Vietnamese Iced Coffee (cà phê sữa đá)
2011 © copyright Savory Simple, all rights reserved
Years ago I was first introduced to cà phê sữa đá by a friend. There are numerous Vietnamese restaurants in the DC/MD/VA area and after tasting this delicious drink once, I began traveling to get it on a regular basis. Vietnamese iced coffee is creamy, rich and gives me that great burst of energy you can only get from sugar and caffeine. Bliss! Now that I realize how simple they are to make, I can enjoy them at home whenever I please. You need a Vietnamese coffee filter, which can be found online or at most Asian markets. You also need chicory coffee, which can be found at most supermarkets. I prefer Cafe Du Monde.
2011 © copyright Savory Simple, all rights reserved
Ingredients:
- Coffee with Chicory
- Water
- Sweetened condensed milk to taste
Method:
- Pour some sweetened condensed milk into a glass. Personally, I like this drink very sweet. I’d start with 2 tablespoons and see how you like it.
- Boil some water. Add 2 tablespoons of coffee to the filter, screw the top on and set it on top of the glass.
- Fill the filter all the way with boiling water, place the lid on, and allow the liquid to slowly drip into the sweetened condensed milk. This will take several minutes.
- Once the coffee has finished dripping, stir the mixture together and pour it into a fresh glass over ice. Enjoy!
2011 © copyright Savory Simple, all rights reserved
Oh my gosh! I love this! I always order it in Vietnamese restaurants and sometimes see the filters in Asian supermarkets. Why haven’t I tried it at home?!
Thanks for another inspiring post!
PS. Your photos of milk turned out awesome! Milk is so hard to get right . . .
This so makes me wish I could still drink coffee! Yum.
Wow, looking at these photos I can perfectly conjure up the smell and flavour of Vietnamese coffee. Such a guilty pleasure!
Now that you’ve introduced us to home brewed coconut milk, it has me thinking….Yes? No? In any event it’s very pretty to look at, as your work always is.
Yessssss, I love Vietnamese coffee! I used to buy it all the time when I lived in California, just two steps away from a Vietnamese sandwich shop.
I love Vietnamese Coffee also. We have used Cafe du Monde for this, but right now we are using Trung Nguyen Vietnamese coffees (http://www.trung-nguyen-online.com/index.html). Also good.
Shoot, I could have picked up some chicory a few weeks ago! This looks really good.
Oh wow, you were Freshly Pressed woo hoo!
I have never tried it but i am ALL for caffeine in a drink! c
I have heard so much of the Vietnamese coffee and how popular it is :) Although I am never a fan of coffee, I am impressed with the beauty of this coffee as well :)
Your photo just looked so artistic!;)
YES! I love Vietnamese coffee! I always wondered if it was possible at home… Thanks!
Mmmmmm. This is one of my favorite treats to drink right after a giant bowl oh pho.
When we first emigrated to Cali from Vietnam, there was no place you could find the accoutrement to make his beloved ca phe sua da, so my dad had to make do with super strong French Roast through a Mr. Coffee, but of course it just wasn’t the same. According to him, the Vietnamese coffee drip (called a “phin” in Vietnamese and pronounced like a shark fin) cooked the condensed milk during the process and changed the flavor as well as consistency. It’s really beautiful if you think about it: hot, strong coffee thins the condensed milk, the cold condensed milk slightly cools the coffee, the now lukewarm coffee poured over ice melts just enough of the ice to dilute the coffee perfectly. Magic!
One day, after we had been in the States for a few years, he came home from from Cost Plus Imports acting like he had found the Holy Grail. They not only were selling the phins (of which he bought their entire on-hand supply of eight), but they also had Cafe Du Monde. From that day forward he started the day by brewing eight perfect ca phe sua das every morning for the fam (did I mention he and my mom had 13 kids?). Eventually he switched from Cafe Du Monde to Italian Roast (make sure whatever you use, it is Turkish ground as you want it as fine as possible). Sadly, he stopped making coffee last year as he is getting on in years.
