Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng): The Hanoi Specialty Explained
Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng): The Hanoi Specialty Explained
By Linh Nguyen, Head Barista & Coffee Educator at Hanoi Drip | Last Updated: July 2026
Egg coffee, or Cà Phê Trứng, is a traditional Vietnamese specialty from Hanoi made by whisking egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk into a thick, custard-like foam that floats over bold robusta coffee. The result is a drink that tastes more like a liquid dessert than a morning cup — rich, sweet, and deeply satisfying. If you've been curious about this Hanoi classic, here's everything you need to know.
One thing customers ask us every day at Hanoi Drip is whether egg coffee actually tastes like eggs. The short answer is no. The vigorous whisking transforms the yolk into something closer to a light meringue or a crème brûlée topping. Paired with the intense, chocolatey depth of Vietnamese robusta coffee brewed through a phin filter, it's one of the most unique coffee experiences you can have in Vancouver.
The Origins of Cà Phê Trứng
The story of egg coffee dates back to the 1940s in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. During the First Indochina War, fresh milk was scarce and difficult to source. A resourceful bartender named Nguyen Van Giang, working at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, began whisking egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk as a substitute for the cream he could no longer obtain.
The creation was an immediate hit with hotel guests, and Nguyen Van Giang eventually opened his own café — Café Giang — which still operates today on Hang Gai Street in Hanoi's Old Quarter. What began as a practical wartime solution has become one of Vietnam's most celebrated coffee traditions, recognized internationally as a defining expression of Hanoi's café culture.
At Hanoi Drip, we brew our egg coffee using the same foundational approach: strong robusta coffee from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, brewed through a traditional phin filter at 93°C, topped with a hand-whisked egg yolk and condensed milk foam. We use a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio for the base to ensure the coffee is strong enough to hold its own against the sweetness of the foam.
How Does Egg Coffee Taste?
The best way to describe Cà Phê Trứng is to compare it to a liquid tiramisu. The egg foam on top is sweet, incredibly creamy, and has a rich custard-like flavor from the condensed milk. It carries no savory or "eggy" taste whatsoever.
Beneath the sweet foam lies the intense, chocolatey, and slightly bitter robusta coffee brewed through a traditional phin filter. When you take a sip, the bitterness of the coffee cuts cleanly through the richness of the egg foam, creating a perfectly balanced and indulgent experience. The biggest difference between egg coffee and a regular latte is that the sweetness and creaminess come entirely from the egg foam — there is no milk in the coffee itself.
| Feature | Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) | Regular Latte |
|---|---|---|
| Base coffee | Strong Vietnamese robusta (phin-brewed) | Espresso (arabica) |
| Creamy element | Whisked egg yolk + condensed milk foam | Steamed milk |
| Sweetness | High (from condensed milk) | Low to medium |
| Texture | Thick, custard-like foam on top | Silky, integrated |
| Flavor profile | Dessert-like, tiramisu notes | Milky, balanced |
Hot vs. Iced Egg Coffee
Traditionally, egg coffee is served hot. In Hanoi, it's often presented in a small cup resting in a bowl of warm water to keep the drink at the right temperature while you enjoy it slowly. The heat helps maintain the velvety texture of the egg foam and brings out the full aroma of the robusta coffee.
However, iced egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng Đá) has become incredibly popular, especially during Vancouver's warmer summer months. The iced version is refreshing and tastes even more like a coffee-flavored dessert or a rich milkshake. Most people who try it for the first time are surprised at how approachable and delicious it is.
How to Drink Egg Coffee Like a Local
Drinking egg coffee is an experience in itself. Most people who are new to it aren't sure whether to stir it or drink it in layers. Here's how to enjoy it the way they do in Hanoi:
- Admire the layers first. Take a moment to appreciate the contrast between the dark coffee at the bottom and the golden foam on top. It's as much a visual experience as a taste one.
- Taste the foam on its own. Use a small spoon to taste the egg foam first. This lets you appreciate the custard-like sweetness before it mixes with the coffee.
- Stir gently. Mix the foam into the coffee to blend the sweetness of the egg with the bitterness of the robusta. This creates a harmonious, dessert-like drink.
