Community

[People of Hanoi] The egg coffee expert

Nguyen Van Dao has long managed his family legacy, overseeing a place in the heart of the city as encapsulated in a cup of coffee…

Published

6 years ago

on

Those who have spent any time in Hanoi know that the best joints in town are hidden hideaways, those that barely beg attention at first glance. And so it is with Café Giang, one of the cities ‘four pillars of coffee,’ legacy coffee-houses (see also, cafes Nhan, Nhi and Di), which almost seem to define the drinking culture of the city itself, which is surely Asia’s coffee capital.

Café Giang is not Hanoi’s oldest coffee-house, yet it has still been open since 1946 and in some ways is part of very fabric of the capital’s history. The entrance is wedged between two standard-sized shops, and you have to nip down a back alley with just enough space to enter in single file. It’s in these humble confines that we meet proprietor and coffee expert Nguyen Van Dao, with his soft eyes, gentle demeanor and faintest wisp of a beard, he welcomes us with a grandfatherly smile and ushers us upstairs to his aged coffee-lair.

Nguyen Van Dao.

Come up, come up,” he says. ‘“Up here is much more relaxing.” And so it is. There’s a surprisingly spacious seating area and even a mini open-terrace, where you can make out the faint hustle-and-bustle of the city below.

“The Vietnamese don’t like their coffee black, so my father took a leap of faith and decided to put egg yolk into the drink.”

Dao is no spring chicken. In fact, he is as old as the coffeehouse itself. Though he didn’t join the family business until his 30s, as he had a previous career as a marine engineer. Sitting down over mugs of piping hot coffee, his eyes brighten as he starts to talk about the café and its storied history. The old man suddenly seems like a young boy, beaming in quiet unadulterated joy. It’s his café’s family that created one of Hanoi’s most famous beverages, a drink that can be found in few other places in the world: egg coffee. And he delights in telling us of its origins.

Dao recalls the early years of his coffeehouse.

“The year was 1946 and it was a time of ongoing warfare and rampant famine in Northern Vietnam. Finding milk – let alone being able to afford it – was an impossible feat!” Dao tells Chào. “Even for my father, Giang.”

Center, is Mr. Giang’s wife in traditional attire, Mr Giang to the right, together with their children and grandchildren. The little boy on the bottom in the collar shirt is Dao.

Dao’s father Nguyen Van Giang was something of a minor celebrity in his day, an esteemed bartender working at the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, visited by such luminaries as Graham Greene and Charlie Chaplin.

Nguyen Van Giang (founder), head bartender at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel as a judge for a bartending competition in the 1950s.

“The Vietnamese don’t like their coffee black, so my father took a leap of faith and decided to put egg yolk into the drink,” Dao says. “This was a radical idea! It was an immediate hit, and the people loved it.” The egg concoction became so popular that it quickly surpassed the much-beloved Vietnamese iced-coffee, and thus, their family café was born.

 “It was like guerrilla warfare, you know,” Dao chuckles. “We kept opening and then closing. If it felt like the authorities weren’t in support, we’d hit pause on our café to align with the wartime’s priorities.”

Dao’s excitement at the drink his father popularized is so intense that Chào’ feels compelled to order a round, and we quickly do so. As we take our first sip, any doubts about the seemingly incompatible combination vanishes. Dipped in a small bowl of warm water to sustain its heat, the scent steaming from the cup of hot golden goodness is heavenly. The flavor is sweet enough to fool you into thinking it’s a dessert, that is, until the strong distinctly Vietnamese caffeine kicks in with a bang. We stay silent for a while, simply sipping on warming drink, enjoying the moment for what it is. Drinking coffee as it should be drank. For those that want something a little extra to the creamy caffeine rush, there’s even a superb rum version too. Egg coffee with rum, truly a drink of the gods.

Despite the surging popularity of Café Giang’s brews throughout the 20th century, business was not always smooth. Any crash course in Vietnam’s turbulent history shows why. From France’s colonization leading to the First Indochina War (1946-1954) through to the infamous Vietnam War (known as the American War), conditions were rarely ideal for a humble café to operate.

Giang (right) and his family in front of the café when it first opened in Cau Go street. Dao was just a little boy (2nd from left).

Yet with so many years passed, Dao looks back on the turmoil with, well, not quite fondness, but good humor at least. And he relishes talking about the cat-and-mouse game they had to play with authorities, not to mention avoiding the ever falling bombs. “It was like guerrilla warfare, you know,” Dao chuckles. “We kept opening and then closing. If it felt like the authorities weren’t in support, we’d hit pause on our café to align with the wartime’s priorities. Unlike now, cafés were a rare sight back in those days, but we survived it all.”

“Some have even say, ‘if you travel to Hanoi and never try the egg coffee, have you even been there at all?'”

Naturally, coffee is Dao’s great obsession and he talks about it at length, going into the details of the technique to make it, where to source it, and what makes a good cup. The beverage has been an inspiration to all those close to him.

