Vietnamese Egg Coffee Recipe – Quick And Easy

Whipping up a delicious Vietnamese egg coffee in the comfort of your home does not have to be a daunting or messy task. In this guide, find out a simple and quick method to create this exotic beverage, ensuring it’s not just tasty but also perfectly safe to savor.

💡 Check out the super-quick Vietnamese coffee preparation guide.   

What is Vietnamese egg coffee?

Vietnamese egg coffee, or as the locals call it, “Ca phe trung” is regular robusta coffee topped with raw egg yolk mixture. 

The preparation involves robusta coffee, a type of coffee bean known for its strong, full-bodied flavor, and a mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk whisked into a frothy, creamy custard. The coffee is brewed in a small, metal Vietnamese drip filter and then layered with the egg mixture.

It was born out of necessity during a milk shortage in 1946. Ever since it has become a local favorite and a must-try for any coffee enthusiast. 

How to make Vietnamese egg coffee?

Here is a quick guide on how to make your own Vietnamese egg coffee at home.

What will you need?

To make Vietnamese egg coffee, you’ll need the following:

• 2-3 tablespoons of Vietnamese coffee beans
• 2 tablespoons of condensed milk
• 1 egg
• Hot water
• A Vietnamese coffee maker (Phin filter)

What coffee beans should you use?

Vietnamese egg coffee is traditionally made with Robusta beans. These beans offer a strong, slightly bitter taste. Robusta beans are also higher in caffeine and are less acidic, making them the ideal choice for this recipe.

Why condensed milk?

Condensed milk is a key ingredient in Vietnamese egg coffee. It provides a creamy, sweet base that balances the robust flavor of the coffee. 

Instructions on how to make Vietnamese egg coffee

Make sure eggs are safe to use

Using raw eggs is a no-no for some people because of the risks of Salmonella. However, by pasteurizing your eggs, you can use raw egg yolk without worry. Check out this article to see how to pasteurize the eggs and make them safe. 

Brew the coffee

1. Unscrew the filter press from the phin filter.
2. Add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds to the filter chamber.
3. Shake the filter gently to settle the grounds, and then place the filter press back on, screwing it down to press the coffee grounds evenly.
4. Pour a small amount of hot water (just off the boil) over the coffee grounds (just enough water to cover the filter press) to allow them to “bloom” for 45 seconds.
5. After the bloom, fill the phin filter with hot water.
6. The water will slowly drip through the filter into the cup below. This process should take about 4-5 minutes. If it’s taking longer, your coffee grounds may be too fine; if it’s too quick, your grounds may be too coarse.

Create egg topping.

While your coffee is brewing, it is time to make egg topping. 

1. In a bowl, combine the egg yolk, condensed milk, and sugar. Whisk them together until you get a frothy, creamy mixture. 

If you use a mixer, it will take around the same amount of time to brew coffee. If you are doing this by hand, start before you brew the coffee so it doesn’t get cold. 

2. Test your mixture by placing a small amount of mixed egg yolk and condensed milk into a glass of water. If it floats, your topping is ready.  

Final touch

1. Once the coffee is brewed, pour it into a cup.
2. Slowly pour the egg mixture on top of the coffee. 
3. Serve hot, and enjoy your homemade Vietnamese egg coffee!

Alternative ways to make Vietnamese egg coffee

If you don’t have a phin filter but you still want to try this beverage, there are a few ways. 

Read this article to see 5 alternative ways to make Vietnamese coffee without a traditional coffee maker. 

Vietnamese egg coffee with instant coffee

For those who only have instant coffee at home, you can still make a similar version of Vietnamese egg coffee. 

Make your egg topping first since instant coffee requires less time for brewing. Prepare instant coffee in a cup or a glass, and add egg topping.

Keep in mind that this is the only alternative that slightly resembles Vietnamese egg coffee. For true experience, make sure to use regular Robusta coffee beans. 

What to do with egg white?

Don’t let that leftover egg white go to waste! There are plenty of creative ways to put it to good use.

• Whisk it into a frothy topping: Just like the egg yolk mixture used in Vietnamese egg coffee, you can whisk the egg whites with a bit of sugar to create a light and fluffy topping. This can be a delicious addition to other beverages like hot chocolate or matcha lattes.
• Make meringues: These delicate treats are perfect for snacking or as a topping for pies and desserts. Follow this recipe to make it at home. 
• Prepare an egg white omelet: Egg whites are a great source of protein and can be used to make a healthy and low-fat omelet. 

Popular egg coffees around the world 

While Vietnamese egg coffee has become the most popular, it’s not the only egg-based coffee beverage out there. Here are a few popular egg coffees from around the world that are worth exploring:

• Swedish egg coffee
• Norwegian egg coffee
• Malaysian Kopi Telur

Final thoughts

It is true that Vietnamese egg coffee requires more time and effort than a regular cup of coffee, but it is absolutely worth the effort. By following the recipe above, you can make it in 5 minutes.