Vietnam is famous for its various types of
coffee, and the country has successfully cultivated the industry and imagery
for a connoisseur of coffee. This is in spite of the fact that Vietnamese coffee
we found tended to be more bitter and dense than the usual, and quite often was
a cultivated taste. However, there’s a lot of variety in it, and its become
quite well accepted. Accordingly, we also decided to take a “coffee run” in Hanoi
to see what it was all about.Giang Cafe, Hanoi
The most prominent brand that we saw everywhere
was actually Highlands coffee, similar to Café Coffee Day in India, or like
Starbucks. It has its own coffee farms and brands, and runs cafés, which we
found practically where in Vietnamese cities, like Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi
Minh City (HCMC).Iced Coffee, Hanoi
Egg Coffee, Giang Cafe |
There were a few things right off the bat. First was the egg coffee, which we tried at Giang Coffee (see picture). This is an old place, on the first floor and not very attractive at first look- full of stools and low tables and nooks and crannies, but it was well frequented and did not give any negative vibes. Its also in the old quarter and is famous for the thick coffee with egg yolk, Robusta Beans, condensed milk and sugar. A thick concoction (see photo). It’s a cultivated taste, for sure. And unique- a good experience.
Our coffee run went from The Giang, to
Highlands ( near the Tha Long Water Puppet theatre) , to Kafa and Trung,
typical Hanoi places around the old quarter. Not many tourists when we were
there but a lot of young people. Good cool vibes around the place.
When in Vietnam, don’t forget to try the
coffee. It is a different taste and style than what we see perhaps in India or
western countries, and which has now become a USP for Vietnam itself.