Let us begin with the classic and basic – ca phe phin. A set of ca phe phin serving comprise a French drip filter (called phin) and a cup, on which the phin sits. Coarsely ground beans and hot water goes in the phin. The water somewhat distills the bean and trickles through into the cup. People often have condensed milk in the cup in advance and the result will be ca phe nau (brown coffee, called by the northern Vietnamese) and ca phe sua (milk coffee, called by the southern people). This style of appreciate coffee is not for people being in a hurry. Ordering a ca phe phin, you will have time talking to your company or just sit back and chill while waiting for your cup filled with the black and bitter ca phe. This style of serving coffee is not so popular over the world anymore since it’s claimed to produce unstable quality of coffee. However, the Vietnamese are chasing something else rather than taste. It’s about a chilling habit and experience. Trieu Viet Vuong St is the rendezvous of café in Hanoi as it is packed with more cafés, ranging from family-run shops to more modern place preferred by teenagers, than any streets else in the capital city. The recommendation of a local can be Café Tho at 117 Trieu Viet Vuong. The place has been in business for three decades and drawings a consistent number of regular customers.
Hanoi is the birthplace of ca phe trung (egg coffee). If you are looking for strong coffee, the waking kind for early birds, don’t opt for that. Egg coffee verges towards a dessert tasting like liquid tiramisu, made from condensed milk, egg yolk, brewed coffee and, sometimes, smiling cow cheese. Its sweet and rich flavor is definitely suitable for a cozy night out. The first cup of egg coffee was whipped in the 1940s at 39 Nguyen Huu Huan (right on the edge of the Old Quarter). The tiny stools at the shop are not so great for relaxing posture, but the drink here is top notch. The shop also serves that smooth and good egg foam with mung beans or cocoa besides brewed coffee.
Recently, coffee has been added to some other smoothies and that new drink is here to stay. Intriguing smoothies are creamy blends of fresh fruit, added a touch of Vietnamese coffee. Try sing to ca phe chuoi bo (coffee blended with avocado and banana) in Hanoi and sinh to ca phe sapoche (coffee blended with sapodilla, an amazing custard-like tropical fruit). Sound cool and healthy?
Sometimes hanging out with friends makes you put a heavier weight on the view and the ambience. In that cases, you might consider Café Pho Co, at 11 Hang Gai St. The spot offer a stunning view over Hoan Kiem Lake. From the tranquil balcony overlooking that scenery, you can enjoy a fine coffee while contemplating the uninterrupted traffic flowing through the street winding up the lake.
If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City, La Tamia at 38/5 Tran Khac Chan is recommended. That retro café gives you a glimpse into old Saigon with its vintage sofa and collection of gramophones and antique TVs. A plus point, prices in Ho Chi Minh is a little bit softer.
Tips for your first trip to café in Vietnam
Not many cafés have unsweetened milk available. They often stick to super sweet, condensed milk if they do not serve other drinks like smoothies or others that are based on pasteurized milk. Lose your habit of ordering decaf coffee. Your choice is somehow limited with ca phe bac xiu (coffee with a serious amount of condensed milk) if you don’t want to take in much of caffeine.
If coffee with genuine taste is your thing or you have to keep your sugar intake in check, you should go for ca phe den (black coffee). Like dark chocolate, your black coffee deserves a touch of sugar to allow it to bring out its complex flavor. Most of café will bring you a separate jar of sugar. Otherwise, just ask for it duong (less sugar).
A long-lasting or old-mode café will not often serve quick eats. Newer cafes do. You better line your stomach before heading to some vintage café in Hanoi. In a pinch, you can nibble on sunflower seeds, a common dish in every sidewalk drink shop in the capital city.
We are eager to know about your coffee experience in Vietnam. Leave a comment and tell us what you’ve already known about Vietnamese coffee.