Egg Coffee in Hanoi: Top 5 Cafes to Try This Iconic Local Drink

When talking about Hanoi’s culinary icons, egg coffee is a name no traveler should miss. For many visitors, egg coffee stands out as a true Hanoi specialty that reflects the city’s culinary creativity and traditions. This unique drink blends the bold bitterness of Vietnamese coffee with a smooth, creamy layer of whipped egg, creating a flavor that feels both comforting and surprising.

In this post, Vietpower Travel invites you to explore the story behind egg coffee, how locals enjoy it, and the best places in Hanoi to experience this iconic drink.

1. What Is Egg Coffee?

Egg coffee (Vietnamese: cà phê trứng) is one of Hanoi’s most iconic specialties. At first glance, it may sound unusual, but the combination is surprisingly harmonious. A cup of strong Vietnamese black coffee is topped with a thick, velvety layer of egg foam made from whipped egg yolk, condensed milk, and sugar.

Unlike Western coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos that use fresh milk or cream, egg coffee relies on the richness of egg yolk to create its signature texture. The result is a smooth, creamy topping with a natural sweetness that balances the bold bitterness of Vietnamese Robusta coffee.

When prepared properly, egg coffee has no eggy smell at all. Instead, it tastes similar to a dessert-like coffee, often compared to tiramisu or custard cream, making it both comforting and distinctive for first-time visitors to Hanoi.

This unique combination makes egg coffee one of the most memorable creamy coffee experiences for visitors in Hanoi.

Let’s continue exploring more about Vietnam and its incredible culinary scene. Visit our Vietnam food & cuisine category to discover in-depth guides, dining tips, and local specialties across the country.

2. How Is Egg Coffee Made?

Traditional Hanoi egg coffee is made through a simple but delicate process that focuses on balance and technique rather than complex ingredients.

• Step 1: Brew the coffee: Strong Vietnamese Robusta coffee is brewed using a traditional phin filter. This slow-drip method creates a bold, aromatic base that can hold up well against the rich egg foam.
• Step 2: Prepare the egg foam: Fresh egg yolks are whipped with sweetened condensed milk and a small amount of sugar until the mixture becomes thick, smooth, and pale yellow. Proper whipping removes any eggy smell and gives the foam its signature creamy texture.
• Step 3: Combine and serve: The egg foam is gently poured over the hot coffee. The heat from the coffee lightly cooks the egg, allowing the flavors to blend naturally. The cup is often placed in a bowl of hot water to keep the drink warm while serving.

This careful process is what gives egg coffee its signature balance of bold coffee flavor and smooth, dessert-like cream.

Discover more posts on the same topic to deepen your culinary inspiration:

• Best Coffee in Hanoi: Top Local Cafés & Where to Find Them
• Filter Coffee in Hanoi: Top 5 Places for Traditional Phin Coffee

3. Top 5 Places to Try Egg Coffee in Hanoi

Hanoi is home to many cafés serving egg coffee, but not all of them offer the same level of authenticity and atmosphere. The places below are widely loved by both locals and visitors for their consistent quality, unique settings, and long-standing reputation.

Giang Café

Often considered the birthplace of egg coffee, Giang Café is where this iconic drink was first created. The egg foam here is thick, rich, and intensely creamy, paired with strong Vietnamese coffee. This is the best place to try egg coffee in its most traditional form.

• Address: 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem
• Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price range: 30,000–50,000 VND

Đinh Café

Located on the second floor of an old apartment building overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, Đinh Café offers a nostalgic Hanoi atmosphere. The egg coffee here has a bolder, slightly more bitter coffee base, creating a well-balanced contrast with the sweet egg foam.

• Address: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem
• Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Price range: Around 35,000 VND

Loading T Café

Loading T Café is set inside a beautifully restored French-style villa, making it ideal for travelers who enjoy quiet, elegant spaces. Its egg coffee is lighter and smoother, often featuring a subtle hint of cinnamon that adds a modern twist to the classic recipe.

• Address: 8 Chan Cam Street, Hoan Kiem
• Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Price range: From 30,000 VND

Cafe Phố Cổ

Hidden behind a narrow entrance, Cafe Phố Cổ opens up to a spacious interior and a rooftop view overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a popular stop for visitors who want to enjoy egg coffee while taking in one of Hanoi’s most iconic cityscapes.

• Address: 11 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem
• Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price range: 30,000–60,000 VND

The Note Coffee

Known for its colorful walls covered with handwritten notes from visitors around the world, The Note Coffee offers a lively and friendly atmosphere. Its egg coffee is slightly sweeter and visually appealing, making it especially popular with first-time visitors to Hanoi.

• Address: 64 Luong Van Can Street, Hoan Kiem
• Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
• Price range: 45,000–60,000 VND

Tips: If you prefer a pure, traditional egg coffee flavor, Giang Café or Đinh Café are the best choices. For a quieter, more aesthetic space that’s perfect for photos, Loading T Café or Cafe Phố Cổ are excellent options.

Explore more posts within this topic and uncover more of what Vietnam’s cuisine has to offer:

• Top 5 Street Coffee in Hanoi: A Local Guide to Sidewalk Cafés
• 5 Hidden Local Spots for Vietnamese Coffee Espresso in Hanoi

4. Tips to Enjoy Egg Coffee Like a Local

Egg coffee is best enjoyed slowly, and locals in Hanoi have their own simple habits to fully appreciate its flavor and texture.

• Use a spoon to taste the egg foam first so you can experience its creamy, dessert-like richness.
• Keep the cup in the bowl of hot water to maintain warmth and prevent the egg layer from cooling too quickly.
• Stir gently when mixing the coffee and egg foam to preserve the smooth, velvety texture.
• Try egg coffee with ice on hot days for a refreshing version that tastes similar to coffee ice cream.
• Take your time and enjoy the drink at a relaxed pace, just like locals do in Hanoi cafés.

If you enjoy sweet coffee, egg coffee is an ideal choice thanks to its naturally rich and smooth flavor.

5. Why Is Egg Coffee Famous in Hanoi?

Egg coffee is closely tied to Hanoi’s history and its spirit of creativity. In the 1940s, when fresh milk was scarce, a local barista named Nguyen Van Giang created egg coffee as an alternative by using whipped egg yolk instead. What began as a practical solution during difficult times gradually became a signature drink of the city.

Over the decades, egg coffee has come to represent more than just a beverage. It reflects Hanoi’s ability to adapt, innovate, and preserve tradition at the same time. The drink is often enjoyed in small, quiet cafés, where people sit close together, talk softly, and take a break from the fast pace of modern life.

Today, egg coffee remains a must-try experience for visitors because it offers a taste of Hanoi’s past, culture, and everyday rhythm in a single cup.

Conclusion

This guide has explored egg coffee as one of Hanoi’s most iconic specialties—from what it is and how it’s made to the best places to try it and tips for enjoying it like a local. With its bold coffee base and creamy egg foam, egg coffee offers a unique taste that reflects both the history and everyday culture of Hanoi.

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