How to Add Vietnamese Coffee to Your Cafe Menu (A Practical Guide)

Why Add Vietnamese Coffee Now?

Vietnamese coffee is having a moment. Cà phê sữa đá, egg coffee, and coconut coffee regularly trend on TikTok and Instagram. The Vietnamese diaspora community is large and underserved in most cities. And the profit margins on Vietnamese coffee drinks are excellent — condensed milk and phin filters are cheap, and the drinks command $6–9 each at specialty cafes.

Start With Three Core Drinks

Don't try to offer everything at once. Start with these three:

1. Cà phê sữa đá — Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Your anchor drink.
2. Cà phê sữa nóng — The hot version of the above. Same ingredients, no ice.
3. Egg coffee — Your premium, high-margin, Instagram-worthy offering.

Once you're comfortable with these, add coconut coffee and cold brew variations.

Equipment Checklist

Item	Quantity	Approx. Cost
Phin filters (4–6oz)	6–10 units	$8–15 each
Condensed milk (Longevity brand)	Case of 24 cans	$40–60/case
Vietnamese coffee beans	5 kg starter	Contact for wholesale pricing
Coffee grinder (burr)	1 unit	$150–500
Small serving glasses (6–8oz)	12–24 units	$2–5 each
Tall glasses for iced drinks	12–24 units	$3–6 each

Staff Training (30-Minute Session)

Your staff need to know four things: how to brew a phin (4–6 minutes, medium-coarse grind, light press), how to make cà phê sữa đá (condensed milk first, then coffee, then ice), how to make egg coffee (whipped yolk foam on top of hot phin), and how to explain the difference to customers who ask.

We provide training materials and in-person sessions for all Hanoi Drip wholesale partners. Contact us to arrange a training visit.

Pricing Your Vietnamese Coffee Menu

Suggested retail pricing for Metro Vancouver (adjust for your market):

• Cà phê sữa đá: $6.50–7.50
• Cà phê sữa nóng: $5.50–6.50
• Egg coffee: $7.50–9.00
• Coconut coffee: $7.00–8.50

Food cost for Vietnamese coffee drinks is typically 15–22% — excellent margins compared to espresso drinks.

Ready to add Vietnamese coffee to your menu? Contact our wholesale team — we supply cafes across Metro Vancouver with beans, phin filters, and staff training support.