What is egg coffee?

Egg coffee, or Cà phê trứng, is a traditional Vietnamese drink made from egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and strong coffee^[5][6]. The drink originated in Hanoi during the late 1940s when milk was scarce, leading a local cafe founder to use whisked egg yolk as a replacement^[2][5].

To prepare it, egg yolks are whipped with sugar and condensed milk until they form a thick, fluffy, and aromatic foam, which is then layered over brewed coffee^[2][5][6]. The lipids in the yolk emulsify with the coffee, helping to neutralize the bitterness of the roast^[5]. The drink can be served hot or iced, and sometimes includes ingredients like cocoa, matcha, or even cheese, depending on the specific recipe used^[2][3][5].