How to Make Vietnamese Salt Coffee (Cà Phê Muối) – The Authentic Recipe

Coffee and salt? Sounds like an unlikely pairing. But in Vietnam, this seemingly strange combination is the secret behind one of the most addictive beverages, Cà Phê Muối (Vietnamese Salt Coffee).

You may have seen salt coffee recipes that simply mix heavy cream with salt. That’s the easy way, but it’s not the authentic method. As a Vietnamese, I’ll show you how to make this drink the proper Vietnamese way.

What is Vietnamese Salt Coffee?

Vietnamese Salt Coffee (Cà phê muối) is a unique variation of Vietnamese coffee that originated in Huế and quickly spread throughout the country. This drink combines strong, robust coffee with a whipped cream foam that contains a touch of salt. The subtle saltiness enhances the creamy sweetness and balances the coffee’s bitterness, creating a harmoniously smooth flavor that’s incredibly easy to drink.

Unlike Hanoi’s famous Egg Coffee, Salt Coffee isn’t an age-old tradition. It was actually invented relatively recently, in the 2000s.

A small café, literally named ‘Cà Phê Muối’ in Huế, created it. The story goes that the owner wanted to craft a completely unique flavor to stand out from the crowd. It quickly became a local “legend,” a must-try experience for any tourist visiting Huế. What started at a small shop has now exploded into a nationwide trend.

What Does It Taste Like?

Salt coffee has a subtle salty note that enhances the creamy sweetness and balances the coffee’s bitterness, creating a harmonious flavor profile that’s very easy to drink.

Salt in coffee, sounds weird, right? But the goal isn’t to make the coffee “salty,” but rather to reduce the coffee’s bitterness. It’s pure food science.

Salt is a bitter suppressor. Even a tiny pinch has the power to neutralizee and block our taste receptors, preventing them from detecting bitter, harsh notes. When you add it to dark-roasted Robusta coffee, it chemically “smooths out” the entire beverage.

How to Make Salt Coffee (Step-by-Step)

Equipment Needed:

• Phin filter (or espresso machine)
• Electric hand mixer
• 1 large glass (for mixing)

Ingredients:

• 50 ml whipping cream
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 25 g sweetened condensed milk
• 20 g Vietnamese coffee grounds (Robusta or blend)
• 80 ml boiling water
• Ice cubes

Step 1: Make the Salted Cream

In a large glass or bowl, combine:

• 50ml whipping cream
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Use an electric mixer to whip until the mixture becomes thick and fluffy, but not overly dense.

Pro Tips:

• Chill the cream before whipping, it will whip more easily and avoid becoming watery
• Use pink salt for a milder, more delicious salty flavor

See full article: How to make sea salt cream for Matcha, Coffee

Step 2: Brew the Coffee

Use 20 grams of Vietnamese coffee grounds (Robusta) to brew 40ml of coffee using the phin method. You can also substitute with 40ml of espresso.

However, I genuinely recommend trying the phin method to achieve the most authentic Vietnamese flavor.

How to Brew Coffee with a Phin:

Place the phin on top of a glass. Warm the phin by rinsing it with hot water

Add 20g of coffee grounds, shake gently to distribute evenly. Pour 30ml of 95°C (203°F) hot water, let bloom for 40 seconds

Continue adding 50ml of 95°C hot water, close the lid

Wait for the coffee to extract, it will drip into the glass (about 5-7 minutes)

Remove the phin, you’ll now have 40ml of coffee concentrate

Add 25 grams of sweetened condensed milk and stir well

For coffee beans, use medium-coarse ground Robusta. You can find Café du Monde on Amazon or Nguyen Coffee Supply.

Step 3: Assemble the Drink

Add ice to the glass. Then gently pour the salted cream on top of the coffee layer. The cream should float on top of the coffee and nearly fill the rim of the glass for the authentic presentation.

Step 4: Garnish

Sprinkle a bit of cocoa powder or chocolate powder on the surface to make your salt coffee more visually appealing.

How to Enjoy

You can use a spoon to taste the rich cream layer on top first, then gently stir from the bottom up so the coffee gradually blends into the cream.

Where to Find Salt Coffee in Vietnam

Salt coffee is widely available throughout Vietnam at cafés offering dine-in or take-away service. Here are some spots I’ve personally tried in Huế, HCMC, and Hanoi:

In Huế

Cà Phê Muối Nguyen Luong Bang

This is the original café that created salt coffee in Vietnam. Although many other shops now sell it, this place maintains the most distinctive flavor. If you visit Huế, you absolutely must try it here.

Address:

• Location 1: 10 Nguyen Luong Bang
• Location 2: 142 Dang Thai Than, Huế City

In Ho Chi Minh City

Hue Cafe Roastery Thao Dien

This HCMC café is owned by someone originally from Huế, and their salt coffee is incredibly smooth and creamy. They also serve pastries and occasionally host coffee-making workshops. The café features a garden space, perfect for nature lovers.

Address: 67B Xuan Thuy, An Khanh Ward, HCMC

In Hanoi

Gạt Tàn Coffee

This café specializes in salt coffee with perfectly balanced coffee and salt flavors.

Address: 114 Tran Vu, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District

Now you know how to make authentic Vietnamese salt coffee at home! This unique beverage showcases Vietnam’s innovative coffee culture and proves that sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most memorable flavors.