- Sip slowly. Egg coffee is meant to be savored. It's not a grab-and-go drink — it's a sit-down experience best enjoyed with good company.
Check out our full menu to see all the Vietnamese coffee options we offer alongside Cà Phê Trứng.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Coffee
Is egg coffee safe to drink?
Yes, egg coffee is safe for most people. The hot coffee partially cooks the egg yolk foam, and the high sugar content from the condensed milk acts as a preservative. At Hanoi Drip, we use fresh eggs and prepare the foam to order. If you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system, we recommend asking for our version made with pasteurized eggs.
Does egg coffee taste like raw eggs?
Not at all. The vigorous whisking with sweetened condensed milk transforms the egg yolk into a sweet, creamy, custard-like foam. There is no savory or eggy taste. Most people describe it as tasting like tiramisu, crème brûlée, or a rich coffee dessert. The egg is simply a vehicle for creating an incredibly smooth and sweet foam.
Can I make egg coffee at home?
Yes, you can make it at home with just three ingredients: egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and strong Vietnamese robusta coffee. Whisk the yolks and condensed milk vigorously until the mixture triples in volume and becomes pale and fluffy, then pour it over freshly brewed phin coffee. A hand mixer or stand mixer makes the process much easier. We sell our Vietnamese coffee beans and phin filters at all three Hanoi Drip locations.
Is egg coffee served hot or cold?
Both. The traditional Hanoi style is served hot, often in a cup resting in warm water to keep the temperature consistent. The iced version (Cà Phê Trứng Đá) is also very popular and especially refreshing in summer. At Hanoi Drip in Vancouver, we offer both versions — just let us know your preference when you order.
What kind of coffee is used for egg coffee?
Traditional Vietnamese egg coffee uses robusta coffee beans, which are known for their strong, bold, and slightly bitter flavor. The intensity of robusta is essential — it needs to be powerful enough to balance the sweetness of the egg foam. Arabica coffee is generally too mild and would be overwhelmed by the foam.
Where can I try egg coffee in Vancouver?
Hanoi Drip Coffee serves authentic Cà Phê Trứng at all three of our Vancouver-area locations: Richmond (12560 Bridgeport Rd #140), Rupert Street in East Vancouver (3779 Rupert St), and Mount Pleasant (691 E Broadway). We brew our egg coffee using traditional Vietnamese robusta and prepare the egg foam fresh for each order.
How many calories are in egg coffee?
A traditional serving of egg coffee contains approximately 150–200 calories, primarily from the egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk. It's a richer drink than a regular black coffee, but it's also smaller in volume — typically served in a 150–180ml cup. Think of it as a dessert coffee rather than a large daily drink.
Come Try Cà Phê Trứng at Hanoi Drip
Egg coffee is one of those drinks you have to try to truly understand. No description fully captures the experience of that first sip — the sweet, airy foam giving way to the bold, chocolatey coffee beneath. At Hanoi Drip, we've been sharing this Hanoi tradition with Vancouver since we opened, and it remains one of our most-loved menu items.
Visit any of our three locations and ask for a Cà Phê Trứng. Our team will be happy to walk you through the experience and answer any questions about how it's made.
Hanoi Drip Coffee — All Three Vancouver Locations
- Richmond: 12560 Bridgeport Rd #140, Richmond, BC V6V 2N5 | Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat–Sun 9:30am–5pm | (604) 270-0876 | View on Google Maps
- Rupert Street (East Vancouver): 3779 Rupert St, Vancouver, BC V5R 5H1 | Mon–Sun 8:30am–7pm | (604) 336-7747 | View on Google Maps
- Mount Pleasant: 691 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1X4 | Mon–Sun 9am–7pm | (604) 559-9566 | View on Google Maps
Written by
Hanoi Drip Coffee
Vancouver's Vietnamese Coffee Specialists
Hanoi Drip is Vancouver's home for authentic Vietnamese phin drip coffee. Our team sources single-origin Robusta and Arabica from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, brews the traditional way, and shares everything we know about Vietnamese coffee culture — from egg coffee recipes to phin brew guides.
Experience It In Person
Visit Hanoi Drip in Vancouver
Three locations in Richmond, Renfrew-Collingwood, and Mount Pleasant. Every drink brewed through the traditional phin filter.