VIETNAMESE EGG COFFEE RECIPE: ENJOY FROTHY HEAVEN!
I’ll be the first to admit that the thought of adding raw egg to my coffee didn’t immediately appeal. But now that I’ve sampled Hanoi-style egg coffee (ca phe trung) for myself, I can’t stop singing the praises of this creamy, sweet caffeinated treat. So I’m excited to share this recipe with you today.
Read on to learn how to make a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee at home. Take it from a former skeptic, you will not be disappointed!
What is a Vietnamese Egg Coffee?
Vietnamese egg coffee (cà phê trứng) combines strong black coffee with egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk to create an incredibly rich but still balanced coffee drink.
It originated in Hanoi in 1946, the brainchild of local coffee shop owner Nguyen Van Giang (1). While the drink seems decadent today, it was actually devised to compensate for wartime milk shortages – eggs were more available than fresh milk. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its wonderful flavor and creamy texture.
Ingredients and Equipment
- 30 grams finely ground coffee
- 12 ounces hot water
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cinnamon or cocoa powder (optional toppings)
- Phin Vietnamese coffee filter
- Small whisk or electric mixer
At A Glance
Brew Time
2 minutes
Yield
Two 8-oz egg coffees
What is the best coffee for Vietnamese egg coffee?
Vietnamese robusta coffee beans are the best choice for a truly authentic experience (2). Robusta coffee is typically used because its full body and bold, earthy flavor are the perfect counterpart to the rich egg custard. However, low-quality robusta can taste rubbery or woody, so make sure you buy from a premium brand. My favorite is Nguyen Coffee Supply.
If you can’t track down good-quality robusta, an espresso blend or dark roast coffee featuring Sumatran beans is a great alternative with a similar flavor profile and mouthfeel.
What is the Vietnamese phin brewer?
Coffee is traditionally made in Vietnam using a phin brewer. It’s a unique drip-style coffee maker that yields an intense and flavorful cup (3). The phin brewer uses a metal filter and a fairly dense coffee bed that causes it to brew slowly, so the coffee it makes shares characteristics with an immersion method like a French press.
If you can’t track down a phin, use any regular coffee maker that can brew 12 ounces of strong coffee. I recommend a French press or Chemex. You can also use a Moka pot or espresso machine to make a rich Americano-style brew.
How to Make Vietnamese Egg Coffee (Step-By-Step Recipe)
Now that you’ve tracked down your coffee beans, we’re ready to make egg coffee. It’s a simple three-step recipe that any coffee lover can quickly master. In fact, with no steam wand required, I think it’s even easier than making a latte!
By the way, if you’re a fan of sweet whipped coffee, you might also enjoy Dalgona coffee – another Asian export that has achieved global coffee fame.
Step 1: Make The Whipped Egg Mixture
Combine the egg yolk, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk in a small bowl and whisk vigorously for 5 to 10 minutes.
The result should be pale yellow, aerated, and frothy. But it should still be fluid, not stiff peaks like whipped cream or a meringue.
Pro tip: Whipping such a small volume with an electric mixer is difficult. If you prefer not to mix by hand, consider doubling or tripling the recipe or using a small hand mixer or milk frother.
Step 2: Brew Coffee
Add the coffee grounds to the phin coffee filter, place it over a carafe or large glass, and add 12 ounces of 200 F water to the brewer. Let the coffee drip through for 4 to 5 minutes.
Divide the coffee between two 8-ounce glasses.
The traditional Vietnamese phin is the most authentic brewing method for egg coffee, but you can use any method you have on hand to prepare a strong coffee, including a Moka pot, French press, or espresso machine.
Pro tip: Preheat your serving glasses with hot water while the coffee brews. There is nothing worse than lukewarm egg coffee.
Step 3: Top Coffee With Egg Cream
Gently spoon half of the sweet egg mixture on top of each coffee. If you want, add a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon. Serve immediately.
Can I make an iced Vietnamese egg coffee?
You can make an iced version of egg coffee, though I prefer the classic Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da).
After making the egg mixture and brewing coffee, set both to chill separately in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Put your serving glasses in the freezer at the same time.
When the time is up, fill the chilled glasses with ice and pour over the cooled coffee. Spoon the chilled egg foam on top.
Final Thoughts
Who knew a simple mixture of whipped egg yolks and condensed milk spooned over coffee could be so delicious? It’s no wonder this rich and creamy Hanoi coffee drink has endured for decades, even though milk is no longer scarce in Vietnam.
Did you make this recipe? What did you think? Are you an egg-in-coffee convert? Let me know in the comments!
FAQs
Adding an egg to your coffee makes the beverage smooth and rich while adding nutritional value. Eggs are well-known emulsifiers, so whisking them into coffee creates a luscious texture while also adding protein, vitamins, and minerals to your morning drink (4).
Yes, you can make a non-dairy version of eggy coffee by substituting 2 tablespoons of coconut cream and 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar for the sweetened condensed milk. This also adds a subtle coconut flavor to the thick and creamy egg mixture, which you might or might not prefer.
Yes, Vietnamese egg coffee is safe to drink as long as you use fresh ingredients. While raw eggs can contain salmonella, the risk is exceedingly low. And if you’re concerned, you can use pasteurized eggs.
References
- Rummel, R. (n.d.). Vietnamese Egg Coffee. Retrieved from https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/vietnamese-egg-coffee
- Gustafsson, J. (2024, March 17). Coffee’s in danger: Can Vietnam’s Robusta save it from climate change? Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/3/17/as-climate-change-threatens-arabica-beans-can-quality-robusta-save-coffee
- Nguyen Coffee Supply. (2019, September 25). What is a Vietnamese Phin Filter? (And How To Use It). Retrieved from https://nguyencoffeesupply.com/blogs/news/vietnamese-coffee-phin-filter-stainless-steel
- Puglisi MJ, Fernandez ML. The Health Benefits of Egg Protein. Nutrients. 2022 Jul 15;14(14):2904. doi: 10.3390/nu14142904.
I am so glad to have found this! I have made my own variation on the Sri Lankan Brandy egg coffee many times since I found this recipe. I add less sugar, about the equivalent of maybe half a sugar cube, and I typically add a bit of vanilla extract. I usually omit the brandy altogether, but I’ve made it with the alcohol once and quite liked it! I was looking for something like this because I hate black coffee; I pretty much have to have at least half a cup of milk (and preferably a full cup) before I enjoy drinking it, but I was out of milk and had a bunch of eggs, and I’m so glad I found this!
Hey Ellie,
Glad you enjoyed it, and i’ll try your variation; it sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