The first time I tried this coffee, a co-worker and I went to lunch. It was one of those rare days that we had time for a coffee afterward. My co-worker always ordered these, and he insisted that I try one. One sip, and I knew I had to make this at home. It was strong, freshly brewed coffee perfectly balanced with sweetened condensed milk. After ordering a phin filter online and experimenting with different coffee beans, I finally recreated that magical moment in my kitchen. Now, brewing Vietnamese coffee has become my weekend ritual.
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Table of Contents
What Makes Vietnamese Coffee So Good?
Vietnamese coffee achieves its distinctive excellence by combining elements that create a uniquely satisfying experience. The phin filter, a simple yet ingenious brewing device, allows for a slow extraction process that pulls maximum flavor from the coarsely ground coffee without over-extracting bitter notes. Unlike paper filters that absorb oils, the metal screens of the phin allow the coffee’s natural oils to pass through, creating a full-bodied brew with exceptional richness.
The slow dripping process, which takes about five minutes to complete, creates a concentrated brew that, when stirred with the sweetened condensed milk, results in the perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and creamy flavors that has made Vietnamese coffee beloved worldwide.
Ingredients You Will Need
To prepare this Vietnamese coffee recipe, you’ll need:
- Sweetened condensed milk – Provides the signature creamy sweetness that balances the strong coffee
- Ground coffee – Delivers robust flavor; traditionally a dark roast robusta coffee
- Hot water – Extracts the coffee flavors through the slow brewing process
Vietnamese coffee uses coarsely ground robusta coffee beans to achieve its high strength and rich flavor. You can find Vietnamese coffee brands at some grocery stores and online. Nguyen Coffee Supply is popular and sells authentic Vietnamese coffee, but it can be a little expensive.
Many people find Café du Monde coffee a decent substitute, although it contains chicory, which is not in traditional Vietnamese drip coffee.
Special Equipment You Will Need
Using Vietnamese coffee beans is nice, but the one thing you must have to make the best Vietnamese drip coffee is a ca phê phin filter. Most of the time in the US, it’s called a phin, and they are available online.
A pin is a particular style of the pour-over coffee brewer that uses two permanent screens instead of a paper filter. The coffee is strong because it can take four or five minutes to brew a small amount using a Vietnamese coffee maker.
You can also make strong coffee using another brewing method, like a French press, but it won’t have precisely the same flavor.
How to Make Vietnamese Drip Coffee
To prepare Vietnamese hot coffee using a phin filter:
- Boil water in a kettle.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the serving cup. You can use more or less depending on how you take your coffee, but Vietnamese coffee should be much sweeter than Western coffee.
- Measure the coffee into the base of the phin filter and shake to level.
- Place the base of the phin filter on the serving cup and put the top screen over the coffee grounds. Gently press down.
- Bloom the coffee by pouring just a little boiling water into the brewer. After 30 seconds, fill the brewer and cover it with the lid.
- Let the coffee slowly drip into the serving cup. It will take about five minutes to finish brewing.
- Remove the brewer from the serving cup and serve with a spoon. Allow the guest to stir the coffee.
What to Serve It With the Best Vietnamese Coffee
In Vietnam, traditional coffee people typically drink coffee without any snacks. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a treat with your Vietnamese-style coffee. The one consideration is that since Vietnamese coffee is very sweet, there may be better choices than the typical pastries with Western coffee. Here are a few better ones:
- Fresh fruit. Non-citrus fruits, like slices of mango or cantaloupe, are an excellent accompaniment to Vietnamese coffee.
- Toast with butter. Thick toast with butter and perhaps a bit of sweetened condensed milk spread on top.
- Spring roll. A thin rice wrapper stuffed with cooked shrimp, noodles, and vegetables is a great savory option.
Recipe Variations
Vietnamese hot coffee is the most common beverage in Vietnam, but the most popular way to enjoy this style of coffee in the US is iced coffee. Luckily, it’s simple: Brew the coffee as above and stir well. Pour the hot coffee over a glass of ice and stir again.
Another less well-known version of Vietnamese coffee is Cà Phê Trứng, also called Egg Coffee. This recipe may sound a little odd, but it’s delicious. However, it is worth noting that it does contain raw egg yolks, increasing your risk of foodborne illness:
- Start brewing the coffee using the phin filter.
- Whip one egg yolk into four tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
- Pour the coffee into a serving cup and top with the egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk mixture. The guest can choose to drink the coffee like a cappuccino or stir to combine.
Authentic Vietnamese Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa)
Ingredients
- 2 to 4 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tablespoons Cafe du Monde coffee
- 6 to 8 ounces boiling water
Instructions
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of a glass. Use more or less sweetened condensed milk depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
- Use a phin Vietnamese coffee filter (~6 ounces) or a French press to brew the coffee. If using a Vietnamese filter, remove the top screen and spread the coffee grounds evenly inside the filter. If your filter has a screw mechanism, screw down until the grounds are gently pressed, but not too tight.
- Place the filter over the glass containing the condensed milk. Pour a little hot water (just enough to wet the coffee grounds) into the filter and let it sit for about 20 to 30 seconds. This allows the coffee to “bloom.”
- After the bloom, fill the filter with hot water. The coffee will slowly drip into the glass over the sweetened condensed milk. This process might take 4 to 5 minutes. Be patient and enjoy the aroma!
- Once all the coffee has dripped through, stir well to mix the coffee with the sweetened condensed milk until it’s smooth and creamy. Drink it hot, or if you prefer an iced version, fill another glass with ice cubes and pour the mixed coffee over the ice.
Nutrition
Favorite Coffee Recipes
- Caramel Cappuccino
- Caramel Macchiato
- Cinnamon Coffee
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Honey Almondmilk Flat White
- Mocha Coffee
- Peppermint Mocha
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Salted Caramel Latte
- Vanilla Latte
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