Whenever I quiz my international friends about Vietnamese cuisine, the top hits are always Phở, Bánh Mì, and Coffee.
Of course, there’s more to Vietnamese food, but today, let’s talk about Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee), the heart and soul of Saigon’s vibe!!
In Vietnam, coffee isn’t just a drink! It’s a whole culture.
Coffee is a legacy of French influence on Vietnamese cuisine from the colonial era.
Besides coffee, there are many delicious French-Vietnamese fusion dishes, such as Liver Pâté, Vietnamese Yogurt and Pâté Chaud (Vietnamese meat pies).
Coffee culture also is the inspiration for many popular songs among the Vietnamese youngster, such as this “Cà Phê” by Min.
When you’re in Vietnam, you’ll quickly notice that every street is dotted with coffee shops, big or small, part of a chain or a cozy local spot. And I’m sure that coffee is one of the must-have Vietnamese souvenirs to bring back from your trip.
Related Recipes | Beyond Vietnamese Iced Coffee
(Cà Phê Muối)
(Cà Phê Trứng)
(Bạc Xỉu)
(Cà Phê Dừa)
What makes an authentic Cà Phê Sữa Đá?
Three key points for an authentic Vietnamese coffee:
- Robusta Coffee: Robusta coffee is known for its robust, nutty, and dark chocolate-like flavor compared to Arabica. Choose a Vietnamese coffee blend with a high ratio of Robusta.
- Phin filter: The metal Phin filter is the go-to method for dripping coffee in Vietnam. I’ll share some tips on how to use a phin to brew coffee like a true Vietnamese later.
- Condensed milk: condensed milk helps balance out the bitter and bold flavor of Robusta coffee. If you want to make traditional Vietnamese coffee, don’t substitute it with evaporated milk or fresh milk.
How to Choose Vietnamese Coffee
Coffee Brands
I’ve previously shared a post about the top Vietnamese coffee brands for your Vietnam trip. My love is for Là Việt and Sơn Pacamara. However, outside of Vietnam, Trung Nguyên is much more accessible, whether you’re in North America or Europe.
Coffee Grind Sizes
Since we’ll be using a phin filter for coffee dripping, ensure your ground coffee falls within the medium to medium-coarse range . The phin filter takes its time to drip, and if the ground coffee are too fine, the result will be overly strong.
What is a Phin filter?
A Phin filter consists of a chamber sitting on a perforated plate, an insert tamper to compress the coffee grounds, and a lid to retain heat during the brewing process.
How to enjoy Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Bring authentic Vietnamese Street Food to your kitchen
(Hanoi-style)
(Northern Rice Noodles with Grilled Pork)
(Vietnamese Turmeric Noodle Soup)
Vietnamese Coffee (Iced Option: Cà Phê Sữa Đá)
Equipment
- 1 Phin Coffee Filter
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Vietnamese ground coffee (heaped)
- Filtered Water
- Condensed milk (to your taste)
Instructions
- Heat your filtered water until it reaches a gentle boil (175°F or 80°C).
- Rinse the Phin filter with boiling water. It will help the coffee bloom and extract better.
- Add a heaped tablespoon of ground coffee to the phin chamber. Gently shake it to distribute the coffee evenly. Place the tamper on the coffee (DO NOT press it).
- Drizzle some hot water onto the phin lid. Then, place the chamber on top of the lid.
- Afterward, add a bit of water to the ground coffee—just enough to moisten them and allow the grind to bloom a bit.
- Move the chamber onto the phin plate and then place it over your coffee glass. Be careful, as the phin is now hot.
- Fill the filter and let it drip. Place the lid on top. The recommended brewing time is around 4-5 minutes. If your phin gets clogged, use a spoon to unclog beneath the filter.
- Pour condensed milk to your liking, stir to combine, and you've got Cà Phê Sữa.
- Add ice cubes or crushed ice, and your Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) is ready.
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