Jul - 12 - 2025
Hanoi is widely recognized as the birthplace of numerous cultural and culinary traditions, and among its most notable contributions is egg coffee. This beverage has become a symbol of the city's unique identity. First introduced in the 1940s, egg coffee has evolved beyond a local specialty to represent the essence of Hanoi’s cafe culture. Over the decades, this distinctive drink has been preserved in long-standing traditional cafes and reinterpreted in modern settings. In today’s fast-changing market, finding truly authentic egg coffee can be challenging.
This GTrip article offers a concise overview of egg coffee in Hanoi, from its origins and preparation to the top cafes renowned for their authentic quality. More than just a guide to where to drink egg coffee, this piece serves as an entry point into understanding how a single beverage can embody the cultural continuity of a city. If you're exploring Hanoi's F&B landscape, seeking a genuine local experience, or researching culinary traditions, this article will help you identify the right destinations.
Giang Cafe stands as the birthplace of Hanoi's legendary egg coffee, created in 1946 by Mr. Nguyen Van Giang. This creamy, decadent beverage combines robustly brewed Vietnamese coffee with a velvety topping of whisked egg yolks, condensed milk, and butter. The result is a dessert-like drink with a custard-like texture that floats atop strong coffee, offering a perfect balance of bitter and sweet flavors.
Walking into Giang Cafe feels like stepping back in time. Tucked in a narrow alley off Nguyen Huu Huan Street, this modest spot retains its rustic charm with wooden furniture, vintage decor, and lively chatter. The cafe spans multiple floors of an old colonial building, with low stools and tables that encourage visitors to slow down and savor their experience.
What makes Giang Cafe's egg coffee truly authentic is their unwavering commitment to the original recipe. The egg yolks are hand-whisked to perfection, creating a meringue-like foam that's both rich and light. Visitors often comment on how the temperature is precisely controlled, hot enough to cook the egg slightly for safety, but not so hot that it scrambles.
Giang Cafe is the birthplace of Hanoi’s iconic egg coffee, serving the original 1946 recipe in a nostalgic, rustic setting off Nguyen Huu Huan Street
Nestled in a small alley at 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Cafe Dinh is a notable cultural spot in Hanoi, known for its rich egg coffee and nostalgic charm. Originally founded in 1987 as "Poor Coffee" for struggling intellectuals, it became "Student Coffee" in 1992 before adopting the name "Cafe Dinh" in 2012. Its history reflects the social and cultural changes of Hanoi through the decades.
Occupying just over 20 square meters, the coffee shop features a simple interior with a wooden bar and rustic furniture, creating an intimate, old-Hanoi atmosphere. It was featured on National Geographic’s Street Food Around the World for its cultural and culinary significance. Despite its modest size, the coffee has made a lasting impression on both locals and international visitors.
Cafe Dinh’s egg coffee, based on a traditional family recipe passed down from the creator of egg coffee, Mr. Giang, balances strong robusta with smooth, velvety egg foam. The result is a creamy, subtly sweet drink with a lingering aroma, an iconic expression of Hanoi’s coffee heritage. This timeless recipe continues to attract both loyal regulars and first-time travelers looking for an authentic local experience.
Cafe Dinh is a beloved Hanoi cafe serving authentic egg coffee in a cozy, nostalgic space that reflects decades of cultural history
Hanoi Egg Coffee offers a quintessential Vietnamese coffee experience with their perfectly crafted ca phe trung. Their signature blend of robusta coffee, whipped egg yolks, condensed milk, and vanilla creates a rich, dessert-like drink that's both smooth and energising. Served in a small cup nestled in a bowl of warm water to maintain its temperature, this traditional delight embodies authentic Hanoi culture.
The venue provides a charming blend of old-world ambience and modern comfort, with both indoor seating and a rooftop area offering picturesque views of Hoan Kiem. What sets this establishment apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and tradition. Each cup is meticulously prepared using techniques passed down through generations.
The establishment takes pride in sourcing beans from Vietnam's highland regions, particularly from Da Lat and Son La Provinces . It ensures authenticity and supports local agriculture. Their expert baristas, many having worked there for decades, maintain consistent quality that keeps both locals and tourists returning for more.
Hanoi Egg Coffee delivers a classic ca phe trung experience with rich, traditional flavors, rooftop views, and a strong focus on quality and heritage
Cafe Pho Co offers one of the most authentic egg coffee experiences in the city. This hidden gem requires visitors to walk through a silk shop and up several flights of narrow stairs, rewarding their journey with a breathtaking view of Hoan Kiem Lake. Their egg coffee features a decadently thick, custard-like layer of whipped egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk floating atop strong Vietnamese coffee.
The cafe's secluded courtyard setting provides a peaceful escape from Hanoi's bustling streets. Housed in a traditional Vietnamese building with wooden furniture and vintage decor, Cafe Pho Co creates an atmosphere that transports visitors to old Hanoi. The multi-level terrace offers different vantage points, with the top floor providing the most coveted lake views.
