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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Sweetened condensed milk
- 4 oz coconut cream
- 12 oz coffee strong brew
Instructions
In a small container mix together the condensed milk, and the coconut cream.
Slowly stir into the coffee.
By the way, if you want to drink it cold, just add ice.
Albert Bevia
Hanoi seems like a really cool place, love how they name their streets! this coconut coffee sounds delicious and easy to make, thank you for the recipe 🙂
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.
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
This sounds amazing!!! I just need to get me some coconut cream and I am all set 🙂
Analida
Thanks Cathleen! Yes, get some coconut cream. I think you will like this coffee as much as I do! 🙂
Barney
Wow! What an intelligent pierce. I was patiently waiting for the time you will unveil the story behind the Vietnamese coconut coffee discovery.
Analida
Thanks Barney. My daughter helped me out with the research on this one. I think I need to make some coconut coffee soon. 🙂
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 🙂
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices
I love everything in this coffee, the condensed milk, coconut cream, AND strong brew. Perfect!
Heather
Coconut coffee is always my go to flavor when I get one at a coffee shop. I can’t wait to try making this at home!
Analida
It is so easy to make and it add some calories too!
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!
Analida
We spent 3 weeks in Hanoi and it was a life changing experience and the coffee culture there is amazing!
Kelly Anthony
I love coffee but I’ve never had it this way! A must-try recipe for me!
Analida
Visit Hanoi and it will change your life! This is a truly amazing place!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Big fan of coffee AND coconut so this is definitely something I’d love to try! Bet it’s delicious 🙂
Analida
The coffee culture in Vietnam is something to experience once in your lifetime!
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.
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.
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
I love all things coffee and this looks like a good way to try something a little different. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
I love Vietnamese coffee, but don’t know that I’ve ever had it with coconut cream added. It sounds absolutely delicious – the perfect way to warm up on a cold day like today.
Analida
There are some variations in Vietnamese coffees. If you have some time to whip an egg yolk the egg coffee is worth the effort too:
https://ethnicspoon.com/vietnamese-egg-coffee-ca-phe-trung/
Leslie Haasch
You know… in all the time I’ve spent in Vietnamese restaurants and with my Vietnamese friends, I’ve never had a coconut coffee! Gonna have to give this a try.
Analida
I adds a few calories to your coffee but it is so worth it.
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!
Holly
I could drink this every day for forever!! Seriously, It sounds amazing! And I love how simple it is to make.
Anna Hettick
This drink sounds absolutely delicious!! I’ve never added sweetened condensed milk to my coffee but I just might have to try it!
Noel Lizotte
We love coffee! We drink so much of it … we should own a plantation.
Any way, adding this recipe to our list of coffee treats to try!
Amy
Your stories made me want to visit Hanoi (I’m from Ho Chi Minh City) to experience the coconut coffee. Can’t wait to try!!
Kat
Your daughter lives in the very touristy areas of Hanoi! Coconut coffee is good most places 🙂
Analida
She lived in a variety of places and most were in locations where mostly locals live and she shared a house with a Vietnamese couple for a while. Here is the recipe for Vietnamese coconut coffee: https://ethnicspoon.com/vietnamese-coconut-coffee/ Thanks!
Robyn
Loved Hanoi, would go back in a heartbeat. Coconut coffee was great but my favorite is the egg coffee.Note cafe was fun climbing the stairs and my sister and I left our notes a well. We were their on the weekend to experience kids weekend was lovely.