Thanks for your post – it brought back some sweet memories of when my Pops was younger and healthier.
BTW, if you’ve ever wondered why so much Vietnamese food is influenced by the French, they tried to colonize us for the better part of a century, starting in the mid-1800′s. Judging by how much of their culture we adopted and idolized, we are a “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” kind of peoples.
Thank you for sharing the story about your family! I’m glad your father was able to enjoy making the coffee at home for a time. And I never thought about the hot coffee cooking the sweetened condensed milk, how interesting.
What a lovely personal story from Huy-zer. I also love Vietnamese coffee, and consider it an indulgence when I go out for Vietnamese food. I was first introduced to this delicious treat when I was in graduate school in Minneapolis and worked in downtown St. Paul, which has a fantastic Asian culture. Now that I live in Austin, I have only found one restaurant within 12 miles of home that serves this treat.
I absolutely LOVE this coffee ! I just wish it would drip faster but guess this is a case of good things come to those who wait :)
I’m a huge fan! I’ve never thought about having this at home. I usually like to fill up the filter twice so that it’s not as thick.. yum! Thanks for the great photos too :)
I love Vietnamese coffee — maybe I’ll ask for the thingamajig for Christmas.
Wow I’ve never heard of this before but it sounds delicious!
mmmmmm I’d love some of this right now!
Beautiful photography – I think the first shot is stunning. I’m sure the coffee tastes delicious but condensed milk reminds me too much of being at boarding school in England, and I don’t want to go back to that!
Delicious! I absolutely love Vietnamese coffee, almost like having a bit of dessert after a meal.
This sounds kind of like a beverage I love called Thai coffee. Do you know if there is any difference?
Ooh, Thai Iced Coffee is good too, but it is made quite differently. It’s not as strong as ca phe sua da (seriously, this stuff is stronger than espresso – pure rocket fuel!) and is made with sugar, evaporated milk AND condensed milk. Some recipes include additional “sweet” spices like dry ginger, cardamom, clove and/or cinnamon.
I can see from the pics that Savory Simple likes her Viet Coffee suh-weet!! If you make it the same way (about 1:1 coffee:condensed milk) it will remind you a little of Thai Iced Coffee. Someone mentioned above that they run another cup of water through the filter. That is MONEY and will yield a stronger drink with more volume.
What can I say, I love sugar :)
ooohhh I love Veitnamese coffee in the summertime, so delicious and creamy!
Sugar and caffeine in the morning, I can’t imagine a bigger boots of energy. I’ve been experimenting with iced coffees lately, will try something like this.
Really good coffee. Try it at the Minh Tre restaurant on Irving Street in San Francisco. It’s good hot or cold. I like to drink it without stirring.
When I read your post this morning, my standard venti latte suddenly seemed dull and hum drum. I’m headed to the Asian market tonight to get the filter.
Ooooooh! LOVE this! The first time I had Vietnamese coffee was in NYC at Spice Market… soo tasty and creamy. I had forgotten all about this, now that I’m back in Colorado – thanks for the reminder! I think I’ll make a cup right now! :)
I love the whole ritual of the coffee
That looks delightful! I bet that filter would make a good Christmas present for my hubby who is impossible to shop for and loves coffee!
How awesome is this?? I love Vietnamese coffee, but I never thought to make it myself — how simple!
Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m definitely going to pick up or order one of these.. it would be so rich and creamy and such a nice change from the lattes I always drink!
I lived in Vietnam for a year and love Vietnamese iced coffee! Thanks for sharing your recipe———-
Kathy
Vietnamese coffee is one of the most delicious types of coffee I’ve ever had. I grew up in Houston with a favorite Vietnamese restaurant that my friends and I frequented. Something about a steaming bowl of beef pho (noodle soup) and a tall glass of Vietnamese iced coffee brings me back home. Thanks for the great post!
Hey! Fancy meeting you here! Lol. We’re totally going to Pho An when you get here in a couple weeks.
so simple yet so good!
