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Learn how to make authentic Vietnamese coffee at home in 2025. Before diving into the recipe, let’s explore what makes this coffee unique. The drink has a rich, bittersweet, creamy, and smooth flavor. A traditional Vietnamese coffee or viet coffee is made with Robusta beans, known for their higher caffeine content and intense flavor. Some prefer Arabica beans for a smoother flavor, but for authenticity, Robusta is essential.
The most tasteful aspect of this drink is the use of sweetened condensed milk, which adds creaminess and balances the bitterness of the Robusta beans. It is served both hot and cold (Cà Phê Sữa Đá), depending on preference. Vietnamese coffee represents the rich and creative culture of Vietnam through its brewing method and ingredients.
The Secret Weapon: What Is a Phin Filter?
The uniqueness of this drink is enhanced with the tools used in its preparation. The Phin filter is a Vietnamese coffee press that functions like a drip brewer. Simple and easy to use, it helps create a smooth cup of hot or iced Vietnamese coffee.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Vietnamese Coffee with a Phin Filter
Follow this step-by-step guide to make a brilliant recipe for Vietnamese coffee.
Essential Ingredients for The Best Vietnamese Coffee
- Coffee grounds* 3 tbsp (18 g)
- Condensed Milk** 2 tbsp
- Water 4 cups
- Ice cubes 16
Prepare the Perfect Vietnamese Coffee
- Gather all the Vietnamese coffee ingredients.
- Add coffee grounds in the phin filter after removing the lid and screen from it. Spread coffee grounds evenly in the filter and place the screen with some push until it resists. Place the lid so we can proceed to the next step.
- Place a filter on a plate to avoid spills on the table. Place the lid and add 60 ml of hot water for steeping. Let steep for 4-5 minutes. (be careful with steeping time, over steeping may affect the taste)
- Add condensed milk in a big coffee cup. And place a phin filter over the cup. All coffee drips all in the cup over condensed milk. It may take about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir coffee and condensed milk well until fully combined. Add some ice if you want to make it a Vietnamese iced coffee and serve immediately.
Health Conscious? Here are the Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 62 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Caffeine: 440 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
These are approximate nutrition values according to the ingredients mentioned above for the cafe vietnamese coffee. Using different ingredients will have an impact on nutrition accordingly.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Vietnamese Coffee
- Too Hot Water: Avoid too hot water; 95ºC is ideal to preserve taste and aroma.
- Steeping Time: Steep for 4-5 minutes only; over-steeping increases bitterness.
- Water: Always use filtered water for purity and better taste.
Creative Variations for Vietnamese Coffee
We have already mentioned the recipe for hot and iced Vietnamese coffee with milk (ca phe nau) . There are more options to customize your viet coffee. You can get the following variety of coffee by some additional ingredients:
- Salted coffee
- Vietnamese egg coffee
- Coconut Coffee
Vietnamese Salted Coffee
One famous Vietnamese coffee recipe is Vietnamese salted coffee. The recipe is also called Ca Phe Muoi in vietnamese. The main ingredients of the recipe are: Brewed coffee, heavy whipped cream, salt and sugar.
Whipped cream, salt and sugar is whipped in a big coffee cup. Pour brewed coffee over this mixture and enjoy.
Vietnamese Egg Coffee
In this recipe egg yolk is whipped in condensed milk until the volume becomes more than doubled and has soft peaks. Pour Espresso in the cup and top it with whipped egg & condensed milk. Your Vietnamese coffee with egg is ready.
Coconut Coffee
The Vietnamese coconut coffee is another amazing flavored drink with maintained tradition. The recipe is simple to make. Mix condensed milk and coconut cream together and pour brewed coffee into it while stirring gently. The traditional coconut coffee is ready to serve.
The Best Coffee Beans for Vietnamese Coffee
Many people prefer Arabica coffee beans for their Vietnamese coffee as they are more sweet and aromatic which enhances the sweetness of the drinks. It has less caffeine and makes the texture more creamy.
On the other hand Robusta coffee beans have a bold flavor that increases the tasteful bitterness of the drink. However, it is a secondary choice for most but it makes Vietnamese much better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vietnamese Coffee
What is vietnamese coffee
It is a traditional coffee made with Vietnamese robusta coffee beans. Another special thing about it is the phin filter. The phin filter is a traditional tool to brew coffee for this recipe.
How to make vietnamese coffee
You need coffee grounds, condensed milk, water and ice cubes. Add coffee grounds to the phin filter, add some water for steeping. After steeping for 4-5 minutes, brew coffee in a coffee cup. Add condensed milk and stir until mixed.
What makes Vietnamese coffee different from regular coffee?
The special vietnamese robusta coffee beans and the traditional phin filter makes vietnamese coffee different from a regular coffee.
What is the best condensed milk for Vietnamese coffee?
Sweetened condensed milk is the best milk for Vietnamese coffee. If you use unsweetened condensed milk you might need to add sugar.
