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Vietnamese Coconut Coffee

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In the baking Hanoi summer heat, there is a tasty treat to refresh and give you a nice kick of energy. What is it?  Vietnamese coconut coffee! Yes, you read right. Let me tell you all about it.

a glass cup of coffee being poured with snacks in the background
In 2016, during our family’s visit to Hanoi to visit our daughter who lives there, we were introduced to this tasty treat. Our daughter took us to “walking street” Okay, let me explain. Streets in Hanoi are called by the locals by whatever item the street is famous for selling. Also, sometimes by what activities take place on that street. For example, there is “shoe street”, “chicken street”, “kitchen street”, well you get the picture. Yes, there is also “glasses street.”

The fountain near Hanoi old quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake also know as walking street. | ethnicspoon.com

Walking street, huh?

Well, walking street is named so because on weekends, the whole street and the loop around Hoam Kiem Lake becomes pedestrian only. Kids ride bikes, skateboards, and locals and tourists alike walk around eating snacks, buy handicrafts, and play games. My son Adam loved the area around the lake too!  It’s so much fun!

Nearby there is a fountain where people congregate. It’s a meeting point of sorts. All of a sudden my daughter starts going on about how we can get cheap glasses. Living in the US where prescription glasses are not cheap, I was intrigued. She pointed to the ones she was wearing and declared “these were $30.00 and it includes the vision test.” What? Now my ears perked up.

The “glasses shop” she took us to was the equivalent of a booth. There the owner “read” my current prescription with a machine, and quickly nodded. “One hour” he said, and held up one finger. Well, we had time to kill, and that is where Vietnamese coconut coffee comes into the scene.

a glass mug of coffee being poured with a spoon on the left

Onto a coffee break

Next to the glasses store there was an adorable coffee shop: The Note Coffee. By the way the real name for glasses street is Luong Van Can Street. Every inch of wall and ceiling space in this lovely establishment is covered in , inspiring, and uplifting messages written on colorful post its notes.Sayings like “Have a beautiful day” or “Do something that makes you happy” come posted to your coffee cup. Such a charming idea!

My daughter insisted that I get the Vietnamese coconut coffee. At first I was a bit skeptical since I am not much of a flavored coffee person. But she urged. “Let’s order one coconut coffee and one black. If you don’t like it, I’ll trade you, no questions.”

coconut milk being poured into a coffee

One sip, and I was in coconut heaven. The creamy, rich coconut perfectly complimented the acidity of the coffee making it a drinkable, hot dessert to be savored to the last drop. And I did savor it, grudgingly sharing sips with my sisters and husband. They loved it too. Eventually I had to tell them to get their own.

In the summer Vietnamese coconut coffee is good iced according to my daughter. In the winter which is when we visited we drank it warm.  I know coconut oil is also popular to put into coffee but you have to try coconut cream for a really rich flavor.

two coconut coffees on a table with a spoon on the left

Just in case you are ever in Hanoi, my daughter claims that the best coconut coffees are served in the following cafes:

The Note Coffee: 64 Luong Van Can

Tranquil: 5 Nguyen Quang Bich, Hoan Kiem

SpaceBar: Villa 15 Alley 76,to Ngoc Van, Tay Ho District

Now, if you want to try more Vietnamese recipes here are some ideas to inspire you.:

Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo sot vang) is a comforting dish perfect for cold weather. It is a variation on The classic European beef stew.

You could also try a Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad (Pho Tron). This dish is a summer favorite in Vietnam. Fresh greens, noodles, and beef. In a way, think of it as the Vietnamese version of a steak salad.

Bun cha has to be one of my favorite Vietnamese foods.  Grilled pork meatballs served with greens, and a tasty dipping broth made with lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and rice vinegar.

 

If you like flavored coffee with a tropic twist you have the try Vietnamese coconut coffee. Vietnamese coconut coffee is a super simple coffee drink to make at home and it is the authentic version made in Hanoi at popular coffee shops. Drizzle in a combination of sweetened condensed milk and coconut cream on top of a strong brewed coffee. | ethnicspoon.com
5 from 11 votes
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Vietnamese Coconut Coffee

Vietnamese coconut coffee is made with robust Vietnamese coffee and coconut milk. It is easy to make and delicious. Drink it hot or cold depending on the season.

Course Beverage
Cuisine Vietnamese
Keyword coconut milk, coffee, dairy, drinks, espresso, latte
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: Change to adjust-> 2 servings
Calories 279 kcal
Author Analida Braeger

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a small container mix together the condensed milk, and the coconut cream. 

  2. Slowly stir into the coffee.

  3. By the way, if you want to drink it cold, just add ice.

Nutrition Facts
Vietnamese Coconut Coffee
Amount Per Serving
Calories 279 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 18g113%
Cholesterol 9mg3%
Sodium 41mg2%
Potassium 372mg11%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 75IU2%
Vitamin C 2.3mg3%
Calcium 87mg9%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Analida

      You are welcome Albert. Yes, Hanoi is fascinating. My daughter corrected me by saying that it is the expats, and SOME locals that call the streets this. She said it is done to create a point of reference.

      Reply

  3. Barney

    Wow! What an intelligent pierce. I was patiently waiting for the time you will unveil the story behind the Vietnamese coconut coffee discovery.

    Reply

  4. Aleta

    Oh yum I can practically taste the rich coconut flavour of this recipe. I have only been drinking my coffee black for several weeks now and really enjoy it, however now I really want to give this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  7. Anna

    I have visited Vietnam couple of years ago, and fell in love with their coffee! I even bought myself a little coffee set which I’m still using almost every day back at home! Thank you for sharing this recipe, will be making it for sure!

    Reply

  10. Marisa Franca

    I am absolutely intrigued!! Glasses for $30 and coconut coffee. I love an adventure and I’d be gung ho to try both. In face first chance I get I’ll be making the coffee — too bad I can’t get the cheap glasses.

    Reply

    • Analida

      Hanoi is a city of 6 million people and we were never once told there was a “bad neighborhood” anywhere (unlike the USA) it is all very nice, peaceful and the coffee shops are an experience of their own.

      Reply

  14. Amanda Mason

    What an amazing post! I love this story with you and your daughter and those pres glasses costs…WOW! This coffee looks amazing! And I love your pictures! It captures the allure of this coffee perfectly!

    Reply

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