Hanoi’s egg coffee gains international fame, enjoyed by celebrities like Apple CEO Tim Cook, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, and singer John Legend.
Hanoi’s famous egg coffee has captivated the palates of international celebrities and global icons, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Grammy-winning artist John Legend.
On April 15, 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook enjoyed a cup of egg coffee in Hanoi, accompanied by Vietnamese singer My Linh and her daughter, My Anh. Cook praised the unique blend after just a few sips, sharing his experience on social media: "Xin chao (Hello), Vietnam! Thank you to the very talented musicians My Linh and My Anh for such a warm welcome. And I loved the egg coffee!" His egg coffee was prepared at Madame Hien Restaurant by Phan Le, its manager, adding a personal touch to his experience.
Egg coffee, a Hanoi staple, originated in the 1940s during a time of milk shortages. Crafted from egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar, and butter, the mixture is whipped into a creamy consistency and served atop a cup of hot coffee. Patrons are encouraged to savor the foam with a teaspoon before sipping the coffee beneath. This unique combination has earned it a place in Vietnam’s cultural and culinary history.
Tim Cook is not the only high-profile figure to fall in love with Hanoi’s egg coffee. In June 2023, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao visited the iconic Giang Coffee—the birthplace of egg coffee—to enjoy a cup. With over 70 years of history, Giang Coffee serves roughly 1,500 cups daily, attracting a large number of international tourists.
In May 2022, Miss Indonesia Pricilia Carla Yules also stopped by Giang Coffee to experience this local delicacy. In September 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited All Day Coffee in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District, choosing egg coffee during his meeting with Vietnam's Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and other politicians.
Even Grammy-winning artist John Legend sampled egg coffee during his first visit to Hanoi in 2022. Legend enjoyed his coffee at Dinh Coffee, an establishment on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, which served him a cup adorned with the iconic Turtle Tower and his initials. The singer, known for his love of culture and travel, shared his experience of Hanoi’s famous sites, including the Hanoi Opera House and Quan Thanh Temple.
Egg coffee’s international fame began gaining momentum about a decade ago. During the 2019 U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi, 3,000 cups of egg coffee were served to journalists at the International Press Center, further showcasing the drink’s unique charm. In 2014, Buzzfeed listed egg coffee as one of the top coffee-based drinks to try while traveling. Lonely Planet’s reporter Elisabeth Rosen also recommended the beverage to international tourists visiting Vietnam.
With a history spanning nearly a century, egg coffee has transformed from a local specialty into a global sensation, praised for its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavor. In 2023, the Michelin Guide named egg coffee a “Hanoi coffee masterpiece,” ranking it among the top six ways to enjoy coffee in Vietnam.
What started as a humble solution during wartime has become one of Vietnam’s most celebrated beverages, embraced by celebrities and tourists alike, further solidifying its place in the country’s cultural heritage.
