Cà phê trứng: Hanoi's egg coffee
It sounds strange until you taste it. Then it tastes like tiramisu you drink with a spoon.
Cà phê trứng is Hanoi’s egg coffee: strong Vietnamese coffee topped with egg yolk whipped with sugar and condensed milk into a thick, sweet foam. It usually costs 35,000–60,000 VND. Order “Cho tôi một cà phê trứng nóng”, and drink it at the café – it’s served in a real cup.
At a glance
How to order
“Cho tôi một cà phê trứng nóng.”
One hot egg coffee. Say đá instead of nóng for an iced version, and không lấy ống hút if it arrives with a straw.
Where it came from
Egg coffee is credited to Nguyễn Văn Giảng, who worked as a bartender at the Metropole hotel in Hanoi and created the drink in 1946, using whipped egg in place of milk. His family still runs Café Giảng in the Old Quarter.
How to drink it
Don’t stir straight away. Eat a few spoonfuls of the foam first, then mix it into the coffee underneath. The hot version is kept warm in a bowl of hot water – take your time.
Try the family
Many cafés also serve egg cocoa, egg matcha or egg beer. If egg coffee is too strong for you, egg cocoa is a gentle start.
Questions travellers ask
What does egg coffee taste like?
Sweet, rich and creamy – often compared to tiramisu or custard – with strong coffee underneath.
Is egg coffee safe to drink?
It is made with fresh egg yolk that is whipped rather than cooked. Busy, well-known cafés are the best choice; skip it if you avoid raw egg.
Who invented egg coffee?
It is credited to Nguyễn Văn Giảng, a bartender at Hanoi’s Metropole hotel, in 1946. His family runs Café Giảng today.
How much is egg coffee in Hanoi?
Around 35,000–60,000 VND a cup.
Prices are typical ranges we’ve seen and change often; tourist areas can charge more. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Last updated 2026-09-30.
