Coffee culture in Vietnam has a rich history, dating back to the French colonial period. Coffee was first introduced in Vietnam by the French in the 19th century, and over the past two centuries, coffeehouses, known as "cà phê", have become central to Vietnamese social life. During the Vietnam war, a milk scarcity prompted coffee-drinkers to begin sweetening their caffeinated beverages with condensed milk, which is how the popular Vietnamese coffee was invented.

Vietnamese coffee is renowned for its rich flavors, unique brewing method, and delightful combination of sweetened condensed milk with rich, strong coffee. Whether enjoyed hot or over ice, Vietnamese coffee offers a deliciously indulgent experience that has become popular with coffee drinkers around the world. If you want to find out how to make Vietnamese coffee, then keep on reading.

Equipment

To prepare an authentic Vietnamese coffee, you'll need the following equipment:

Vietnamese Coffee Filter (Phin): This traditional filter is essential for brewing Vietnamese coffee. It's simple yet effective, allowing for a slow drip process that extracts the full flavour of the coffee
Heatproof Glass or Mug
Kettle
Spoon

Ingredients

You will also need the following ingredients:

Coarsely ground coffee : Opt for a dark roast coffee with a coarse grind for authentic Vietnamese flavour.
Sweetened condensed milk: This is a key ingredient!
Boiling water

Preparation

So, how do you make Vietnamese coffee? It may surprise you given the rich and complex flavor, but it’s quite simple!

Begin by adding sweetened condensed milk to your glass or mug, adjusting the amount to suit your taste preferences
Place the Vietnamese coffee filter (Phin) on top of the glass or mug and add the coarsely ground coffee into the filter chamber, spreading it evenly
Use the built-in press to tamp down the coffee grounds firmly
Heat water in a kettle or saucepan until boiling. Pour a small amount of hot water into the filter chamber to wet the coffee grounds and let it bloom for 20-30 seconds
Slowly pour the remaining hot water into the filter chamber until it's full. Place the lid on top of the filter to trap heat and allow the coffee to drip slowly
Allow the coffee to drip through the filter and into the glass or mug below. This process may take a few minutes, but the resulting brew is well worth the wait!
Once all the coffee has dripped through, remove the filter and give it all a good stir until well combined
Enjoy your freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee!

Tips and Variations

Your Vietnamese Coffee can be adjusted in a number of different ways to suit your preference. This can be as simple as experimenting with different ratios of coffee to condensed milk to find your perfect balance of flavour and sweetness. However, if you want to try out something different, then we have a couple more variations of the drink for you to try out.

Iced Vietnamese Coffee

You may want to enjoy your coffee iced, in which case - simply add a few ice cubes to your concoction and stir to chill the coffee.

Vietnamese Coffee with egg recipe

One curious way that Vietnamese Coffee can be served is topped off with a nice layer of foam. Try this unique twist on the drink by adding a whipped egg yolk mixture, similar to meringue, atop of your brewed coffee for an extra-rich and indulgent treat.