Vietnamese coffee is a strong, flavorful beverage traditionally made with dark-roasted Robusta beans and brewed using a unique metal filter called a phin, and mixed with a generous dollop of sweetened condensed milk.
As a coffee lover, I was blown away the first time I tasted authentic Vietnamese coffee. The intense, almost chocolatey flavor, coupled with the creamy sweetness of condensed milk, was unlike anything I’d experienced before.
In this article, I’ll discuss the secrets behind this traditional and cultural coffee drink. From its unique brewing methods to its various delicious variations, I’ll uncover what makes Vietnamese coffee so special.
How to Brew Vietnamese Coffee?
Vietnamese Coffee is traditionally brewed using a phin coffee filter. The Phin is a small metal filter that sits on top of a cup. It consists of a chamber, a meta filter, and a lid. Ground coffee is added to the chamber, then hot water is poured over it. The coffee slowly drips through the filter into the cup below. This method makes a very strong and full-bodied cup of coffee as no paper filters are used in the process.
Once the coffee is brewed, it is mixed with sweetened condensed milk, which gives it a thick texture and sweet creamy taste.
If you don’t have a Phin filter, a French press works well too. Both methods give you a tasty, strong coffee with a sweet kick.
How to make Vietnamese Coffee?
Here’s the list of ingredients and the step-by-step guide to making Vietnamese Coffee at home
What are The Ingredients you need to Make Vietnamese Coffee?
- Phin Coffee Filter
- 1 Cup Hot water (6-8 ounces)
- 1-2 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2-3 tbsp ground coffee (Medium Grind Size)
What is the Best Coffee for Vietnamese Coffee?
The ideal choice for Vietnamese coffee is a dark roasted blend of 100% Robusta beans. This makes a very strong coffee with a distinctly bitter taste that pairs exceptionally well with sweetened condensed milk, creating the signature balance of Vietnamese coffee.
I use Trung Nguyen coffee grounds which is one of the most popular brands from Vietnam. It offers various blends that capture the essence of traditional Vietnamese coffee, ensuring a genuine flavor experience. You can use nice Dark or French roast grounds from any other brand.
The perfect Grind size for Vietnamese Coffee is Medium or Medium Fine. Don’t go for too fine grounds it will make the taste of your coffee very bitter.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Vietnamese Coffee
1- Prepare the Phin Filter:
Begin by preheating your Phin filter with hot water. This step warms up the metal and helps maintain a consistent temperature during brewing. After preheating, discard the water and remove the filter plate. Now, add 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee to the filter.
Next, place the filter plate on top of the grounds. Here’s a crucial tip: don’t twist the filter plate on too tightly. A common mistake is over-compressing the coffee, which can clog the tiny holes and impede proper extraction. Instead, twist it on just enough to keep it in place, allowing water to flow through smoothly.
2. Add sweet Condensed Milk:
Pour some sweetened condensed milk into your cup. Here’s a little pro tip:
- Go for 1 oz if you like it regular
- Splash in 2 oz if you’ve got a sweet tooth
3- Brew Coffee with a Phin filter
Begin by pouring a small amount of hot water over the press to wet the grounds. This process, called “blooming,” enhances the coffee’s flavor. Wait about 30 seconds, then fill the filter with hot water. The coffee will now start to drip slowly through the filter and into your cup, mixing with the condensed milk below. This process typically takes 4-5 minutes.
4- Combine and enjoy your Vietnamese coffee:
Remove the Phin filter from your cup, once the coffee stops dripping. You’ll now have a beautiful layered drink with dark coffee sitting on top of the light-colored condensed milk. Give it a good stir to fully combine the strong, bitter coffee with the sweet, creamy milk.
Sip it hot, or pour it over ice for a refreshing ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee).
Check out Recipe of Spanish Latte – A very similar drink
How to make Vietnamese Iced Coffee
After brewing Vietnamese coffee you can chill it out with ice cubes to make a cool and refreshing beverage. Here’s how to do it:
- While your coffee is brewing, fill a tall glass with ice cubes. I like using big ice cubes or spheres – they keep the drink from getting watery too fast.
- Pour the freshly made Vietnamese Coffee over the ice in the glass. The hot coffee will immediately begin to cool as it comes into contact with the ice.
