Egg coffee, a unique specialty of Hanoi, has enchanted countless visitors, including many international celebrities. This creamy and aromatic beverage blends whipped egg yolk with sweetened condensed milk and robust Vietnamese coffee, creating a rich, custard-like layer. Served hot or cold, it offers a one-of-a-kind taste that has become a must-try for travelers to Vietnam.

How did egg coffee in Hanoi come about?

It was created in the 1940s by a bartender named Giảng at Giang Café. The story goes that during a period of milk shortages in Hanoi, Giảng experimented with using egg yolks to create a creamy texture for coffee. He blended whipped egg yolks with condensed milk and sugar, then poured the mixture over hot coffee, creating a rich, velvety drink. Over time, it became a beloved Hanoi specialty, drawing both locals and tourists alike.

Egg coffee, a unique specialty of Hanoi

Apple CEO Tim Cook, Binance CEO, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and singer John Legend have all chosen to enjoy egg coffee, Hanoi’s century-old specialty drink, during their visits to the city.

Apple CEO Tim Cook enjoyed it and snacked on sunflower seeds with Vietnamese singer Mỹ Linh and her daughter Mỹ Anh on the morning of April 15. Mỹ Linh revealed that the American billionaire “praised the egg coffee enthusiastically after just a few sips.”

Following the meeting, Tim Cook posted his first tweet upon arriving in Vietnam, sharing a photo of himself with the two singers:
“Xin chào, Việt Nam! Thank you to the talented artists Mỹ Linh and Mỹ Anh for the warm welcome. I love egg coffee.”
(Photo: Tim Cook/X)

The coffee Tim Cook enjoyed was crafted by Phan Lê, the manager of a restaurant in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

It is a drink deeply tied to Hanoi’s culinary heritage, dating back nearly 100 years to the 1940s. It’s made by blending egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar, and butter into a smooth, frothy mixture, then served with hot coffee. A small spoon is provided for tasting the creamy foam before sipping the coffee.

Many establishments in Hanoi serve egg coffee. According to Lê, while their café may not be the city’s most famous for this specialty, it offers its own unique charm.

Tim Cook isn’t the first billionaire to fall in love with this iconic Hanoi beverage. In June 2023, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (Triệu Trường Bằng), with a net worth of $33 billion, visited Giang Café to enjoy this coffee.

Giang Café is famous as the birthplace of this coffee. With a history spanning over 70 years, it’s now managed by the third generation of the founding family. The café sells around 1,500 cups daily, with 70% of its patrons being tourists—half international and half domestic.

In late May 2022, Miss Indonesia Pricilia Carla Yules also visited the café to try its renowned egg coffee.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (wearing a gray suit, sitting in the center) enjoyed egg coffee at a restaurant located in a historic villa in Hàng Bún, alongside Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and other officials in September 2023. Mr. Blinken also chose this coffee.

In April, the world-renowned Michelin Guide described this coffee as a “Hanoi coffee masterpiece” and ranked it among the top six coffee experiences in Vietnam.
(Photo: CTV)

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (wearing a gray suit, sitting in the center) enjoyed this coffee at a restaurant located in a historic villa in Hàng Bún, alongside Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and other officials in September 2023. Mr. Blinken also chose this coffee.

In April, the world-renowned Michelin Guide described this coffee as a “Hanoi coffee masterpiece” and ranked it among the top six coffee experiences in Vietnam.
(Photo: CTV)

In February 2019, 3,000 cups of Hanoi’s signature egg coffee were brought to the International Press Center during the U.S.-North Korea summit, served by Giang Café. The photo shows a cup of egg coffee at the café, kept warm by a bowl of hot water.

This coffee has become a familiar drink for international visitors. Over the past decade, this unique beverage has frequently been praised and mentioned in international media when discussing Hanoi. In Vietnam, it has also become a popular drink among young people.

>>> TOP 5 special things about Vietnamese coffee culture

In 2014, Vietnam’s egg coffee topped Buzzfeed’s list of must-try coffee drinks for travelers. Elisabeth Rosen, a British journalist for Lonely Planet, also recommended this drink to international tourists visiting Vietnam.

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