Welcome to Hanoi, the vibrant heart of Vietnam, where the pulse of a rich coffee culture beats through the city’s bustling streets. In a place where tradition and modernity seamlessly blend, it’s the cafes that serve as the backdrop to countless tales, whispered over cups of aromatic brews.
Among Hanoi’s treasures is a local specialty that’s as unique as it is beloved – egg coffee. This indulgent elixir combines the robust notes of strong coffee with the creamy richness of egg yolks, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. If you’re in Hanoi, this is an experience you simply can’t miss. Join us on a delightful journey as we unveil the top 6 places in Hanoi to savor this one-of-a-kind drink, a true testament to the city’s culinary creativity!
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Contents
What Is Egg Coffee?
Egg coffee, also known as “ca phe trung” in Vietnamese, is a unique and beloved local specialty in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is made with strong coffee, egg yolks, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. The egg yolks are whipped until light and fluffy, and then they are added to the coffee base. The result is a rich and creamy drink with a unique flavor and texture.
How Egg Coffee Started?
The invented egg coffee came up in the 1940s during the French colonial period. At the time, there was a shortage of fresh milk in Hanoi, so a bartender at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi began using egg yolks as a substitute. The drink quickly became popular, and it has remained a beloved Hanoi specialty ever since.
The Art Of Serving Egg Coffee
The traditional egg coffee in Hanoi is typically served hot, and it is often topped with a thick layer of whipped egg cream and cinnamon. It can also be served cold, and it is sometimes paired with other desserts, such as tiramisu or ice cream.
Vietnamese egg coffee is a delicious and unique way to experience Hanoi’s coffee culture. It is also a popular tourist attraction, and many cafes in Hanoi offer egg coffee classes.
Top 6 Spots To Try The Best Egg Coffee In Hanoi
When it comes to discovering the finest flavors Hanoi has to offer, egg coffee stands out as an unforgettable gem. In this section, we’ve handpicked the top 6 spots to savor the best egg coffee in Hanoi. Let’s explore these down-to-earth locales that serve up a piece of Hanoi’s heart and soul in each cup of this creamy, sweet delight!
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1. Cafe Giang – Source Of Egg Coffee In Hanoi
Cafe Giang is considered the birthplace of egg coffee in Hanoi. It was founded in 1946 by Nguyen Van Giang, who invented the drink while working as a bartender at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Cafe Giang is a small, traditional cafe in Hanoi. It has a simple and unassuming decor, but it is always packed with locals and tourists alike.
- Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ambiance
Cafe Giang has a cozy and traditional atmosphere. The coffee shop is small and intimate, with just a few tables and chairs. The walls are decorated with old photos and newspaper clippings about the cafe and its famous egg coffee in Hanoi.
What’s Special There
Cafe Giang has one of the best egg coffee cups in Hanoi. But the cafe also offers a variety of other traditional drinks, such as ca phe sua da (coffee with condensed milk and ice) and ca phe trung (coffee with egg yolk and sugar).
Tips For Trying Egg Coffee In This Spot
- Cafe Giang is very well-known, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially during peak hours.
- The cafe is small and intimate, so it is not the best place for large groups.
- Cafe Giang also offers a variety of other traditional drinks such as fresh milk coffee, so be sure to try some of those as well.
2. Dinh Cafe
Dinh Cafe is another well-known spot for egg coffee in Hanoi. It has a cozy and traditional atmosphere. Dinh Cafe is known for its friendly staff and its rich and creamy egg coffee in Hanoi.
- Address: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ambiance
Dinh Cafe has a cozy and traditional atmosphere. The cafe is small and intimate, with just a few tables and chairs. The walls are decorated with old photos and newspaper clippings about the cafe and its famous egg coffee in Hanoi.
What’s Special There
Dinh Cafe’s egg coffee in Hanoi is famous for its rich and creamy flavor. The iced egg coffee is made with a strong coffee base, egg cream, sugar, and condensed milk. The egg yolk is whipped until it is light and fluffy, and then they are added to the coffee base. Cafe Dinh’s egg coffee taste is rich and creamy with a unique coffee flavor and texture.
Tips For Trying Egg Coffee In This Spot
- Dinh Coffee is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially during peak hours.
- The cafe is small and intimate, so it is not the best place for large groups.
- If you are trying egg coffee for the first time, I recommend ordering the hot version. It is the most traditional and popular way to enjoy egg coffee.
Fun fact: Dinh Cafe was once visited by Penny Wong, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs. She praised the cafe’s egg coffee, saying that it was “a delicious and authentic experience.“
3. Cafe Pho Co
Cafe Pho Co is a unique and stylish cafe in Hanoi. It is known for its modern decor, its friendly staff, and its delicious egg coffee in Hanoi.
- Address: 11 Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ambiance
Cafe Pho Co has a modern and stylish atmosphere. The cafe is decorated with wooden furniture, white walls, and large windows that offer views of the Old Quarter. The cafe also has a rooftop terrace where customers can enjoy their coffee and the views of the city.
What’s Special There?
