Hanoi: Experience 24K gold-plated egg coffee that delights Western guests

Hanoi has long been famous for its egg coffee. Now, this drink has been upgraded with a 24K gold-plated version, bringing a new, luxurious and sophisticated experience.

Gold-plated egg coffee - a modern variation of traditional Hanoi egg coffee (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam ).

Born in a difficult time for the country

Egg coffee, a specialty dish associated with Hanoi, was invented by Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, a Vietnamese chef who worked at the Metropole Hotel - now Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi - a recommended address in the Michelin Selected list.

This drink has a history of more than 80 years, first known and loved since 1946.

In the 1940s, when milk was scarce in Vietnam, baristas were forced to create new recipes to meet customer demand. Responding to the French demand for a drink that was both delicious and nutritious, Mr. Giang added eggs to the coffee, whipping the yolks into a smooth, soft cream that blended perfectly with the rich coffee flavor.

In the 1960s, Mr. Giang opened a coffee shop named after himself in the Old Quarter, and egg coffee quickly became a hit throughout Hanoi.

Soon after, many other cafes also served this drink, making egg coffee a unique culinary symbol of the capital, the only one in the world . Not only a drink, egg coffee also preserves the story of creativity and sophistication in Vietnamese cuisine, contributing to bringing this unique flavor to domestic and foreign tourists.

The gilded space at F29 brings an impressive visual experience to visitors (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam).

Nowadays, the egg coffee experience in Hanoi is even more special with the gold-plated egg coffee version, served at F29 restaurant, first floor of Dolce by Wyndham Hotel - Hanoi Golden Lake.

A cup of gold-plated egg coffee costs 150,000 VND, presented in a set of white porcelain cups with 24K gold rim, with matching plate and spoon, is both a drink and a work of art, elevating the enjoyment experience.

The idea of upgrading traditional egg coffee into a unique, luxurious drink at a high-class hotel, with the addition of 24K gold, came from the hotel's President.

To make the gold-plated egg coffee, the hotel invited Ms. Ta Phuong Anh, a relative of Mr. Giang - the "father" of Hanoi egg coffee - to directly process and train the staff.

The egg cream layer is decorated with Hanoi motifs and gilded with 24K gold, creating a special highlight (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam).

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter , Ms. Phuong Anh said: "Egg coffee at F29 is not just a drink, but also a work of art, must ensure the correct recipe and traditional flavor, and at the same time enhance the experience with a layer of 24K gold."

Thanks to the knowledge and experience of the family, the gold-plated egg coffee at the shop both preserves the traditional essence and brings a modern, luxurious experience to diners.

The process of making gold-plated egg coffee requires meticulousness and ingenuity from the craftsman. According to Ms. Phuong Anh, the main ingredients include chicken eggs, Vietnamese coffee combined with Italian coffee to create a unique flavor, suitable for the rich taste of egg yolks. Eggs are beaten with sugar, creating a smooth, soft foam layer, ensuring no fishy smell, blending perfectly with the coffee.

Before serving, small gold leaves are sprinkled on top of the cream, creating both luxury and ensuring food safety.

Ms. Ta Phuong Anh said that the process of making gold-plated egg coffee requires meticulousness and skill in each step (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam).

“The gold we use is imported 24K gold, carefully preserved in a glass jar, away from moisture, retaining light and lightness, ensuring safety for health, while also enhancing the aesthetics of the drink.

A cup of gold-plated egg coffee takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, so the drink is not pre-made. This waiting time is part of the experience, helping customers feel the intricacy and value of the coffee,” said Ms. Phuong Anh.

She also recommends that customers enjoy the coffee 2-3 minutes after brewing, while it is still hot, to fully experience the rich, aromatic flavor and the golden layer.

From familiar drinks to luxurious experiences

Not only does it taste good, gold-plated egg coffee also has artistic value. The white ceramic cup is gold-plated around the rim and handle, accompanied by a matching plate and spoon, creating overall harmony.

Some cups are also decorated with motifs inspired by Hanoi such as the Great Church and Turtle Tower, creating a unique highlight.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (in black shirt), restaurant manager, introduces to diners the gold-plated egg coffee, helping them fully experience the unique flavor of this drink (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam).

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter , Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, restaurant manager, said that gold-plated egg coffee is one of the first dishes to be added to the menu. This is also a typical dish, next to gold-plated beef, always receiving much love from diners.

“8 out of 10 people who come to the shop order gold-plated egg coffee,” said Ms. Thuy.

Not only is the drink associated with Hanoi, gold-plated egg coffee also makes a strong impression on many international tourists. Steven, a tourist from Australia, said he had heard about egg coffee and decided to try it on this trip.

Tourist Steven, a tourist from Australia, enjoys gold-plated egg coffee (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam).

Before coming to the restaurant, Steven had tried egg coffee in Hanoi's Old Quarter. However, the gold-plated version surprised him with its presentation and different taste, especially the soft, warm egg cream layer, delicately blending the rich and bitter flavors.

“I’ve tried egg coffee in the old town, but here the egg layer is smoother, the taste is milder and the golden layer on top is really beautiful. It feels more like enjoying a dessert than drinking coffee. The way it is prepared and decorated shows the sophistication of Vietnamese culinary culture ,” Steven said.

For Vietnamese people, the experience of gold-plated egg coffee also brings special emotions. Ha Linh, a young customer, shared that she was attracted at first sight by the thin layer of gold and the Turtle Tower decoration on the surface of the cup.

Ha Linh (left) and her friends enjoy gold-plated egg coffee (Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam).

She believes that the coffee flavor is both familiar and new, retaining the inherent richness of Vietnamese coffee but is light, easy to drink and feels more luxurious.

“I really like the way they decorate it, the gold is sprinkled evenly and shaped very artistically. The coffee is not too strong, the egg is rich but light, not fishy at all. Every sip makes me feel like I am enjoying a carefully prepared drink, not just regular coffee,” Linh commented.

Ha Linh also said that although the price of drinks is a bit higher than other shops, it is completely worth it thanks to the unique flavor and luxurious, sophisticated space.

This drink is considered a worthy choice for those who want to enjoy traditional flavors in a modern and new style.

Address: B7 Giang Vo, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi

Opening hours: 6:30 am - 10:30 pm

Reference price: 150,000 VND

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/ha-noi-trai-nghiem-ca-phe-trung-dat-vang-24k-khien-khach-tay-thich-thu-20251006220948245.htm