I’ve heard of this but have yet to try it. Congratulations on being freshly pressed. I see you are departing from your detox in style! Also, I had no idea there was yet another device for brewing coffee. Great post!
I’ve stopped drinking coffee every morning and now save it for special occasions, so I did hang on to one good habit from the detox! It’s so nice being able to wake up on my own.
Yay you got freshly pressed! Amazing! Love this one.
Your photos make it look so appealing! Yet every time I’ve tried Vietnamese coffee, I haven’t really enjoyed it. My husband loves it, so his theory is that there’s something wrong with my tastebuds ;)
Still, awesome job!
Yum. It does look good, and the ingrediants are things I have in the house. I might have to give this a try.
http://valentinedefrancis.wordpress.com/
I love Vietnamese coffee as well! Congrats on making freshly pressed!! :)
Oh! You had me with the Freshly Pressed photo… then I saw it was you…YAY! Congrats! Gotta go out and get some Vietnamese coffee now.
Sugar and caffeine, the perfect combination! Seriously, though, that’s one delicious looking drink. I can’t wait to try it myself. :)
This looks sensational. I bet it tastes just as good. I will put it on my list of things to do.
Delish. Looks like a great treat.
Yuuuummm!!! Sounds fantastic. :9
Cool post! I wish I drank coffee…..
My husband would LOVE this. I got him a bag of $50 coffee imported from Kona, Hawaii for his birthday this past September. That looks amazing!!
I am in!!!!..Might even add a swig of vanilla:-)
Putting condensed milk into iced coffee is probably the best idea EVER. I first had this at a little Vietnamese cafe in London earlier this year and it ticks all the right boxes – cold, sweet, coffee-flavoured and delicious!
Let me begin by saying: what an awesome post! I would only add that you pull the water off the heat right before it boils, as boiling water will create excessive pressure, forcing the water through too quickly. Sorry to sound like a coffee snob here, but I am :) Hehe
I love this with a bowl of pho…or anything Vietnamese really. I do like to keep this for occasions I go out but buying the filter is an interesting idea. Beautiful post
I just returned to Australia after three years in Hanoi, and your post has made me so home sick!
I used to go around the corner to the local coffee shop and just sit there. Many places in Vietnam now give you the rocket fuel coffee with condensed milk, no need to wait for the drip. But there is something contemplative and zen about watching the world go by as the coffee drips painfully slowly through the grout.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh, my… one caffeine addict here who is so going to try this!
Interesting! Tried this once before and it was good! Not much of a coffeefan usually :)
But what’s the difference between a Western coffeefilter and an Asian one? Can’t I just filter it in a Wester one and then pour it in my cup?
You can absolutely use a Western filter. The Vietnamese coffee filter is part of the ritual, but the drink will taste the same either way :)
This is perfect for my coffee cravings durinng summer, specially now its hot here in New Zealand
Raymund
http://angsarap.wordpress.com
I must try to find one of those Vietnamese filters. I love to use sweetened condensed milk in coffee and I have some at home just begging to be used!
You have such beautiful recipes and such a beautiful blog!
Whoa, how come I didn’t find out about this? I feel sad. (writes this down)
It’s cheap. And it’s good!
My family loves coffee. We’re going to have to try this. Thank you for sharing your story and your pics!
I felt a buzz just reading about Vietnamese Coffee.
Ronnie
Ooh, that looks great! As soon as you said chicory coffee, I thought Cafe du Monde- before I even read the rest of your sentence :) Gotta love that New Orleans style!
cool!!! im going to try that now. salamat for the post.. :p
http://travellersdiningdepot.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/the-green-house/
I need one right now!
The word “coffee” in your title attracts me. But, the photos totally wake my taste-buds! Neat.
It looks so delicious! I love coffee! I can’t live without it. I wanna try it anytime soon..thanks for sharing…
Well i dont know whether all of you have been in Vietnam and drink a “ca fe sua da” yet, but I’m sure it’s one of the best thing to taste! hehe not only because I’m a vietnamese … if you all have chance to visit Vietnam, get up early on Saturday morning, take a trip to Notre Dame Church at Dist. 1 and order a caphe sua da at the coffe shops around the corner, I bet it’s gonna be your precious experience! Most of us – Saigonese do this!
