Beyond Egg Coffee: 8 Vietnamese Coffee Drinks You Should Try

Egg coffee may be the drink that puts Hanoi on travellers' bucket lists, but it's only one chapter in a much bigger story. Vietnam has one of the most inventive coffee cultures in the world, where strong Robusta meets condensed milk, coconut, yogurt, salt and plenty of ice. Some of these drinks are decades-old classics; others are modern favourites that spread from a single café to the whole country.

Here are eight Vietnamese coffee drinks worth tasting, what goes into each one and when to order it.

1. Cà phê sữa đá (iced milk coffee)

If there's one drink that defines Vietnamese coffee, it's this. Strong coffee is brewed slowly through a phin filter directly onto a layer of sweetened condensed milk, stirred until smooth, then poured over a glass of ice.

How it tastes: intensely bold and sweet at the same time, with chocolatey bitterness balanced by creamy caramel notes. The ice softens it gradually as you sip.

When to order it: any time, but especially on a hot afternoon. It's the default order in cafés across the country.

2. Cà phê đen đá (iced black coffee)

For those who want the coffee without the sweetness, cà phê đen đá is phin coffee poured over ice, sometimes with a little sugar. Order it nóng instead of đá and you'll get it hot.

How it tastes: bold, roasty and bittersweet, with the dark chocolate and nutty character of Vietnamese Robusta front and centre.

When to order it: when you need a serious caffeine boost, or want to taste the coffee itself.

3. Bạc xỉu (white coffee)

Bạc xỉu is the gentle, milky cousin of cà phê sữa đá. Instead of a strong coffee with a little milk, it's mostly milk with a little coffee: condensed milk and fresh milk over ice, topped with a small amount of phin coffee. Its name is borrowed from the Cantonese once widely spoken in Saigon's Chinese community, and it remains especially popular in the south.

How it tastes: sweet, creamy and mellow, a little like a Vietnamese latte.

When to order it: if you find traditional Vietnamese coffee too strong, or you're craving something soft and comforting. You'll find our own take on bạc xỉu, with milk jelly and cream foam, on the Eggyolk menu.

4. Cà phê trứng (egg coffee)

Hanoi's most famous creation needs no introduction. Egg yolks are whisked with sugar and condensed milk into a thick, golden cream, then spooned over strong hot coffee. It's often served in a bowl of hot water to keep it warm.

How it tastes: like tiramisu cream meeting dark coffee. Rich, sweet and velvety on top, bold and bitter below.

When to order it: on a cool Hanoi morning, or whenever you want coffee and dessert in one cup. At Eggyolk, we serve the egg cream and espresso separately so you can mix them your way.

5. Cà phê muối (salt coffee)

Salt coffee originated in Huế, the former imperial capital of central Vietnam, and has since become popular nationwide. Coffee, usually sweetened with condensed milk, is topped with a layer of lightly salted cream.

How it tastes: surprisingly harmonious. The pinch of salt softens the coffee's bitterness and makes its sweetness taste rounder, a bit like salted caramel.

When to order it: when you want something familiar but different. It's a great "gateway" drink for anyone curious about Vietnam's creative coffees.

6. Cà phê cốt dừa (coconut coffee)

A modern classic, coconut coffee blends coconut cream, condensed milk and ice into a smooth, frosty slush, then adds a shot of strong coffee on top or blended through.

How it tastes: like a tropical dessert. Creamy, icy and sweet, with roasty coffee cutting through the richness of the coconut.

When to order it: on the hottest days of the year, when you want something that's half coffee and half treat.

7. Sữa chua cà phê (yogurt coffee)

Vietnamese yogurt is famously smooth and slightly sweet, and pairing it with coffee is a popular twist. Yogurt is mixed with ice and sometimes a little condensed milk, then strong coffee is poured over the top.

How it tastes: tangy, creamy and refreshing, with the acidity of the yogurt brightening the coffee. It's lighter than it sounds and wonderfully refreshing.

When to order it: when you want something cooling and a little unexpected. It's another drink you'll find on the Eggyolk menu.

8. Cà phê sữa nóng (hot milk coffee)

The hot version of the national favourite, cà phê sữa nóng is phin coffee dripped onto condensed milk and served warm. In Hanoi's chilly winters, cafés often serve it in a small bowl of hot water to keep it at the perfect temperature.

How it tastes: comforting and rich, with the same bold sweetness as its iced sibling but rounder and more aromatic.

When to order it: on a cold or rainy morning, when you want to wrap your hands around something warm.

What to eat alongside

Vietnamese coffee loves company. Bold black coffee is excellent with something buttery, like a croissant or a bánh mì, because the richness softens its bitterness. Sweet milk coffees pair nicely with salty snacks. Egg coffee is practically a dessert on its own, though a crisp pastry alongside makes a lovely contrast of textures. And icy coconut or yogurt coffee is a perfect way to cool down after a spicy lunch.

How to order like a local

A few words go a long way in a Vietnamese café:

• Cà phê means coffee.
• Sữa means milk, usually condensed.
• Đá means ice, and nóng means hot.
• Đen means black.
• Ít ngọt means "less sweet", which is useful if you'd like a little less condensed milk or sugar.

Put them together and you can order almost anything: "một cà phê sữa đá, ít ngọt" means one iced milk coffee, less sweet.

Vietnamese coffee is wonderfully playful, and the best way to discover your favourite is to try a new drink each visit. Start with the classics, then let your curiosity lead the way.