A corner on the first floor, donned with pictures of the family on the wall.

“This little beverage has nourished and fostered my entire extended family,” he says. “It’s my only job now, day after day, but it has never once bored me.”

When asked the secret as to what has given his drink such an excellent reputation, Dao insists it is all about the quality and the fact he used a mix blend of unique beans. “I use Liberia for its richness, Arabica for its fragrance, Robusta for its intensity. They have distinct profiles.” To coffee aficionados like Dao, the differences are obvious and just jump out. To laymen likeus, it just tastes like superb coffee. But Dao is animated and wants to talk egg coffee again and the its effect on all those who try it. He claims it has powers to charm pretty much everyone and anyone on the planet, even the choosiest of coffee drinkers.

“I’ve had customers, both local and from abroad, come in and say this is the best drink they’ve ever had. Some have even say, ‘if you travel to Hanoi and never try the egg coffee, have you even been there at all?” he says beaming. “When I first heard that, it stopped me dead in my tracks. There is something in the quality of the drink, I suppose, to make them say such a thing.”

Aside from coffee, of which Dao can seemingly talk about for eternity, the city of Hanoi is his second great love, and he is quick to tell us that he is a “child of Hanoi,” and has resided here his whole life. He couldn’t conceive of living anywhere else. After all, he is part of the city’s history. Indeed, many of the best stories in the city are not to be heard but tasted.

For as long as coffee has reigned supreme in the capital, Dao and Café Giang have been along for the ride, witnessing the city’s ups and downs over a warming cup of the black stuff, with rum, egg or without. It’s already been around 75 years, and we wouldn’t bet against it being here 75 more.

Wedged between shops, Café Giang’s quaint entrance lead to a surprisingly spacious indoor area.

Cafe Giang
8 a.m.-10 p.m.
39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
http://cafegiang.vn/


“People of Hanoi” explores intimate stories and lives behind the bustle and hustle of the capital city.

Related Topics:

94 Comments

  1. https://kallumefpa973708.blogspothub.com/

    June 1, 2026 at 3:32 am

    References:

    Cinema casino bagnols sur ceze https://kallumefpa973708.blogspothub.com/

    Reply

  3. doodleordie.com

    June 1, 2026 at 6:14 am

    References:

    Island casino doodleordie.com

    Reply

  5. http://uchkombinat.com.ua/user/packetjet36/

    June 1, 2026 at 9:06 am

    References:

    Casino magic neuquen http://uchkombinat.com.ua/user/packetjet36/

    Reply

  6. pad.stuve.de

    June 4, 2026 at 3:49 am

    References:

    Chch casino pad.stuve.de

    Reply

  8. okprint.kz

    June 4, 2026 at 8:02 am

    References:

    Caesars palace las vegas okprint.kz

    Reply

  9. http://adrestyt.ru/

    June 4, 2026 at 8:58 am

    References:

    Sands casino bethlehem pa http://adrestyt.ru/

    Reply

  11. greecestudies.site

    June 4, 2026 at 2:21 pm

    References:

    Couple spa singapore greecestudies.site

    Reply

  13. nfccardmaker.com

    July 10, 2026 at 6:19 pm

    References:

    KingMaker Casino 5 Euro Einzahlung Bonus nfccardmaker.com

    Reply

  14. searl.co

    July 10, 2026 at 8:11 pm

    References:

    Kingmaker Casino Erfahrungen searl.co

    Reply

  15. https://unim.ma/giselleweigel1

    July 10, 2026 at 8:48 pm

    References:

    KingMaker Casino 200% Einzahlungsbonus https://unim.ma/giselleweigel1

    Reply

  23. http://forum.zidoo.tv

    July 12, 2026 at 9:56 am

    References:

    Legiano Casino Auszahlung http://forum.zidoo.tv

    Reply

  24. images.google.ps

    July 12, 2026 at 10:29 am

    References:

    Legiano Casino seriös images.google.ps

    Reply

  25. http://image.google.gm

    July 12, 2026 at 11:47 am

    References:

    Kingmaker Casino kein Einzahlungsbonus http://image.google.gm

    Reply

  26. http://runigma.com.ua

    July 12, 2026 at 12:26 pm

    References:

    Kingmaker casino google pay einzahlen http://runigma.com.ua

    Reply

  27. wiki.opencellid.org

    July 12, 2026 at 12:55 pm

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Einzahlung mit Revolut wiki.opencellid.org

    Reply

  28. forum.corvusbelli.com

    July 12, 2026 at 1:22 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Anmelden forum.corvusbelli.com

    Reply

  31. wiki.neverlands.ru

    July 13, 2026 at 6:45 am

    References:

    Monro Casino Aktionscode wiki.neverlands.ru

    Reply

  33. 80addfa2cbibes.рф

    July 13, 2026 at 7:16 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino freispiele 80addfa2cbibes.рф

