 VND
- Opening hours: 7 am to 10.30 pm
Selling the very first cups of egg coffee in the middle of Hanoi back in 1946, Cafe Giang is absolutely on top of the list. In order to deal with the lack the fresh milk at the time, its founder, also the former bartender in Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, Mr Nguyen Van Giang, thought of replacing milk with egg yolks in his coffee. The signature drink was introduced accordingly, featuring with a sweet egg golden foam layer (made from whipped raw yolks and condensed milk) on top of the dense drip coffee.
The hot egg coffee is served in a thick cup sitting in a small dish of hot water to maintain its temperature as well as aromatic taste. The cold version is also on offer if you are curious to find out the difference. Or else, you can discover the egg compilation including egg cocoa, egg beer, egg rum or egg green beans.
The 1-metre-wide front entrance of the small alley in which Cafe Giang lies is not that noticeable. Thus make sure you look carefully for the visible sign so as not to miss it!
☕ Tips: Given its strategic location and popularity, Cafe Giang is likely to be packed with visitors most of the time. If you still crave for the original egg coffee flavour yet want to avoid the crowd, then another Cafe Giang shop owned by Giang’s son located at 106 Yen Phu in Ba Dinh district is definitely a perfect alternative. Moreover, here you can fully experience Vietnamese authentic street food culture. The meaning is that you would be sitting on plastic stools on the sidewalk, sipping your sizzling cup of yolk coffee while observing the vibrant streets of Hanoi.
Cafe Dinh
- Address: 2nd floor, 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Price range: 30.000 – 70.000 VND
- Opening hours: 7 am to 10.30 pm
Cafe Dinh has been around for nearly 30 years and there seems to be no ending to its rising popularity. While basing on the family recipe, Giang’s daughter aka the owner, Ms Bich modifies egg foam layer to be lighter and smoother, making the bitterness of the coffee more pronounced. For the sweet tooth, egg cocoa is a recommended alternative to try.
As you reach 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, don’t be fooled by the first-floor backpack shop. Just go past it, follow the dark tricky alley and you will then find the old stairway leading to the second floor where the small Cafe Dinh is hidden. The deliberately left poor condition of this French villa would bring you back to the old days of the capital. Apart from the distinct flavour of egg coffee, it is also the moss-moulded walls, antique furnishings and a rusty balcony that impresses visitors and leave a memorable experience in them.
☕ Tips: The confined balcony directly overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake provides the best city view, so make sure you come early and seize the sought-after position.
Cafe Pho Co
- Address: 11 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Price range: 20.000 – 55.000 VND
- Opening hours: 7 am to 10 pm
Here comes another treasure hunt! Cafe Pho Co, nestled in an alley behind a silk shop, offers a tranquil getaway from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. You would get to enjoy savoury cups of coffee while immersing in the nostalgic atmosphere as surrounded by unique antique settings. Alongside egg cocoa and coconut coffee, the creamy egg coffee served in a simple glass cup is the ace here.
Credit: @travellercrystal13 (Instagram)
☕ Tips: You can order downstairs and head up to the 4th-floor terrace for the stunning view of Hoan Kiem Lake
In Saigon
For egg coffee hunters whose Vietnam trip’s highlight is the Southern part, specifically Saigon, below are the names to look for.
The Note Coffee
- Address: 183 Bui Vien Street, District 1, Saigon
- Price range: 35.000 – 60.000 VND
- Opening hours: 8 am to 12 am
The red romantic-look coffee shop is easily accessible at the very heart of the city in the famous backpackers’ area. The Note Coffee offers a small two-storey space yet cosy vibes with colourful post-it notes covering the walls. As following onto the spiralling staircase, you will find a little open space where you can savour aromatic coffee while watching the city life go by. Every order uniquely comes with a little note with inspiring handwritten words that will bring smiles to your face. Along with coconut latte, egg coffee is definitely a must-try.
☕ Tips: No worry if you can come with an empty stomach since Vietnamese baguettes and burgers are also up for grabs. Plus don’t forget to try the refreshing home-made Gelato!
Goc Ha Noi (Little Hanoi)
- Address: 165/3 Bui Vien Street, District 1, Saigon
- Price range: 25.000 – 50.000 VND
- Opening hours: 9 am – 22 pm
From the name, you can expect to see a little corner of Hanoi (goc Ha Noi) in this small quaint coffee shop. This hidden gem is tucked away in a small alley on Bui Vien Street. It has a cosy charming vibe with somewhat ancient feels featuring black-and-white photos of old Hanoi, yellow lightbulbs, wooden stairs, old teapot-shaped vases, old books and adorable hand-made gifts on display. Opened by a Hanoian girl with the capital recipe, Goc Ha Noi is for sure a must-visit for egg coffee lovers of the original version.
☕ Tips: Free vanilla cookies on offer are the perfect accompaniment to aromatic egg coffee!
Luu Gia Cafe and Food
- Address: 8 Hoa Cuc Street, Phu Nhuan District, Saigon
- Price range: 15.000 – 30.000 VND
- Opening hours: 8.30 am to 10 pm
This family-run coffee house is well-known for being the first to introduce egg coffee to Saigonese. Though not too spacious, Luu Gia Cafe is open to the roadside with tiny stools setting so you can enjoy the real Vietnamese food experience on the street. Egg coffee here is complimented for being flavoursome as the Hanoi version. The dense drip coffee layer and the fluffy egg foam are in perfect balance. And you can’t feel the eggy taste thanks to the addition of some herbs.
☕ Tips: Make the most of your visit by trying a bit of everything. Don’t egg matcha and egg cocoa sound tempting to you?