Plus, besides Cafe sua da, we have something called “Bạc xỉu”. It’s sweeter as it gets more milk than usual, for the drinkers who prefer sweet in life :) I almost scream out when I see this post, caphe sữa đá is really my fav drink in this life, I almost have one cup a day to start a new amazing day! hehe Love the post so much!
P/S: it gets more delicous when you make ice well-kneaded, better than big pieces of ice … just most of my family members recommend, hihi
Preach, sister! I don’t have a “Crushed Ice” setting on my fridge’s icemaker and I actually will sometimes crush the ice in my blender just to get it perfect for my ca phe sua da. According to my wife, if you go to a Vietnamese restaurant you can tell the quality of the food by the quality of their coffee and their soda chanh (soda limeade – if you’ve never had it, you better get you some!). I hate to admit it, but her theory usually holds true. Especially for the coffee – if they’ve got the crushed ice, it’s a VERY good sign!
Whoa. Soooo many friends I need to send the link to this post. And, you know, so many people I need to send a link to my Amazon wish list after I add a Vietnamese coffee filter and some chicory coffee…
I’m Viet and I’ve never actually realised that the filter was Viet… I thought it was just the standard coffee filter..
:)
uponatlas.
Wow, how did you ever get those milk photos to work? I can never get a good photo of separated milk to turn out like that! Great job. I am actually thirsty now. Thanks!
Wow that looks awesome!
I am not a coffee drinker, but I know so many people who will love this Vietnamese Iced Coffee recipe. Great post
We have the same glasses!
Great blog, I was wondering if you’d like a professional logo and header for it? let me know, I look forward to hearing from you!
I never tried it, but i’d like to taste it.. nice post :)
OMG–I didn’t realize this yummy drink was so easy to make! I love Vietnamese coffee– and talk about a caffeine buzz… Will def have to try this myself at home.
How delightful for me Vietnamese to see such a traditional drink being loved by so many people :)
Personally, I can’t start a day without one glass (yes, we drink in glasses) of cà-phê-sữa-đá :)
mmm my two favourite things! Coffee and cold drinks (:
Well, everyone has their own taste. I don’t drink coffee but this looks good!
–
I only drink Milk and Chocolate.
Hmmm.. I will try this at home too.. Thanks!
Ah, this makes me miss Asia a great deal! I used to live in Vietnam for a couple of months and the coffee was just the best! Especially at the street-side restaurants :) I wonder if I can find these things here… Hmm… Congrats on being Fresh ;)
it is tempting!!
I’ve only had this once before, but it was amazing. Of course, I love just about any kind of coffee.
~Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One
I’m so glad to see you’ve been Freshly Pressed!!! Congratulations on this much-deserved honor. Coffee lover that I am, I will have to try your recipe for Vietnamese Iced Coffee. And I want to share your wonderful blog with my readers, so I’ve added you to my blogroll.
Again, congrats! It’s a kick being Freshly Pressed—enjoy every minute!
All best,
Marci
wow, I dunno this holy coffee is beloved by so many foreign people. I love it too not only it’s one of popular drinks in our country, Vietnam :), but also it really delicious
Imagine how the bitter of chicory coffee match with sweetness of condensed milk >.<
And your images so beautiful, love it~
Totally with you on this! Vietnamese Iced Coffee (and the hot version too) is fantastic.Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Cheers!
G-LO
I think I know exactly what I need right now. Thanks for the reminder! Mmmm….. cafe sua da….
I love iced coffee and your image is just drool worthy! Do drop by my blog sometime, I just did it first ever dessert recipe post and I’d love to know what you think.
thanks for the post and for typing ‘cà phê sữa đá’ right!
