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 drink was invented.

Vietnamese coffee is renowned for its rich flavours, unique brewing method, and delightful combination of sweetened condensed milk with rich, dark 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 follow our authentic Vietnamese coffee recipe, 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 need the following Vietnamese coffee 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’s quite simple, just keep reading.

Begin by adding sweetened condensed milk to your glass or mug, adjusting the amount to suit your taste preferences for sweetness
Place the Vietnamese coffee filter (Phin) on top of the glass or mug and add 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 sit 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!

Other Variations and Tips

Your Vietnamese Coffee can be adjusted in several 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 Vietnamese 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 and enjoyed is with egg. Try this unique twist on the drink by adding a whipped egg yolk mixture to the top of your brewed coffee for an extra-rich and indulgent treat.