Vietnamese Salt Coffee Recipe: Sweet, Salty, and Savory

A cup of Vietnamese salt coffee

Vietnamese salt coffee cà phê muối emerges as a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation in the realm of global coffee culture. This unique beverage combines the boldness of Vietnamese coffee with an unexpected twist of salt.

When people talk about Vietnamese coffee, most will immediately think of the famous Egg Coffee. Its unique combination of rich coffee and creamy egg yolk is undoubtedly an iconic experience. However, for me, the best coffee experience in Vietnam is not Egg Coffee, but rather Salt Coffee, known locally as Cà Phê Muối.

Vietnamese salt coffee recipe

My first encounter with Cà Phê Muối was in the charming city of Hue. Intrigued by the name, I decided to give it a try, not knowing what to expect. To my surprise, the subtle hint of salt blended with the robust flavor of the coffee created a fine balance of bitter and sweet flavors reminiscent of salted caramel.

While Egg Coffee will always hold a special place in Vietnamese cuisine, it is the understated charm of Salt Coffee that truly captured my heart. Here’s how to make the Salt Coffee:

Vietnamese salt coffee recipe

Vietnamese Salt Coffee Recipe

A unique and refreshing beverage that combines the rich flavors of coffee with a touch of salt. This drink balances the bitterness of strong coffee with the subtle saltiness, creating a smooth and complex flavor profile.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Brew time 4 minutes
Total Time 9 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Asian, Vietnamese
Servings 1
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp of ground coffee or your preferred dark roast coffee
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 3 tbsp heavy cream
  • 2 tsp unsweetened milk
  • Ice cubes optional

Instructions
 

  • Use your coffee machine to brew 1 cup of strong coffee. Adjust the amount of ground coffee and water according to your machine’s instructions to get a rich, concentrated coffee.
  • In a cup, add heavy cream, milk, and salt
  • Use a milk frother to whip the mixture until it becomes fluffy. If you don't have a milk frother, you can whip the mixture by hand using a spoon. Beat vigorously and continuously for 4-5 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency
  • In a glass, add condensed milk and pour the brewed coffee over it.
  • Stir well to dissolve the condensed milk into the coffee.
  • Add ice cubes if desire
  • Pour the salted cream on top and garnish with cocoa powder

Notes

You can use instant coffee to make Vietnamese Salt Coffee.
You can adjust the amount of condensed milk and heavy cream to suit your personal taste. If you are used to or prefer drinking black coffee with little to no sweetness, you can omit the condensed milk altogether.
Salted cream coffee has the characteristic sweet-bitter taste of coffee with milk, combined with the rich, creamy, and slightly salty flavor of the cream, creating a very unique and novel taste experience.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal
Keyword sweet and salty shot, vietnamese cuisine, vietnamese salt coffee
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This salt coffee’s unique flavor profile challenges our preconceptions about coffee and opens up new possibilities for culinary exploration. So, why not give it a try? You might just discover your new favorite coffee experience.

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