(from a Vietnamese) ;)
I’m a vietnamese iced coffee home-brewer too! I even attempted to take some step-by-step pics to post on my blog, but your shots are infinitely more gorgeous than mine. I think whenever I get around to writing that post on my love for V.I.C. I’ll just link to this post. Thanks for sharing! :)
Hey thanks for the post!
Vietnamese Iced Coffee is a great treat! I like it with extra condensed milk. The taste definitely gives you a kick to start off the day or night in the right direction:)
As a Vietnamese blogger and a real coffee-addict, thank you for the post! Btw, I like Vietnamese coffee with 2 spoons of honey mixed with ice, try it yourself, perhaps you like it :-)
BR,
Mmmm, my wife was just asking if we could go to a new local Vietnamese restaurant Mo Pho recently opened here in South London England. I was a bit uncertain, but now we’re going. I’m saying its our firms Christmas ‘do’.
drink it every single day ~ and why don’t you try to shake it a bit with ice ;) really good too. your post make me home sick. thanks for a helpfull post
looks yummy!! :) Never had it before, but I am definitely going to make some. Thanks for the post!!
I love all the likes! :D
Coffee looks amazingly satisfying. :)
interesting!! I’ll have to look for this.
Wow, no way! I love vietnamese coffee, every since I went to Saigon for a trip a few years ago. It’s one of the best things you can let slip down your throat in the morning, or to freshen you up during a hot blustery day. I’m craving some right now so it’s good to know how to get some!
I had to click through the Amazon link to see who was selling the filter – and somehow I knew it would be ImportFood. I worked for Jerry and his family for a couple of years and had a lot of fun – and shipped orders around the world of Thai and Asian foods and cooking gear. The coffee filters are very neat to have one!
amazing post!
you really get my taste-buds rolling :)
I LOVE this too, now you have to try a paparoti Bun. In the US they only have it in CA…hopefully they will open them on the east coast b/c the ice coffee and the bun would be heaven together. All I can say is YUM.
love viietnamese iced coffee!!! obsessed with pho as well! now you’ve got me having cravings!!
http://itsawant.wordpress.com/
Are there Decaf Versions? I love Viet Coffee, but it gets me amped up and jittery for hours.
I did a Google search for decaf chicory coffee and there were several results. So you should be good!
that looks delicious.
I didn’t know it was chicory coffee! Have you ever tried Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma? It’s a chicory tea/coffee substitute. It’s pretty good.
Great photos. And, I didn’t know how to make vietnamese coffee. Thanks for unraveling the mystery!
I have been wanting to try this for such a long time! My mom told me about it, saying i’d probably like it. For her it was too sweet? Thanks for sharing!!
This looks delicious!
Sounds yummy! If I were a coffee drinker, I’m pretty sure I’d be hook on this stuff. ;)
As a. HUGE ice coffee fan, this looks simple yet rich in taste. Cannot wait to make it on my own :)
I love Vietnamese cafe, however, I have never thought I would be able to make it!! Thanks for the blog tip! !
I am obsessed with Vietnamese coffee! I traveled to Vietnam this summer and drank a ton there. I also visited Singapore and in their outdoor markets you could get huge cups of iced Vietnamese coffee for less than a dollar. Heaven!
So glad I saw this post. We got one of these and haven’t quite figured out how to use it, or what coffee to us. This is perfect.How fine do you gind the beans? Or do you get them ground. I miss Cafe Du Monde, haven’t been back in years!
Jeannie, have it ground as fine as possible – espresso grind or better yet “Turkish” grind.
I just got back from a business trip to Vietnam a couple weeks ago and I made sure to bring back tons of Vietnamese weasle coffee!! It’ll make for great stocking stuffers for my coffee-loving friends and family as well as great for when I have people over :D
My favorite iced coffee :)
I’d love to have me one of these right now… ^.^~
I usually make Thai coffee…gotta try this. Neat pics!!
Better late than never…. i’m so glad i found this post! I love coffee, chicory coffee(being a south indian), especially vietnamese coffee!!! The 1st time i had it in Treasure Island in Vegas and feel i love with this version of coffee
Don’t see this around very often! Had to share it.