    Reply

  34. https://www.dasoertliche.de/

    July 13, 2026 at 9:20 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino kundenbewertungen https://www.dasoertliche.de/

    Reply

  35. https://js.11467.com/

    July 13, 2026 at 9:52 pm

    References:

    Hit’n’spin casino 50 free spins https://js.11467.com/

    Reply

  37. oluchi.yn.lt

    July 15, 2026 at 5:40 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Bonus ohne Umsatzbedingungen oluchi.yn.lt

    Reply

  38. coolbuddy.com

    July 15, 2026 at 9:45 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Erfahrungen coolbuddy.com

    Reply

  39. forum.home.pl

    July 15, 2026 at 10:45 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Paysafecard forum.home.pl

    Reply

  43. cse.google.cm

    July 17, 2026 at 8:39 am

    References:

    Hitnspin casino spielautomaten cse.google.cm

    Reply

  44. cse.google.bf

    July 17, 2026 at 1:26 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino mit echtgeld cse.google.bf

    Reply

  45. https://git.sortug.com

    July 17, 2026 at 9:29 pm

    References:

    Australia online pokies payid https://git.sortug.com

    Reply

  46. https://wazifaha.net

    July 17, 2026 at 9:47 pm

    References:

    Online pokies with payid australia real money https://wazifaha.net

    Reply

  47. https://efreemate.com/@tobiasmju1473

    July 18, 2026 at 9:20 am

    References:

    Pokies net australia payid withdrawal https://efreemate.com/@tobiasmju1473

    Reply

  48. https://spechrom.com/

    July 18, 2026 at 10:13 am

    References:

    Payid pokies list https://spechrom.com/

    Reply

  50. ribalkaforum.com

    July 19, 2026 at 5:26 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Login https://www.ribalkaforum.com/proxy.php?link=https://k1t.kr/maximobuddicom

    Reply

  51. http://www.google.co.kr/

    July 19, 2026 at 5:35 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Zahlungsmethoden http://www.google.co.kr/url?q=https://link.secret.kg/patsyneely6857

    Reply

  54. csgotraders.net

    July 19, 2026 at 5:52 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Erfahrungen https://csgotraders.net/linkfilter/?url=https://jprod.dev/bsrjuli5335928

    Reply

  59. lynx.astroempires.com

    July 19, 2026 at 6:16 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Treueprogramm https://lynx.astroempires.com/redirect.aspx?https://lynkmu.id/jestinestr

    Reply

  66. http://maps.google.as

    July 19, 2026 at 6:45 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino 100 Freispiele http://maps.google.as/url?q=https://tf4link.online/angelinefrx25

    Reply

  68. http://image.google.com.cy/

    July 19, 2026 at 6:55 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Paysafecard http://image.google.com.cy/url?q=https://de2wa.com/cary7010338842

    Reply

  69. maps.google.com.sg

    July 19, 2026 at 6:56 am

    References:

    Lollybet Gutscheincode https://maps.google.com.sg/url?q=https://icu.re/isidromonsoor1

    Reply

  70. google.com.ai

    July 19, 2026 at 7:01 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino No Deposit http://www.google.com.ai/url?q=https://sysurl.online/lonmace4462046

    Reply

  72. clients1.google.co.nz

    July 19, 2026 at 1:32 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Verifizierung http://clients1.google.co.nz/url?q=https://sosi.al/allietipping9

    Reply

  73. http://maps.google.gl

    July 19, 2026 at 1:59 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Bonus ohne Einzahlung http://maps.google.gl/url?q=https://url79.com/thaliaupchurch

    Reply

  74. veloforum.net

    July 19, 2026 at 2:01 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Verifizierung http://veloforum.net/proxy.php?link=https://de2wa.com/stephanhallock

    Reply

  77. www.google.com.pe

    July 19, 2026 at 2:33 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino No Deposit http://www.google.com.pe/url?sa=t&url=https://degreecritical.com/cathleenemma0

    Reply

  78. http://golfwiki.ru/

    July 19, 2026 at 2:41 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Kundenservice http://golfwiki.ru/api.php?action=https://sellioiq.click/barneymelo

    Reply

  83. https://wiki.zr.ru

    July 20, 2026 at 11:09 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Review https://wiki.zr.ru/api.php?action=https://bittyshort.com/ibdcandelaria

    Reply

  85. cgi.2chan.net

    July 20, 2026 at 11:52 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Bewertung https://cgi.2chan.net/bin/jump.php?https://linkee.click/hildegardether

    Reply

  88. vt.obninsk.ru

    July 21, 2026 at 12:20 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Blackjack http://vt.obninsk.ru/forum/go.php?https://shortus.xyz/chantecoll

    Reply

  92. www.google.mn

    July 21, 2026 at 1:26 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Bonus http://www.google.mn/url?q=https://linktraffic.site/starlanieves68

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

Exit mobile version