Coming all the way from Huế, Cà Phê Muối (Vietnamese Salt Coffee / Salted Coffee / Salted Cream Coffee) is creating quite a buzz among the coffee lovers in Vietnam.

A glass of Vietnamese Salted Cream Coffee (Cà Phê Muối)

This unique drink features the classic Vietnamese iced coffee base, topped with an exceptional salted cream froth. I have a feeling it’s on the brink of becoming a favorite among fans of Vietnamese cuisine.

What is Cà Phê Muối?

Cà Phê Muối, or “Salt Coffee” in Vietnamese, might seem puzzling at first, but the salt isn’t actually in the coffee itself. Instead, it’s blended into the creamy froth that sits on top.

Salted desserts are nothing new (hello, salted caramel everything!), but with this “salt coffee,” the cream froth isn’t overly sweet. The addition of salt enhances the flavor, elevating it to a whole new level.

The French colonization of Vietnam gave rise to many French-Vietnamese fusion dishes—not just the famous Bánh Mì and coffee, but also lesser-known treats like Vietnamese yogurt and Pâté Chaud.

I’m sure many of you are already familiar with Vietnamese iced coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) or Vietnamese egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng).

A glass of Vietnamese coffee — Vietnamese drip coffee

We Vietnamese can’t get enough of coffee (and maybe milk tea). As a proud Vietnamese native, born and raised there but now living abroad, my love for these drinks runs deep.

Ever since I was little, I’ve enjoyed pouring iced coffee over Bánh Flan (yes, that’s how we eat flan caramel in Vietnam). As I’ve grown older, I’ve completely fallen for Bạc Xỉu, which is more like coffee-flavored milk.

Vietnamesse flan — The real-deal Vietnamese flan is with coffee

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with avocado coffee (Cà Phê Bơ or Sinh Tố Bơ Cà Phê). It’s a delightful blend of iced coffee and avocado smoothie (Sinh Tố Bơ).

So, Cà Phê Muối… My “first time” with it happened in Huế, its hometown, and it was just love at first sip.

Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, is kind of like the Kyoto of Japan. This serene place is brimming with historical imperial landmarks, incredibly friendly locals, and food that’s absolutely out of this world (just thinking about the dishes from Huế makes me ravenously hungry).

Besides Cà Phê Muối, when in Huế, you can’t miss Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup), various types of Chè (sweet dessert soup), Hue-style Bún Thịt Nướng or Cơm Hến (baby clam rice).

History and where to enjoy Cà Phê Muối in Vietnam

Cà Phê Muối originated in 2012, thanks to a charming couple in Huế, Mr. Phong and Mrs. Hương, who wanted to add a unique touch to their small coffee shop.

The name, inspired by Mrs. Hương’s favorite online love story, perfectly complements the “slightly salty” flavor of this coffee drink.

Hailing from Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Cà Phê Muối (Salted Cream Coffee) is creating a buzz in the local coffee scene. I'm confident it will capture the hearts of all Vietnamese cuisine enthusiasts.

This coffee drink was embraced by both the locals of Huế and tourists. It soon gained popularity across Vietnam.

By 2023, a man named Dương Thanh Long recognized its potential as a trending drink. Through TikTok, he made his coffee cart go viral among Vietnamese youth with his “Cà Phê Muối” under the brand “Cà Phê Muối Chú Long” or “Uncle Long’s Salt Coffee.”

The way Cà Phê Muối became a national sensation and appeared on many coffee shop menus throughout Vietnam is reminiscent of the rise of Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) a few years ago.

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, you’ll easily find “salt coffee” in many coffee shops across major cities like Hanoi, Saigon, or Danang. However, if you find yourself in Huế, I’ll share the details on the original Cà Phê Muối spot and some local favorites.

Cà Phê Muối Origin (owned by Mr. Phong and Mrs. Hương):
- Coffee Shop 1
- Coffee Shop 2
Giao Cafe
Trốn Cafe
Son Studio

Ingredients

If you can’t jet off to Vietnam right now, no worries—I’ve got you covered to prepare this special coffee at home 😉 .

Vietnamese Coffee

You can use either instant Vietnamese coffee or Vietnamese coffee brewed with a Phin filter. Here, I’m using instant coffee from a popular Vietnamese coffee brand to save time (remember to pick the black and sugar-free coffee).

For the traditional drip coffee, check out my recipe for Cà Phê Sữa Đá.

Salted Cream Froth

In Vietnam, the cream froth is frequently made with non-dairy topping cream to keep costs down (all good so far), but dairy whipping cream provides a much better flavor.

To prepare the salted cream, you’ll need whipping cream, icing sugar, and salt.

Salted cream for Vietnamese ca phe muoi.

Helpful Tips

While Vietnamese coffee is ideal for this recipe, you can also use any regular coffee you have on hand. (Vietnamese coffee typically has a higher ratio of Robusta coffee, known for its stronger flavor compared to Arabica coffee).
I personally use regular cooking salt for this recipe, but feel free to experiment with sea salt, coarse salt, or Himalayan pink salt. Just adjust the quantity since the saltiness may vary.
Adjust the ratio of coffee and cream according to your preferences.

How to enjoy Cà Phê Muối

Just drink the coffee together with the salted cream; for me, it’s the best way. Don’t blend them together.
Enjoy them for breakfast after a steaming bowl of Phở, Bò Kho, or a fancy plate of Cơm Tấm or Xôi Mặn. You’re truly a Vietnamese now.
Salt Coffee pairs perfectly with some snacks, making for a light meal. Whether it’s sweet Pandan Waffles or savory Bánh Bao, they all complement each other wonderfully.
In addition to coffee or tea, the salted cream also pairs wonderfully with various pudding desserts, such as milk carton flan.

Thanks a bunch for giving my recipe a shot! If you enjoyed it, I’d truly appreciate a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating or a comment to let me know your thoughts.

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