Cafe Pho Co is known for its unique and stylish decor. The cafe also offers a variety of other coffee drinks, such as drip coffee, freshly brewed coffee, and iced latte. In addition to coffee, Cafe Pho Co also serves a variety of Vietnamese and international dishes, such as pho, banh mi, and croissants.
Tips For Trying Egg Coffee In This Spot
- The cafe has a rooftop terrace where customers can enjoy the taste of egg coffee and the views of the city.
- Cafe Pho Co also serves a variety of Vietnamese and international dishes, so be sure to try some of those as well.
Fun fact: Cafe Pho Co is owned by a group of young Vietnamese entrepreneurs who are passionate about coffee and Vietnamese culture. They wanted to create a cafe that would showcase the best of both worlds.
4. Cafe Lam
Cafe Lam is a popular spot for hot egg coffee in Hanoi. It is known for its friendly staff, its cozy atmosphere, and its delicious egg coffee in Hanoi.
- Address: 95 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Ambiance
Cafe Lam has a cozy and traditional atmosphere. The cafe is small and intimate, with just a few tables and chairs. The walls are decorated with old photos and newspaper clippings about the cafe and its best egg coffee in Hanoi.
What’s Special There?
Cafe Lam serves egg coffee in an authentic flavor. Cafe Lam’s egg coffee is also topped with a thick layer of egg cream and cinnamon, which adds to its richness and flavor.
Tips For Trying Egg Coffee In This Spot
- Cafe Lam is a popular coffee shop, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially during peak hours.
- The cafe is small and intimate, so it is not the best place for large groups.
- If you are trying egg coffee for the first time, I recommend ordering the hot version. It is the most traditional and popular way to enjoy the best egg coffee.
- Cafe Lam also offers a variety of other traditional Vietnamese coffee drinks, so be sure to try some of those as well.
Fun fact: Cafe Lam has been featured in several travel magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times and National Geographic.
5. Hanoi Time Coffee
Hanoi Time Coffee is a quaint café that boasts a vintage Hanoi style and a picturesque view of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is decorated with antique items that showcase the rich history of Hanoi, such as radios and typewriters.
- Address: 39 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ambiance
Hanoi Time Coffee has a cozy and nostalgic ambiance. The café is small and intimate, with just a few tables and chairs. The walls are decorated with old photos and newspaper clippings about Hanoi, and the furniture is made of wood and leather. The café also has a balcony where customers can enjoy their coffee and the views of Hoan Kiem Lake.
What’s Special There?
Hanoi Time Coffee is known for its vintage décor and its picturesque view of Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi Time Coffee’s egg coffee is also served in a beautiful glass cup, which adds to the overall experience.
Tips For Trying Egg Coffee In This Spot
- Hanoi Time Coffee is a popular spot, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially during peak hours.
- The coffee shop is small and intimate, so it is not the best place for large groups.
- Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view of Hoan Kiem Lake from the café’s balcony.
Fun fact: Hanoi Time Coffee is a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike. Many people come to the café to enjoy a cup of egg coffee and the nostalgic atmosphere.
6. The Note Coffee
The Note Coffee is a unique and popular cafe in Hanoi. It is known for its colorful walls covered in sticky notes written by customers. The cafe also offers a variety of Vietnamese coffee drinks, including egg coffee in Hanoi.
- Address: 64 Luong Van Can Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ambiance
The Note Coffee has a lively and eclectic atmosphere. The cafe is small and intimate, with just a few tables and chairs. The walls are covered in sticky notes written by customers, which creates a unique and colorful backdrop. The cafe also has a rooftop terrace where customers can enjoy their coffee and the views of Vietnam’s capital city corners.
What’s Special There?
The Note Coffee is known for its colorful walls covered in sticky notes written by customers. The cafe also offers a variety of Vietnamese coffee drinks, including egg coffee.
Tips For Trying Egg Coffee In This Spot
- The Note Coffee is a popular spot, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially during peak hours.
- The cafe is small and intimate, so it is not the best place for large groups.
- Be sure to take a moment to write a sticky note and add it to the wall. It’s a fun way to participate in the cafe’s unique tradition.
Fun fact: The Note Coffee has been featured in several travel magazines and newspapers, including Lonely Planet and The Guardian.
Ready For A Cup Of Egg Coffee In Hanoi?
As we wrap up our egg coffee tour in Hanoi, it’s like bidding farewell to old friends. These cafes have been more than places to sip a delicious brew; they’ve been the backdrop to laughter, conversations, and unforgettable moments. The warmth of Hanoi’s coffee culture is a reflection of its people – friendly and genuine. Whether you’re a coffee lover or a curious traveler, these cafes have shown you a glimpse of local life, where coffee isn’t just a drink, but a shared experience.
As you step out of these cozy spots, carry with you the memories of heartfelt hospitality and rich flavors. In Hanoi, a cup of egg coffee is a taste of tradition and an invitation to connect. So, as you continue your journey through the lively streets of Hanoi, remember that the most meaningful experiences often come from the simplest pleasures and the connections we make along the way!