- Give your iced coffee a gentle stir to ensure it’s evenly cooled and well-mixed. You can garnish with a sprinkle of ground coffee on top or a small drizzle of condensed milk.
What I Love about Vietnamese Coffee?
First off, Vietnamese coffee has this bold, nutty kick that really gets me going – thanks to those intense Robusta beans that contain double the amount of caffeine. I heard they roast beans with a bit of sugar and butter, which explains those heavenly caramel and sugary flavors.
I’m also fascinated by how the traditional phin filter brewing method contributes to its unique taste and strength. What I really love is how thick and almost oily the coffee becomes when you add sweetened condensed milk, creating this perfect mix of bitter and sweet.
Read about 14 different coffee brewing methods
Variations of Vietnamese Coffee
1- Cà phê đen nóng – Hot black coffee
This is the purest form of Vietnamese coffee, brewed using the traditional phin filter. It’s strong, bold, and served hot with a little sugar. Vietnamese coffee beans really give a very intense coffee experience with a bitter aftertaste. Personally, I find it very strong and can’t imagine drinking it without adding a lot of sugar.
2- Cà Phê Sữa – Coffee with Milk
This is the iconic Vietnamese coffee made with sweetened condensed milk that we have discussed above! Cà phê sữa đá is prepared with ice cubes while Cà phê sữa Nong is served hot.
3- Cà phê sữa chua – Coffee with Yoghurt
This unique variation mixes strong coffee with yogurt and crushed ice. The tangy yogurt adds an interesting dimension to the coffee’s flavor. I find it’s an acquired taste, but those who love it swear by its refreshing taste.
4- Cà Phê Đá – Iced Black Coffee
Similar to Cà phê đen nóng but served over ice. The ice slowly melts, gradually diluting the strong coffee, which gives it a palatable and refreshing taste.
5- Cà phê Trững – Egg Coffee
A Hanoi specialty, this dessert-like coffee features a creamy topping made from whipped egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk. The rich, custard-like layer floats on top of strong black coffee.
6- Cà Phê Cot Đữá – Coconut Coffee
This Milkshake-like coffee beverage blends strong coffee with creamy coconut milk and a touch of condensed milk, all served over ice for a refreshing twist. This trendy drink has become a hit among young Vietnamese coffee lovers and tourists alike.
Read Guides on other exciting Coffee brewing methods
FAQs
How to make Vietnamese Coffee without a filter?
To make Vietnamese coffee without a traditional phin filter, a French press is your best bet. It makes a full-bodied drink using only metal filters much like a phin filter. Alternatively, you can use a pour-over method or drip machine, but be sure to use extra coffee grounds to achieve a strong flavor that stands up to the sweetness of the condensed milk.
How to make Vietnamese Coffee with instant coffee?
To make Vietnamese coffee with instant coffee, start by dissolving 2-3 teaspoons of instant coffee in a small amount of hot water to create a concentrated brew. Mix it with 2-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and serve over ice for a quick and easy version of cà phê sữa đá.
Why is Vietnamese Coffee strong?
Vietnamese coffee is stronger because it is made with Robusta beans, which have a naturally intense flavor and contain roughly twice the caffeine of Arabica beans. Additionally, the traditional phin filter brewing method employs only metal filters without paper, resulting in a thicker, full-bodied drink that delivers an intense and distinctive coffee experience.
Vietnamese Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- Phin Coffee Filter or French Press
Ingredients
- 6-8 oz Hot water
- 1-2 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2-3 tbsp Ground Coffee (Dark Roast Preferred)
- Ice Cubes (Optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Phin Filter: Start by rinsing the Phin filter with hot water, then add 2-3 tablespoons of coffee grounds. Place the filter plate on top, making sure not to tighten it too much.
- Add Condensed Milk: Pour 1-2 ounces of sweetened condensed milk into your cup, adjusting to your taste preference.
- Brew Coffee: First, saturate the coffee grounds with a small amount of hot water to bloom them. Then, fill the Phin filter with hot water and let it drip for 4-5 minutes.
- Combine and Enjoy: Once the coffee has finished dripping, remove the Phin filter and stir well to mix the strong coffee with the sweet, creamy condensed milk.
- Make Iced Vietnamese Coffee (Optional): If you prefer iced coffee, simply pour the coffee over a glass filled with ice cubes. Stir well to chill and enjoy your refreshing ca phe sua da.
