Deutsch 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.
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.
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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.
Much like Bánh Mì and Vietnamese yogurt, coffee is a legacy of French influence on Vietnamese cuisine.
I’m sure many of you are already familiar with Vietnamese iced coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) or Vietnamese egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng).
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.
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 filled with tons of historical imperial spots, super-friendly locals, and food that’s just out of this world (just thinking about the Hue foods makes me ravenously hungry).
Beside Salt Coffee, when in Huế, you should try:
- Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup): a must-try.
- Chè (Vietnamese sweet soup)
- Cơm Hến (baby clam rice)
- Bún Thịt Nướng (rice noodle salad with grilled pork): differs significantly from its popular version.
- Bánh Khoái: the Huế version of Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese sizzling pancakes).
- Huế-style dumplings: Bánh Bột Lọc, Bánh Nậm, Bánh Ít Trần…
- Huế-style vegan dishes like vegan Bún Bò Huế, vegan savory dishes served with steamed 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.
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):
- 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.
For the coffee part, you’ll need Vietnamese coffee (instant or drip coffee) and sweetened condensed milk.
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.
Instructions
Prepare the coffee
- Prepare the instant coffee following the instructions on the packaging. For two sachets of instant coffee, I will use 1/2 cup of hot water.
- Combine the instant coffee with condensed milk and set it aside.
Prepare the salted cream
- Mix the whipping cream with sugar and salt. Use a hand mixer with just one beater to whip the cream until it becomes frothy (similar to the photo).
- In a glass with ice cubes, pour in the coffee, then add some salted cream on top. Enjoy!!
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).
- You could use granulate sugar instead of icing sugar.
- 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 Pate Sô, 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.
Authentic Cà Phê Muối/Cafe Muối (Vietnamese Salt Coffee)
Equipment
- 1 hand mixer
Ingredients
- 2 sachets Vietnamese instant coffee
- ½ cup hot water
- 1½ tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- ice cubes
- ½ cup whipping cream / heavy cream (120g)
- 1 tbsp icing sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Follow the instructions on the instant coffee packaging to make it. I'm using 1/2 cup of hot water for two sachets.
- Combine the coffee with condensed milk, then set it aside.
- Mix whipping cream with sugar and salt, then use a hand mixer with one beater to whip the cream until it's frothy.
- In a glass with ice cubes, pour in the coffee, and top it off with some salted cream. Time to savor!
Notes
- Vietnamese coffee works best for this recipe, but any regular coffee will do. Vietnamese coffee tends to have more Robusta for a bolder flavor than Arabica.
- Opt for granulated sugar if you don’t have icing sugar on hand.
- I use regular cooking salt for this recipe, but feel free to experiment with sea salt, coarse salt, or Himalayan pink salt. Adjust the quantity carefully due to varying saltiness levels.
- A whisk works, but a hand mixer is a game-changer, saving time and energy.
- Adjust the coffee-to-cream ratio to your taste.
- The salted cream isn’t just for coffee or tea; it pairs wonderfully with pudding desserts like milk carton flan.
I tried. It’s so tasty. Thank you for your recipe. Now I can deink salted coffee at home.
Herzlichen Dank für dieses Rezept – verbrachte gerade 3 1/2 Wochen in Vietnam und lernte neue Kaffeearten kennen – egg coffee und eben salt coffee
Entschuldigung für meine späte Antwort. Es freut mich, dass du eine angenehme Zeit in meinem Heimatland hast. Wir haben sogar den Kokoskaffee, dessen Rezept ich später schreiben werde :).