Egg coffee isn’t the kind of drink you rush. It’s warm, quiet, and comforting in a way that feels almost personal. At first glance, it looks simple — a layer of creamy foam resting on a small cup of strong coffee — but the experience goes deeper. It’s in the smell of freshly brewed espresso, the soft texture of egg cream, and the slow moment before your first sip.
In this Egg Coffee review, we take a closer look at what makes this unique drink stay in people’s minds — from taste and texture to how places like Tonkin Coffee bring their own thoughtful twist to a classic.
A quiet kind of coffee – More than a trend
Vietnamese egg coffee didn’t start out as something fancy or symbolic. It began as a simple idea: when milk was scarce in the 1940s, someone decided to whip egg yolks with sugar and blend it with hot coffee. What was meant to replace milk turned into a completely new experience—rich, smooth, and unexpectedly soothing. It’s not dramatic or ceremonial. It’s just calm, creamy, and warm.
A simple recipe with a deep flavor
The core of egg coffee is quite humble: egg yolks, sugar, and strong Vietnamese coffee. But a good cup depends on how these ingredients are treated. If the egg is too strong, it tastes heavy. If the coffee is too light, it gets lost. When both are balanced, you get something comforting, gentle, and slow.
The balance of cream and coffee
The top layer is soft, like melted custard. Underneath is a bold shot of coffee, usually robusta. You’re meant to scoop, swirl, or sip them together. It’s not a drink you rush. It makes you stop and enjoy the warmth in your hands, the texture on your tongue, and the slight bitterness that keeps everything from being too sweet.
Tonkin coffee – where craft meets comfort
In Ho Chi Minh City, Tonkin Coffee has become one of the names people mention when talking about egg coffee. Not because it’s luxurious or fancy, but because it feels thoughtful. Everything is done with care but never shouted out loud.
Fresh egg cream made daily
At Tonkin, the egg cream isn’t something pre-made or stored. It’s freshly whipped every day. The yolks are carefully separated, handled at the right temperature, and blended slowly until they turn into a smooth, airy cream. There’s no strong eggy smell because the ingredients are fresh and treated properly. The texture is thick but not heavy, sweet but not sugary.
Coffee first, always
Even though egg cream is the star for many customers, Tonkin believes coffee should be the foundation. Without a strong, clean coffee flavor, the cream wouldn’t stand out.
That’s why the espresso is always extracted properly—hot enough to bring out the aroma, but never burnt. It’s slightly bitter, rich, and stays warm beneath the creamy layer.
The story behind 15ml of espresso
Each cup of egg coffee at Tonkin uses about 15ml of espresso made from high-quality robusta beans. Behind that number is a quiet story of how coffee farming has changed—farmers shifting to better cultivation methods, improving soil, investing time in harvesting only ripe cherries. The result is a cup that feels grounded, respectful to those who grew the beans, and honest in flavor.
So, what does it really taste like?
People often ask what does egg coffee taste like, and the answer usually depends on where you first tried it. But at Tonkin, it feels like this:
The first sip
Your spoon sinks softly into the cream. It’s warm, velvety, with hints of vanilla and caramel. Then you hit the coffee layer—bold and slightly nutty. The contrast is gentle, not shocking. It’s like two voices in harmony.
Layered texture and familiar warmth
The texture is what surprises most people. It’s almost like a light dessert, but not quite. The warmth from the coffee rises into the cream, making it silky rather than cold or dense. It’s the kind of drink you want to hold for a bit before tasting.
The swirl moment
Some people mix the layers completely. Others just tilt the cup slowly, letting coffee meet cream halfway. This moment is often captured in egg coffee photos, showing the spiral of dark and gold blending together.
Why people return to Tonkin
Tonkin Specialty Coffee isn’t quiet because it’s trying to be minimal. It’s quiet because it doesn’t force the experience. You walk in, choose a seat, hear soft background music, and watch baristas working behind the counter—no rush, no exaggerated gestures.
There are three locations in District 1, each with the same simple setup: warm lighting, wooden tables, and a calm atmosphere. The kind of place you can stay alone with your thoughts or talk with friends for hours.
Customers often mention in Tonkin Specialty Coffee reviews that what keeps them coming back isn’t just the drink but the feeling—steady, relaxed, and slightly nostalgic. You’re never told how to drink it. You’re just given a warm cup, a spoon, and the freedom to enjoy it your way.
A cup meant to be enjoyed slowly
Egg coffee isn’t a drink you grab on the go. It’s something you sit with. It doesn’t require deep knowledge about coffee, nor does it ask you to analyze every flavor note. You just sit, hold the cup, taste, and let the moment be quiet.
Whether you’re curious about egg coffee, searching for a place that makes it with care, or wondering if it’s really worth the attention—it’s best understood not through words, but through a slow, warm sip.
Visit Tonkin Coffee Today!
Tonkin Specialty Coffee
- Add: 91 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 086 799 0125
Tonkin Garden Cafe
- Add: 135/50 Tran Hung Dao St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 087 992 4691
Tonkin Egg Coffee
- Add: 1 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Hotline: 0815 841 909
Nestled in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Tonkin Specialty Coffee is one of the best coffee shops to experience authentic Vietnamese flavors. From the iconic egg coffee and refreshing coconut coffee to bold Vietnamese coffee and the unique salt coffee, every sip is a journey into tradition. For non-coffee lovers, our Vietnamese matcha offers a gentle alternative. Pair your drink with a freshly baked banh mi or a buttery croissant, and savor the true taste of Vietnam in a setting inspired by folk culture and Indochine charm.