Hanoi’s egg coffee finds fame among celebrities
Egg coffee, originating in Hanoi, has charmed the tastes of global icons, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and singer John Legend.
The cup of egg coffee that Cook enjoyed was prepared by Phan Le, the manager of Madame Hien Restaurant on Hang Be Street in the capital’s Hoan Kiem District.
Egg coffee has been a staple of Hanoi cuisine for nearly a century, tracing its roots back to the 1940s. It comprises a blend of egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar, and butter, all whipped together to a smooth consistency and served with hot coffee.
Before drinking, patrons are encouraged to savor the foam atop their coffee with a teaspoon.
While numerous establishments across the capital offer egg coffee, Le noted that their shop may not be the most renowned for this delicacy in Hanoi, but it certainly boasts its own unique advantages.
Photo by VnExpress/Tu Nguyen
Cook isn’t the first billionaire to develop a fondness for this beverage in Hanoi. In June 2023, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao visited Giang Coffee on Nguyen Huu Huan Street to savor egg coffee.
Giang is celebrated as the birthplace of this iconic drink. With a history spanning over 70 years, the shop is currently under the stewardship of its third-generation owner. Serving approximately 1,500 cups of coffee daily, it attracts a diverse clientele, with 70% comprising tourists—half of whom are international visitors.
In May 2022, Miss Indonesia Pricilia Carla Yules indulged in egg coffee at the same establishment.
Photo by VnExpress/Khuong Nha
In September 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (seated in the middle of the photo) was seen enjoying coffee alongside Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and other politicians at All Day Coffee, situated on Hang Bun Street of Ba Dinh District. Antony opted for egg coffee during his visit.
In April of the same year, renowned culinary guide Michelin hailed egg coffee as a “Hanoi coffee masterpiece.” It ranked this delectable beverage among the top six ways to savor coffee in Vietnam.
Photo by VnExpress
During his first visit to Hanoi in 2022, singer John Legend made a stop at Dinh Coffee on Dinh Tien Hoang Street of Hoan Kiem District to indulge in egg coffee.
The cup he savored bore an illustration of the Turtle Tower, an iconic symbol of Hanoi, along with his initials.
In addition to enjoying egg coffee, the music producer – who has received 10 Grammy awards – also captured moments at Quan Thanh Temple and checked in at the Hanoi Opera House.
Sharing his experiences on Instagram, he expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its warm welcome and praised the beauty of the Opera House.
Photo by Instagram/Johnlegend
Egg coffee has transcended its status as an unfamiliar beverage among international diners. Roughly a decade ago, it garnered praise and attention from the global media upon its introduction in Hanoi. Today, it stands as one of Vietnam’s popular drinks, particularly among young people.
In 2014, the drink claimed top spot on Buzzfeed’s list of coffee-based drinks to try while traveling. Elisabeth Rosen, a British reporter for Lonely Planet, advocated for international tourists to experience the delicacy when visiting Vietnam.
Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Mai
By Anh Minh – VNExpress
