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Café Giang – A Must-Visit Coffee Spot in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Vietnam’s coffee culture is something you feel immediately. From early morning to late at night, tiny cafés spill onto pavements, locals perched on low stools sipping strong drip coffee brewed through a phin filter. On my first trip to Hanoi, there was one coffee stop that felt non-negotiable: Cafe Giảng.
Hidden away down a narrow alley on Nguyen Huu Huan Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Cafe Giảng is famously known as the birthplace of egg coffee. It’s unassuming, slightly chaotic, and full of character—exactly the kind of place I’m always drawn to when travelling.
The Story Behind Cafe Giảng
Cafe Giảng was founded in 1946 by Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, who is credited with inventing cà phê trứng during a time when fresh milk was scarce in Vietnam. What started as a creative solution quickly became one of Hanoi’s most iconic drinks.
Walking into the original café feels like stepping back in time. It’s not polished or trendy, but that’s part of its charm. You come here for the history, the atmosphere, and of course, the coffee.
Trying the Famous Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng)
Egg coffee is something you really must experience to understand. A thick, custard-like cream made from whisked egg yolk and condensed milk sits on top of hot Vietnamese coffee. It’s served warm, often resting in a bowl of hot water to keep the foam perfectly silky.
The first sip is surprisingly delicate. Creamy, smooth, and lightly sweet, it tastes almost like drinking custard—but with a deep coffee bitterness underneath. As you slowly mix the layers together, the flavours balance beautifully. Rich without being heavy, indulgent without being sickly.
It’s more dessert than drink, and easily one of the most memorable coffees I’ve had in Vietnam.
Café Giang Menu – Hanoi’s Iconic Egg Coffee Café
Menu
Coffee & Signature Drinks
| Item | Description | Approx. Price (VND) |
| Cà phê trứng (Egg Coffee) | Classic Hanoi egg coffee, served hot or iced | ~30,000–35,000 VND |
| Cacao trứng (Egg Cocoa) | Egg-foam with rich cocoa | ~30,000 VND |
| Đậu xanh trứng (Mung Bean Egg) | Egg mix with mung bean | ~30,000 VND |
| Hỗn trứng (Egg Mix – cocoa/coffee, mung/coffee) | Blend variations | ~30,000 VND |
| Kem trứng (Egg Cream – cacao/coffee/mung) | Extra creamy egg-cream variants | ~30,000 VND |
| Matcha trứng (Matcha Egg) | Matcha green tea with egg foam | ~40,000 VND |
| Quế trứng (Egg Cinnamon) | Cinnamon-spiced egg coffee | ~40,000 VND |
| Trứng hạnh nhân (Almond Egg Coffee) | Almond twist on egg coffee | ~40,000 VND |
| Bia trứng (Egg Beer) | Fun egg foam beer drink | ~50,000 VND |
| Rum trứng (Egg Rum – cacao/coffee) | Alcoholic egg coffee variation | ~50,000 VND |
| Coca trứng (Egg Coke) | Egg-foam with cola | ~50,000 VND |
Traditional Coffee
| Item | Description | Approx. Price (VND) |
| Cà phê đen (Black Coffee) | Traditional Vietnamese black coffee | ~25,000 VND |
| Cà phê sữa (Coffee with Condensed Milk) | Classic sweet coffee | ~25,000 VND |
| Bạc xỉu | Lighter, milkier coffee | ~30,000 VND |
| Drip coffee & Coffee powder (take-home) | Bags and ground coffee available | ~90,000–120,000 VND |
Cafe Giảng Locations in Hanoi
While Cafe Giảng has expanded, the original location remains the most atmospheric and well worth seeking out.
Original Cafe Giảng
39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Second Location
3rd Floor – Foodhall, Lotte Mall Tay Ho, Hanoi
For more information on Cafe Giảng visit the website https://cafegiang.vn/
