Another Vietnamese coffee recipe: Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Yes, it is sweet, indeed. The name is ca phe sua da. Basically it's iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. There certainly are a lot of coffee recipes in Vietnam!
Here is something you must know...
There are usually three or more coffee shops on every block in Hanoi. Table and chairs range from child-sized plastic stools to bamboo to hightop fancy tables. Coffee does not age discriminate in Vietnam. Students go to trendy, bustling shops. Office workers to lounge style places, and the older generation prefers the long-lived local establishments.
No matter the style of shop, or time of day, you can find Hanoians sipping this steadfast drink: ca phe sua da. This lovely libation is served in a short, clear glass with an oversized ice cube, Vietnamese espresso floats on top of a layer of sweetened condensed milk. Heaven in a glass!
You'll get a spoon to stir the sweet condensed milk into the strong coffee. The combination of the coffee and the sweetened condensed milk creates a perfect flavor balance. For a Vietnamese coffee newbie, it's best to sip slowly and let the ice melt a bit. The taste won't be overwhelmingly sweet, but rather have light caramel notes.
How to make Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Depending on the shop, your coffee will be presented differently. At a traditional shop, your coffee will arrive with the phin, the Vietnamese version of a French press
. This is a metal filter, the size of an espresso cup. The bottom has perforations and inside is a filter/press. Place coffee at the bottom of the metal cup. Drop in the press, and pour your hot water. Gravity takes care of the rest.. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. If the place you are at serves it in a clear glass, you can see your coffee brewing as the sides of the cup bead with steam. There is certainly more pause in this method of enjoying coffee.
If you don't own a phin, not to worry. A French Press will do just fine.
Vietnamese Coffee Culture
You can find people of all ages sipping their sua da and nibbling on sunflower seeds, without a care in the world. A short stroll down any given street and you'll see piles of sunflower shells scattered about under tables, the aftermath of an afternoon well spent.
I am sure by now you've gathered that coffee is an integral part of Hanoi's way of life. The Vietnamese enjoy coffee; by this I mean, they really enjoy it. They sit down with friends, sip, and nibble on sunflower seeds, share their time. Having a cup of coffee with friends is a very social affair. It's an aspect of their culture that I find truly charming. Now I understand the piles of sunflower seed shell and the carefree looks on the faces of coffee shop patrons.
Coffee Culture in Hanoi
Hanoi's coffee culture, however, has not always had a nice aspect to it. It all began with the French colonists in Indochina. They started the first coffee plantations in the late 19th century, and forced local peasants into labor. Hanoi's initial coffee shops were frequented only by the wealthy foreign residents. Slowly though, the drink became popular among all of the city's residents.
This coffee is indeed strong. My daughter has often joked that the coffee is strong enough to power her moped. After my first taste I believed her. I remember my first cup at breakfast at the hotel. Wow! One sip and I was wide awake. As a person who usually drinks 2 cups in the morning, I couldn't imagine drinking more than one cup of this iced coffee.
This recipe will yield two servings. To brew your espresso, if you have an espresso maker, feel free to use it. You can also use a French press, or even the regular drip coffee maker. Now if you have a Vietnamese phin
, by all means.
If you want to try more Vietnamese dishes here are some to checkout or bookmark for later.
Bo Sot Vang is a Vietnamese beef stew that will blow your beef stew out of the water.
Chả Giò are Vietnamese Spring Rolls made with mushrooms, noodles, tofu and herbs. Dunk them in a tangy sauce. My version is vegetarian.
Bun cha: Vietnamese pork meatballs are served with a delicious golden broth, a variety of fresh herbs, greens, and rice noodles.
Vietnamese coconut braised pork (Thit Kho Tau) is slow cooked, tender, salty and sweet.
You have to finish off your meal with a traditional Vietnamese Egg Coffee or ca phe trung (cà phê trứng) a Hanoi espresso with a sweet meringue like topping. There is also Vietnamese coconut coffee as another sweet coffee drink to enjoy after a meal.
