This delicious drink - cà phê trứng, in Vietnamese - was supposedly invented when milk was scarce and the cafe owner had to get creative. It's a combination of strong Vietnamese coffee, egg yolk, and sugar that has cemented its place as one of Hanoi's most unique experiences.
Given the iconic status this drink has, I had to try it despite not being much of a coffee person. So on my recent trip to Hanoi, I subsequently found myself in front of the birthplace of egg coffee - Cafe Giang - located at No.39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem District. Apart from a signboard above a small entrance, it is quite inconspicuous among the larger shops along the same row. Past the entrance is a dark, narrow corridor from which you can hear the echoes of conversation and laughter.
It brightens and opens into a cosy sitting area where the tables are low and come with matching miniature chairs. It's very common to see families or groups of friends huddled around one table.
Not much seating capacity as you can see, but no worries, there is a second level. Venture farther in, take the stairs on the left, and you'll reach an airier sitting area with walls adorned with art. It's noisy, bustling, and can even be somewhat chaotic due to people waiting around for seats. Thankfully, turnover is pretty fast. It's not quite the place you'd want to chill with a book. I was wondering how the lady on the right managed to tune out the cacophony of conversations clashing and echoing off the walls.
Also, amazingly, there is Wi-Fi.
You can place your order directly at the counter on the first level or catch the attention of the wait staff. There was just one terribly efficient guy taking/delivering orders when I was there.
The egg coffee arrives in a small cup sitting in a bowl of hot water to retain the temperature. The thick coffee lies below the the layer of creamy, custard-y, half-foam - very much like the coffee version of Yin and Yang. By itself, the coffee can be overwhelmingly strong and the top layer a touch too sweet, but when mixed the balance is impeccable. So as tempting as it is to inhale the frothy top layer first, stir it all together first.
Now I find myself wondering how it'd taste if I could add a shot of rum to it. Happy sigh (:
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