How to Brew Vietnamese Phin Coffee at Home (Step-by-Step)

To brew Vietnamese phin coffee at home, place 14–16 g of medium-fine coffee in a metal phin, bloom it with a small pour of hot water for 30–45 seconds, then fill the brewer and let it drip for about 4–6 minutes. Drink the concentrated coffee black, or stir it with sweetened condensed milk and pour it over ice. The method is simple, slow, and wonderfully adaptable.

By Linh Nguyen, Head Barista & Coffee Educator at Hanoi Drip | Last Updated: August 2026

What is Vietnamese phin coffee?

A phin is a small metal gravity brewer that rests on a glass or cup. Its plate, chamber, press disk, and lid make concentrated drip coffee without a paper filter. It is an everyday Vietnamese coffee tool with a bold, unhurried result.^[1]

At Hanoi Drip, we like the phin because it gives the coffee time to open up. No exact recipe is required; consistent grounds, hot water, and a patient drip matter most.

Set up to brew Vietnamese phin coffee at home

You need a phin, a heat-safe glass or mug, ground coffee, and hot water. A scale and narrow-spout kettle are useful but optional. For an iced cup, add sweetened condensed milk to the glass before brewing and keep ice nearby.

Starting point	Why it helps
14–16 g coffee	Creates a strong but manageable single serving.
120–150 ml water at 93–96°C	Helps the coffee extract evenly without a harsh taste.
Medium-fine grind	Slows the flow more than a coarse grind, without choking the phin.
4–6 minute total drip	Provides a useful target for the first brew.

Our Hanoi Drip baseline is 15 g of coffee with 130 ml of water at about 94°C, usually near a five-minute drip. Adjust for your phin, coffee freshness, and grind. Another phin guide similarly starts with 14 g, a short bloom, and a final drip around five minutes.^[2]

How to brew Vietnamese phin coffee at home, step by step

1. Warm the cup and assemble the phin

Set the phin plate and chamber over your glass. Add condensed milk first if you are using it. Rinsing the empty phin and glass with hot water is optional.

2. Add coffee and level it gently

Add 14–16 g of coffee and give the phin a light shake to level the bed. Place the press disk on top without forcing it down; too much pressure can slow the drip and bring out bitterness.

3. Bloom for 30–45 seconds

Pour 20–30 ml of hot water to wet the grounds. Cover and wait. This brief bloom prepares the coffee bed for an even flow.

4. Fill, cover, and let it drip

Pour in the remaining water until the chamber is nearly full. Cover and let the phin drip gradually. When it stops, remove the phin and set it on its upside-down lid to catch the last drops.

Fine-tune your Vietnamese phin coffee at home

The biggest difference is usually grind and pressure. If the phin finishes in under three minutes, grind slightly finer. If it barely drips after six minutes, grind a touch coarser or loosen the press. Change one thing at a time.

• Too bitter or dry: Try a slightly coarser grind, cooler water, or less coffee.
• Too thin: Use a slightly finer grind, a little more coffee, or less water.
• Too slow: Check that the press disk is not packed down hard.
• Too fast: Level the grounds and make the grind a little finer.

Many people expect a dark roast, but a phin can also suit a satisfying medium roast. At Hanoi Drip, taste the coffee black first, then add condensed milk, milk, or ice as you like.

Serve it hot, iced, or with condensed milk

For cà phê sữa đá, stir the finished coffee with condensed milk, then pour it over ice. For a simpler cup, drink it black while warm. For a longer drink, add a little hot water after brewing.

Key takeaway: Start with 15 g of coffee, a short bloom, 130 ml of hot water, and a five-minute target. Then adjust by taste. See our Hanoi Drip menu or Vietnamese coffee wholesale program.

Vietnamese phin coffee FAQ

What grind size should I use for a Vietnamese phin?

Start with a medium-fine grind: finer than a typical French press grind, but not powdery like espresso. The grounds should slow the water enough for a four-to-six-minute brew. If your coffee runs through in a couple of minutes, grind a little finer. If the phin stalls, move slightly coarser. Small changes are easier to judge than a major reset.

How much coffee goes in a phin filter?

For a common single-serving phin, 14–16 g is a dependable starting range. That is roughly two tablespoons, depending on the bean and roast. Pair it with about 120–150 ml of water, then adjust to taste. A larger phin needs more coffee and water, but the same goal remains: a concentrated brew with a calm, steady drip.

Why is my Vietnamese phin coffee dripping too slowly?

A slow phin usually means the grind is too fine or the press disk has been pushed down too firmly. First, loosen the press a little. If that does not help, use a slightly coarser grind on the next cup. Avoid shaking the brewer while it drips, as that can disturb the bed and make the flow less even.

Can I make Vietnamese phin coffee without condensed milk?

Yes. Condensed milk is a beloved way to serve phin coffee, especially over ice, but it is optional. You can drink the coffee black, add regular milk, or use a plant-based alternative. Trying the brew black first is useful because it lets you notice the coffee’s roast, sweetness, and body before adding anything else.

Do I need Vietnamese coffee beans to use a phin?

No. You can use a phin with coffee you enjoy, provided the grind suits the brewer. Vietnamese-grown robusta or arabica-robusta blends are traditional choices for a classic bold profile, but the method is flexible. Start with a coffee that tastes good to you, use the recipe as a baseline, and make small adjustments until the cup feels balanced.

Make your next cup with Hanoi Drip

Want to taste a phin brewed for you before making one at home? Visit Hanoi Drip Coffee at 12560 Bridgeport Rd #140, Richmond, BC V6V 2N5; 3779 Rupert St, Vancouver, BC V5R 5H1; or 691 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1X4. We would be glad to help you find your preferred Vietnamese coffee style.

References

1. Bon Appétit, “Everything You Need to Make Vietnamese Coffee.”
2. Nguyen Coffee Supply, “Phin Filter” brewing guide.