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Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 8 oz espresso brewed
- 8 ice cubes
Instructions
- Place 1 Tbsp of sweetened condensed milk in each glass.
- Add 2-4 ice cubes to each glass.
- Pour in 4 oz of espresso.
- Stir well to combine thoroughly.
Nutrition
Kimberly
Wow!!! Now I need to make that immediately!
Analida
I think you would like it Kimberly. It's pretty refreshing.
Pally
With another Vietnamese coffee recipe, I guess its now obvious that Vietnam is a place to visit and also partake in one of the coffee recipe.
Analida
I Love Vietnamese coffee, it is so delicious and rich. Yes, Vietnam is a place to visit; we can't wait to go back. Thanks for the 5 star rating. you are so kind. 🙂
Gloria
Oh man....we are such coffee fanatics. This looks amazing. I have heard about Vietnamese coffee, but have never tried it. Now I really need too.
Analida
Hi Gloria, try it. It is really good, not to mention that it has quite a kick! 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
I have to try this Vietnamese iced coffee! It looks so refreshing and delicious! It's the perfect season for it now that it's spring! I can't wait to try it!
Analida
Elaine, I think you need to try it out.
Sharon
You have convinced me that I have to try Vietnamese coffee as soon as possible. This cup of coffee looks so incredible and sweet, just like I love it.
Analida
Sharon, I think you need to try it. I also think you will love it.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
I have never used condensed milk in my coffee. I've actually only used it to make keylime pie! haha I love the idea to use it here though. It sounds soooo creamy!
Analida
It is indeed creamy Dominique. I have to be honest, before this recipe I had only used condensed milk in baking. This coffee is dreamy and creamy 🙂
Kelli Kerkman
This looks ah-mazing! I love iced coffee in the summer, I think this will be a good way to mix up my typical cold brew!
Analida
Kelli, this drink is for you! Yes, this is a perfect way to drink iced coffee.Let me know how you like it. 🙂
Kate
What a delicious and delightful drink! I can't wait to try it. Great timing too as the warmer weather arrives! 🙂
Analida
Hi Kate! Try this coffee soon. Yes, with the warmer weather upon us, this is a perfect drink. 🙂
Amanda Mason
I loved your article and the insight you provide! I'm SUCH a big coffee lover. I've never made my own coffee drink at home but now I'm tempted to! Your pictures look great, too!! Thanks for posting!!
Analida
Thanks so much for your compliments, and the 5 star rating. If you are a coffee lover, you will love this drink. My husband is the photographer in the house. 🙂
Veena Azmanov
I am not a coffee drinker but I do love Vietnamese coffee. I think its the condensed milk in there. I use to have it every time we went to Bali on vacation. They had it as one of the drinks on the menu. Sweet cold and topped with ice cream. Perfect on a hot summer day.
Analida
Veena, the condensed milk is awesome. I've never been to Bali. My daughter spent three weeks in Bali last summer and loved it. Yummy, ice cream!!! I would love to try it that way.
Natalie
What a lovely story and photos. I'm a real coffee lover but honestly I never tried vietnamese version. Now I just must. And I can't wait.
Analida
Hi Natalie, thanks for commenting. If you love coffee, you will love this Vietnamese iced coffee. I think you must try it! 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago
I love iced coffee so the unique flavor combo in this one sounds amazing!
Analida
Kathryn, if you are a coffee lover, then you would love this recipe.
Michelle Blackwood
Wow this recipe is similar to how we make coffee in Jamaica, we also sweeten with condensed milk
Analida
Michelle, that is really cool. Interesting also since they are such different parts of the world.
Kelly
I have tried Vietnamese iced coffee before and this one is so tempting I feel an ultimate urge of having it. Will definitely try this recipe at home.
Analida
Hi Kelly, hope you get to try it soon. 🙂