Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a mesmerizing labyrinth of narrow streets teeming with life, offers a sensory feast for every traveler. Among the countless options, one stands out with its intriguing blend of richness and sweetness: the captivating scent of egg coffee, or cà phê trứng. Egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter is a cultural experience you simply cannot miss during your Hanoi adventure.
Egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter: A must-try culinary experience
Today, Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, with its bold robusta beans fueling a thriving café scene. This explains why coffee enjoys such widespread popularity as a drink in Vietnam, providing folks with a huge variety of styles to choose from. Among its many brews, egg coffee stands out as a local delicacy that’s both a cultural icon and a delicious treat.
Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or just a curious traveler. It’s not just the taste which is creamy, rich, and bold with that unique egg-yolk twist, but the story behind it: a clever invention born from hardship that’s now a Hanoi staple. You won’t find anything quite like it anywhere else, making it a delicious checkpoint of cultural discovery.
Plus, enjoying it in the buzzing Old Quarter, surrounded by history and local life, turns a quick coffee break into a memorable dive into Vietnam’s character. Sipping egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter is like sipping a piece of history.
A taste of history: The origins of egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter
The story of egg coffee is as rich and intriguing as the drink itself. The ingenious creator of this now-famous beverage was Mr. Nguyen Van Giang. He worked as a bartender at the prestigious Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel during the French colonial era (from 1930 to 1945).
Faced with the shortage of fresh milk, he experimented with readily available ingredients. In 1946, he discovered the perfect recipe by substituting milk with whisked egg yolks. This kind of coffee creates a similar yet affordable Vietnamese version. This innovative creation turned out to be a huge success, making it one of the best foods in Hanoi. Thus, Giang Cafe was born, becoming the birthplace of the original egg coffee.
Exploring the egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter is an essential part of any visit to this vibrant city. Hope that the above guide shows you all you need to find out the best place to have egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Your guide to the best egg coffee spots in Hanoi Old Quarter:
You can generally expect to pay around 30,000 to 60,000 Vietnamese Dong ($1.30 to $2.60 USD) for a cup of the signature egg coffee in the Old Quarter. Here are some of the top cafes which are a must-visit for any tourists to Hanoi.
1. Café Giang – The original
- Address: 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân Street, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm
- Opening Hours: 7:00 – 22:30
As the legendary birthplace of egg coffee, a visit to Café Giang is a pilgrimage for any egg coffee enthusiast. They have been serving their authentic and creamy egg coffee since the 1940s, but the original recipe remains a closely guarded secret.
The velvety smooth texture and the perfect harmony of flavors are simply irresistible. The hot egg coffee is traditionally served in a small cup placed inside a bowl of hot water to maintain its temperature. Be prepared for a bustling atmosphere, especially during peak hours, as this iconic establishment is a favorite among both locals and tourists.
2. Café Dinh – A cozy hidden gem
- Address: 13 Dinh Liet Street (See map) (No. 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 7:00 – 21:30
The egg coffee at Café Dinh in Hanoi is unique for its deep ties to the drink’s origins and its authentic, time-honored preparation. Owned by the daughter of Nguyen Van Giang, who invented egg coffee in 1946, Café Dinh carries a legacy of tradition.
Unlike modern variations, Egg coffee in Café Dinh stays true to its roots, often incorporating subtle hints of butter or condensed milk, though the exact blend remains a family secret. Served in a modest, nostalgic setting overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, the experience feels like a step back in time, blending flavor with history in a way few places can replicate.
3. Do Coffee & Art – A creative blend
- Address: 25B, Ly Quoc Su Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 9:00 – 14h (Tuesday closed)
Do Coffee & Art offers a unique experience by combining art and coffee, with a vast collection of paintings adorning its walls. Their delicious and rich egg coffee is a must-try, along with their popular hot chocolate. Yet, it’s the cafe’s artistic soul that truly captivates: walls adorned with striking paintings, each brushstroke infusing the space with creativity.
This gallery-like setting, enhanced by a cozy mezzanine, elevates every sip into an immersive experience, where art and taste intertwine harmoniously.
4. Oriberry Coffee – Balanced flavors and social responsibility
- Address: 36, Au Trieu Street, Hanoi Note: This address is within the Old Quarter.
- Opening Hours: 7:00 to 22:00
Unlike typical cafes, Oriberry is deeply committed to fair trade and sustainability, working directly with local and indigenous farmers across Vietnam’s coffee-growing regions, such as Quảng Trị and Đà Lạt. This direct-trade model ensures high-quality, single-origin beans, primarily Arabica.
Beyond the brew, Oriberry showcases handmade pottery from Bat Trang village. Picture elegant celadon-green vases alongside striking blue-and-white pour-over filters, lending the space a distinctive artisanal charm. Other than that, the cafe collaborates with farmers’ cooperatives to enhance working conditions and boost incomes for underprivileged farmers.
5. Hanoi Time Coffee – Vintage charm with lake views
- Address: No. 39, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 08:00 – 23:00
The cozy space here unfolds with warm yellow walls, vintage wooden furniture, and black-and-white sketches of Hanoi’s 36 Old Quarter streets, evoking a bygone era. Unlike the bustling cafes below, it remains a quiet retreat, drawing those who seek peace over crowds.
Also known for its egg coffee, it pairs this iconic drink with stunning lake views, creating a serene, timeless escape that feels distinctly Hanoian.
6. Cong Caphe – Cozy and authentic
- Address: No. 27 Nha Tho Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening Hours: 7:30 – 23:30
Cong Caphe at 27 Nha Tho captivates with its retro Vietnamese flair, perched opposite St. Joseph’s Cathedral in the Old Quarter. Its military-chic decor with vintage furniture, propaganda posters, and chipped tiles echoes the “Bao Cap” era, crafting a nostalgic vibe.
From the third-floor balcony, you can savor a velvety sip of egg coffee. Meanwhile, just gaze at the majestic cathedral framed against Hanoi’s skyline, the lively street buzz humming below. The rich, frothy brew in your hand perfectly complements the vibrant tapestry of sounds and sights, making it an unforgettable moment in the Old Quarter.
7. The Note Coffee Hanoi – An instagrammable experience
- Address: 64 Lương Văn Can, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Opening Hours: 6:30 – 23:00
The Note Coffee in Hanoi stands out with its whimsical charm. Every inch of its multi-story interior is blanketed in colorful sticky notes left by global visitors, sharing quotes, jokes, and dreams.
The egg coffee here is a velvety masterpiece. It is the perfect combination of robust Vietnamese coffee with a thick, creamy topping of whipped egg yolk and sugar that melts into a rich, dessert-like layer. Served in charming cups with a personal handwritten note from the staff, it elevates the traditional recipe into a warm, indulgent ritual.
If you’re unsure of the spot to have egg coffee in Hanoi Old Quarter or making plans for best things to do in Hanoi, trust Lily’s Travel to be your dependable companion. With 15 years of travel industry expertise, we specialize in crafting detailed itineraries, tailoring exhilarating adventures. Thanks to this, we can make sure to offer round-the-clock support to ensure your journey is unforgettable.
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