Beyond the signature egg coffee, tourists can explore other Vietnamese coffee variations like coconut coffee or yoghurt coffee. The cafe also serves light snacks that pair perfectly with their beverages, including banh mi sandwiches and traditional Vietnamese sweets.
Cafe Pho Co offers authentic egg coffee with stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake, served in a hidden, historic space that captures the essence of old Hanoi
Read more: Top 10 Places for the Best Banh Mi in Hanoi You Must Try
The Note Coffee is a charming cafe known for its delightful egg coffee, but for its unique concept, every surface is covered with colorful post-its from visitors worldwide. Their egg coffee stands out with a perfectly balanced sweetness and a silky texture that complements the robust Vietnamese coffee beneath. Less traditional than older spots, The Note offers a contemporary twist on this beloved Hanoi speciality, served in a vibrant atmosphere where you can leave your message for future travelers.
The Note Coffee offers a refreshing alternative to the historic egg coffee establishments while still honoring the traditional recipe. The cafe's location near Hoan Kiem Lake makes it easily accessible for tourists exploring Hanoi's Old Quarter. The multi-story building provides varied seating options, including a rooftop area with pleasant views of the bustling streets below.
Unlike more traditional venues, The Note Coffee attracts a younger crowd, with many digital nomads taking advantage of the reliable wifi and comfortable seating. The cafe's friendly staff are known for their excellent English skills and willingness to explain the egg coffee preparation process to curious visitors.
The Note Coffee offers a modern take on Hanoi’s egg coffee, served in a colorful space filled with visitor notes and views near Hoan Kiem Lake
Egg coffee & more Hanoi offers a charming retreat on Bat Su Street, where the aromatic Vietnamese egg coffee tradition reaches new heights. This quaint establishment has perfected the delicate balance between silky egg cream and robust Vietnamese coffee, creating a dessert-like beverage that captivates both locals and visitors. The cafe's intimate setting, with traditional wooden furniture and soft lighting, provides the perfect atmosphere to savor this Hanoi delicacy.
What sets Egg coffee & more Hanoi apart is its commitment to authenticity while offering creative variations of the classic recipe. Their egg coffee follows traditional preparation methods using freshly whipped egg yolks blended with condensed milk and carefully dripped coffee. Each cup is served in a hot water bath to maintain the perfect temperature throughout your tasting experience.
The cafe also provides an excellent introduction to Vietnamese coffee culture with friendly staff who happily explain the brewing process and ingredients to curious visitors. While egg coffee remains their star attraction, their menu extends to other Vietnamese beverages, including coconut coffee and yoghurt coffee that showcase local flavors.
For those seeking the complete experience, pair your egg coffee with their homemade pastries, the cinnamon cookies particularly complement the rich, creamy coffee. Centrally located in Hoan Kiem, the coffee shop is a convenient stop in the Old Quarter, offering a quick break from Hanoi’s busy streets.
Egg Coffee & More Hanoi offers a cozy Old Quarter escape with expertly crafted egg coffee, traditional charm, and a menu celebrating Vietnamese coffee culture
Hanoi egg coffee stands out for its balanced blend of bold robusta bitterness and the creamy sweetness of whipped egg yolks, condensed milk, and sugar. This egg foam layer creates a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture and carries a gentle aroma, sometimes accented with subtle hints of vanilla, enhancing the drink’s appeal.
The special charm of egg coffee lies in the delicate harmony of its components: pure black coffee with its distinctive bitterness and aroma, combined with a creamy, rich egg mousse that is never eggy or overpowering, resulting in a complex and unforgettable taste experience. Some coffee shops add a touch of cocoa powder or cinnamon to elevate the flavor, making the egg coffee even more enticing and diverse.
More than just a beverage, egg coffee is a cultural culinary symbol of Hanoi, reflecting the creativity and sophistication of Vietnamese coffee craftsmanship. When enjoyed, the smooth egg cream melts into the hot coffee, delivering a warm and comforting sensation, perfect for savoring on the cool, crisp days of the capital city.
Hanoi egg coffee is a beloved local specialty, known for its rich blend of bold coffee and creamy egg foam, a true symbol of the city’s coffee culture
Savoring an authentic egg coffee in Hanoi offers a taste of the city's vibrant culture, blending rich, creamy textures with the warmth of a local experience. This article highlights where you can find these genuine flavors and forms a bridge to Hanoi’s soul through its unique culinary heritage. You've embarked on a flavorful journey that goes beyond just tasting coffee, it’s about immersing yourself in tradition and story-chasing adventures across this bustling city. With GTrip, let this exploration guide your future travels and discover hidden gems that enrich every sip and step. As you plan your next adventure or reflect on past journeys, remember that there's always more to uncover in Hanoi's streets, waiting for your curiosity to transform it into unforgettable memories.