Cà Phê Trứng (Hanoi Egg Coffee)
Local name: Cà phê trứng
In short: Strong hot coffee topped with a thick, custard-like foam of whipped egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk, a Hanoi cafe specialty. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 120 kcal
Egg coffee is a Hanoi specialty that tastes closer to dessert than to a drink. Egg yolks are whipped with sugar and condensed milk into a pale, glossy cream, then spooned over a small cup of strong, hot coffee. The foam is rich and sweet like tiramisu, and the coffee underneath keeps it from being cloying. Serve it warm, with a spoon for the foam.
Instructions
- Brew the coffee and keep it hot. Warm two small cups by filling them with hot water, then pour it out.
- Whisk the yolks, condensed milk and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for 4 to 6 minutes, until the mixture is pale, thick and about three times its starting volume.
- Pour about 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) of hot coffee into each warm cup.
- Spoon the foam over the coffee and dust with cocoa if you like. Serve right away with a spoon, and stir the foam into the coffee as you drink.
Tips
- The yolks stay raw, so use very fresh or pasteurized eggs, and skip this drink for pregnant guests, young children and anyone with a weakened immune system.
- Serve at once, because the foam loosens as it sits. Setting the cup in a small bowl of hot water keeps it warm for longer.
Questions and answers
Does egg coffee taste eggy?
Not if the yolks are very fresh and whipped long enough. The foam tastes like sweet custard, and the coffee underneath balances it.
Can I make egg coffee without raw eggs?
Whisk the yolks, sugar and condensed milk in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until they reach 71°C (160°F), then whip until thick. The foam is slightly less airy but still creamy.
Can I serve it iced?
Yes. Pour the coffee over ice and spoon the foam on top. The foam keeps its shape for a few minutes.
How long does it take to make Cà Phê Trứng (Hanoi Egg Coffee)?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cà Phê Trứng (Hanoi Egg Coffee)?
About 120 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
