If you think you’ve tried every coffee style under the sun, think again. Egg coffee (cà phê trứng) is Vietnam’s most decadent, unexpected caffeine treat—and it’s as steeped in history as it is in sweet, velvety foam. Born out of wartime necessity, this frothy marvel has evolved from a humble workaround into an Instagrammable must-try for foodies, caffeine junkies, and culture vultures alike.
A Drink Born from Resilience
Back in 1946, milk was a luxury. During the French-Vietnamese war, shortages meant creative substitutions had to be made, especially in hotels serving colonial guests. Nguyen Van Giang, a bartender at Hanoi’s Metropole Hotel, had the idea to whisk up egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk as a milk replacement. The result? A rich, frothy topping that paired surprisingly well with the strong, dark Vietnamese robusta coffee.
It wasn’t long before the concoction caught on, and Giang opened his own café in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Today, his family still runs Cafe Giang, which is considered the birthplace of the drink and a must-visit for anyone serious about cultural food experiences.
The Art and Alchemy of Egg Coffee
The process is part of the charm. Traditional egg coffee starts with a base of phin-filtered robusta, known for its bitter strength and chocolatey notes. Egg yolks are beaten with sweetened condensed milk and a touch of sugar until they become a frothy, custard-like foam. This creamy layer is gently spooned over the hot coffee, served in a small cup that often sits in a warm water bath to keep it from cooling too quickly.
What surprises most first-timers is the balance. The foam is sweet and velvety, but it doesn’t overpower the punch of the coffee beneath. You can stir the layers together or sip carefully to get the contrast—like biting into a tiramisu with a shot of espresso on the side.
Our Honest Experience
We first tried egg coffee on a walking tour through Hanoi’s tangled alleyways, where the motorbikes blur by and the smell of street food fills the air. Tucked away behind a faded yellow building, the cafe felt almost like a secret.
The drink arrived warm, rich, and topped with a cloud of golden foam. At first sip, we were hooked. It was unlike anything we'd tried before—not quite dessert, not quite coffee, but something that danced in-between. The robusta hit hard at the base, but the foam softened the blow, leaving a creamy finish that lingered pleasantly on the tongue.
This wasn’t just a beverage. It was a taste of post-war innovation, of generational craft passed down through a family, of a culture that knows how to turn necessity into something luxurious.
Egg Coffee Goes Glam: The Golden Upgrade
Recently, egg coffee has gotten a luxury makeover. In several five-star hotels in Hanoi, you can now order "Golden Egg Coffee," where the drink is crowned with a delicate layer of edible 24-karat gold leaf. It’s a photogenic twist on the traditional, and while the gold adds no flavor, it certainly adds flair.
We tried this version at Dolce by Wyndham - Hanoi Golden Lake Hotel, where the egg foam was whipped to perfection and the gold shimmered under the light. Not only the coffee itself, but even the fine porcelain saucer and coffee spoon were rimmed with gold, completing the sense of indulgence. The price was steeper - around 150,000 VND (~$6) but the experience felt indulgent in the best way. It’s not for everyone, but for those looking to treat themselves, it offers a fun, extravagant spin on an otherwise humble drink.
According to Hoang Quoc Viet, head of the restaurant department at the hotel, their restaurant has been welcoming guests since 2021 and golden egg coffee was one of the first items on the official menu. Along with the restaurant's gold-plated beef steak, it's become one of their most symbolic and best-selling items. "Out of every 10 customers, 8 order the golden egg coffee," Viet shared.
The clientele isn't limited to foreigners. Many domestic tourists from the southern provinces and nearby cities come specifically to try this drink. Thuy Linh, a visitor who came to experience the golden egg coffee firsthand, described it as the most delicious and beautiful version she's ever had. "It has the creamy richness of the egg, the subtle bitterness of the coffee, and the luxury of the gold — it's an elegant, elevated drink experience," she said.
More Than a Drink: A Cultural Statement
Egg coffee isn’t just popular among locals. It’s attracted global fans, from Apple CEO Tim Cook to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It’s been spotlighted in major food publications and included in TasteAtlas’s list of the world’s best coffee drinks.
CEO Apple - Tim Cook enjoying his egg coffee
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (wearing a gray suit, seated in the center) joined Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and other officials for coffee at a restaurant located in a colonial-era villa on Hang Bun Street in September 2023. Mr. Blinken also chose egg coffee.
What makes it so special? For one, it embodies the Vietnamese knack for doing more with less—a culinary creativity born from difficult times. It’s also a showcase of technique: if the eggs aren’t fresh or the foam isn’t whipped just right, the drink can taste off. But in the hands of a skilled barista, it becomes liquid gold (with or without the actual gold).
And while egg coffee originated in Hanoi, you can now find it in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Da Nang. Each region puts its own spin on the drink—some sweeter, some stronger—but the heart of it remains: robusta and egg, working in harmony.
Tips for Travelers
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, don’t miss the chance to try egg coffee in its birthplace. Hanoi offers the most authentic experience, especially in family-run cafes like Giang or Dinh. Go early to avoid the crowds, and take your time. Let the foam settle. Let the coffee speak.
For those more adventurous, try it iced. While less traditional, iced egg coffee is surprisingly refreshing in Vietnam’s humid climate. Some modern cafes also experiment with versions that include cheese, rum, or even matcha - a playful nod to the drink’s adaptable nature.
Explore Vietnam Through Taste
Egg coffee is just one of many ways Vietnam tells its story through food and drink. Every region has a flavor, a technique, a dish rooted in history. And when you travel with a local expert, you get more than a trip—you get context, connection, and discovery.
Our team at Vietnam Local Tour Company specializes in culture-rich experiences. Whether it’s a coffee tasting tour in Hanoi or a cooking class in Hoi An, we bring you face-to-face with Vietnam’s most authentic flavors.
So next time you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, skip the generic itineraries. Come taste Vietnam’s culture - one cup of egg coffee at a time.
