7 Of The Best Coffees For Vietnamese Coffee

If you are looking for the best coffees for Vietnamese coffee, then look no further. This article details how to find and what sets Vietnamese coffee apart.

First things first; for those of you not familiar with Vietnamese coffee, it’s a real thing of beauty. Typically it’s served in a small thick glass containing a layer of condensed milk. Sitting atop the glass is a stainless steel filter called a phin.

From there, the coffee drips into the glass and mixes with its contents. It is truly wonderful to witness the flavors of the robusta beans (which are the roast coffee typically used) mix with the sweet milk. If you prefer cold coffee, you can order a Vietnamese iced coffee.

If it is your first time ordering this, you should know that it is also known as a “cà phê sữa đá”. It is presented using the same set-up, with the only difference being an accompanying glass filled with ice. For that version, you simply wait for the coffee to stop dripping and pour into the ice-filled glass.

What You Will Need For Vietnamese Coffee

The first thing you will need is the phin filters that are used. They should be available in your local Asian market. If not, contact your local Vietnamese restaurant, and they should be able to send you in the right direction.

From there, you will obviously need to purchase condensed milk. Longevity Brand is an authentic one chosen by many a Vietnamese coffee house. The most important element of your recipe is the ground coffee, but we will talk more about that a little later.

How To Make Vietnamese Coffee

You start with 1-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into your heatproof glass. From there, put about 3 tablespoons of ground coffee into your filter. Then, place the filter on top of the glass (do this gently, you don’t want a mess!).

Then, measure out between six and eight ounces of almost boiling water, depending on the desired strength of your coffee.

The first thing you do is place two tablespoons of this hot water into the coffee. This allows the grounds to expand. Then, gently press the filter.

Now, you can slowly pour the press of the water through the filter and begin the dripping process.

Allow for this process to complete, then enjoy. For an iced version of this drink, simply pour it over a glass that has been filled with ice.

Most traditional coffee houses in Vietnam use robusta beans because of their popularity in the country. Robusta beans tend to be less expensive and have a longer shelf life than arabica beans.

The Strongest Vietnamese Coffee

Looking for the strongest Vietnamese coffee on Amazon is a bit redundant, as virtually all of the genuine brands offer a caffeine hit that is much stronger than your regular brewed coffee.

However, if we had to go for one brand that will give you an extra boost, we would choose Chestbrew Moon Bear. If you are making a cup of coffee with this brand, be careful, as one drip coffee will be plenty enough to get your caffeine fix.

The Best Coffees For Vietnamese Coffee

Vietnamese brands offer something for every taste.

When looking for the best beans to put in your Vietnamese coffee maker, it’s a no-brainer to look to Vietnam first. A wide variety of Vietnamese brands offer something for every taste, and the different takes on the tradition make for a satisfying exploration.

1. The Best Overall: Saigon Phin Daklak

Saigon Phin Daklak has to be the number one choice if you are making Vietnamese coffee. It comes from the Lang Thang Coffee Company and is a mild, smooth, roasted ground coffee.

When making Vietnamese-style coffee, this ground coffee hits all the right notes. Its ingredients are sourced from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and it gives you a real taste of the beautiful country. Saigon Phin Daklak Vietnamese Coffee does not taste too bitter either, so it’s ideal if you want to ease yourself into the world of Vietnamese coffee.

2. The Best Premium Brand: Robarica Espresso Dark Roast

Robarica is a premium Vietnamese brand, offering an updated take on the traditional 100% robusta coffee that the country is known for.

The low-acidity beans in their espresso roast have a deep flavor of chocolate and a rich, almost buttery finish that works beautifully with the condensed milk. It’s also a good option for making espresso–many Italian espresso fans consider robusta beans the superior option since they generate a richer, thicker crema.

3. The Strongest Coffee: Chestbrew Moon Bear

While arabica beans aren’t as popular for Vietnamese coffee, this brand’s Moon Bear dark roast is a welcome exception. Sourced from Vietnam, the deep, dark roast lends a strong and bold flavor that makes up for the differences between the arabica and robusta beans.

As a result, the coffee is a versatile power player: not just appropriate for Vietnamese brewing styles, but also good across Chemex, french press, and other brewing methods. The complex flavor is less bitter than robusta beans tend to be but still intense and exotic.

4. The Best For Balance: Trung Nguyen Premium Blend

This versatile pre-ground coffee features a blend of arabica and robusta beans and offers a balanced cup. Flavors of chocolate and roasted nuts mingle with more fruity, acidic notes to deliver a classic Vietnamese coffee experience that is as satisfying for beginners as veterans.

The brand uses traditional methods, including butter-roasting the beans, to create complex flavors and aromas that I appreciate. It hits all the right notes and is a crowd-pleaser.

5. Best For If You’re On The Go: Copper Cow Coffee

With every Copper Cow Coffee Vietnamese Pour-Over Coffee purchase, you will get five strong, dark, and flavorful espresso cups. Not only that, but the pack also contains five packs of Real California condensed milk as your sweetener and five packs of coffee powders for you to enjoy a classic Vietnamese latte whenever you want!

A filter-wing coffee pouch will ensure there are no coffee grounds in your cup. With four simple steps — a tear, hang, pour, and squeeze — you can make a delicious cup of Java. It works in the same way as pour-over coffee, so it is simple to make a cup of traditional Vietnamese-style coffee at home.

6. The Best For Newcomers: Birdee Nature’s Lead

Vietnamese coffee is an acquired taste as it tends to be on the stronger side. Birdee’s Nature’s Lead blend is a great starting point as it’s medium roasted and contains 80% Robusta beans and 20% Arabica coffee. It still packs a punch but will still taste familiar to those used to milder coffee.

The beans were handpicked to ensure the best enter your cup. The java is smooth with some smokey flavors.

7. The Best Instant Coffee: NESCAFE Cafe Viet

Yes, they have developed an instant coffee to replicate the taste you would get in a genuine Vietnamese coffee shop.

Nescafe Cafe Viet Milky Iced Coffee is created with high-quality Vietnamese coffee beans. It is indeed a milky iced coffee with a strong coffee flavor and a rich, creamy taste of real milk. This coffee can be consumed hot or cold.

Simply pour 70 mL boiling water for a hot brew and 50 mL water with some ice cubes for a cold brew.