A guide to Hue’s best salted coffee shops

This unique beverage has been a signature drink in Hue for over a decade. It is made with a layer of condensed milk at the bottom and then topped with fresh yogurt and salt, creating a wonderful flavor that is a must to try.

Ca phe muoi – Salted Coffee

The traditional filter is used to make salted coffee. Photo courtesy of Ca phe muoi

This coffee shop, which opened 13 years ago, was the first one to introduce salted coffee to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. It has a spacious location on Nguyen Luong Bang Street, with indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor area has a cozy and dim ambiance, while the outdoor area is bright and breezy.

The salted coffee here is prepared with the traditional phin, or Vietnamese coffee filter. The glass contains condensed milk, fermented milk and salt at the bottom, and the coffee drips slowly from the filter on top. Once the coffee is fully filtered, customers can stir and sip. This salted coffee has a distinctive flavor that combines the sweetness and creaminess of condensed milk, the bitterness of coffee and the saltiness of salt.

Price: VND20,000-VND30,000 (85 cents-$1.28)

Opening times: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Locations: 10 Nguyen Luong Bang St., 142 Dang Thai Than St.

Nha 87 Coffee

The coffee shop offers a view of the street outside. Photo courtesy of Nha 87 Coffee

Nha 87 is famous for its large space where you can glance out the window and watch street life. The shop has a nostalgic design that evokes the past. Unlike Ca Phe Muoi, which uses a Vietnamese filter, the drinks at Nha 87 are made with a machine, resulting in a smoother taste.

Trung Tin, a local from Hue, said that he was drawn to the shop by its design when he walked by one day and decided to give it a try. He said that the salted coffee here is less sweet than other places, emphasizing the subtle bitterness of the coffee and the saltiness of the salt.

Price: VND20,000-VND30,000 (85 cents-$1.28)

Opening times: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Address: 87 Le Huan St.

Laph Coffee

The three layers of condensed milk, coffee and fresh yoghurt with salt are visible in the cup. Photo courtesy of Laph Coffee

Laph Coffee, with its open and airy space, is a popular spot for young people. The best time to visit is in the morning and evening, when the weather is pleasant.

Le Vinh, a regular customer, said that he and his friends like to hang out at the cafe. Laph Coffee uses a professional coffee machine to make coffee. The space is modern and artistic, with a neat layout.

Price: VND20,000-VND40,000

Opening times: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Address: 4 Truong Dinh St.

Tan cafe

This coffee shop has a retro vibe. Photo courtesy of Tan cafe

Tan cCfe is a coffee shop that features designs inspired by the subsidy era. The shop has an open space, with old-fashioned ceramic tiles, dark leather seats, and rough walls that create a nostalgic atmosphere.

The cafe attracts people of all ages and even tourists. With its quiet space, this is a perfect place to relax and enjoy this Hue specialty.

Tran Thi Ngoc Man, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, came to Tan Cafe during her trip to Hue in autumn 2022. She said she loved this salty drink from the first sip at the shop because of the blend of salty, sweet, and the bitter flavor that she could taste at once. She had tried salted coffee in other places in Ho Chi Minh City, but the taste was not as good as in Hue.

Price: VND30,000-VND50,000. ($1.28-$2.13)

Opening times: 6 a.m. – 10 plm.

Location 1: 14 Pham Hong Thai St.

Location 2: 25 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St.

Location 3: 86 Dinh Tien Hoang St.

Bali Coffee

The shop’s location attracts many customers. Photo courtesy of Bali Coffee

Bali Coffee has a large outdoor space, with two floors and a simple design.

Thang Vu, a customer who spent an afternoon at this shop in March, said that the salted coffee here has a strong coffee flavor. The amount of milk and salt is just enough to balance the original bitterness of the coffee.

A cup of coffee here is quite small, and so it’s ideal for drinking and enjoying slowly. The shop also offers a view of the Hue’s Imperial Citadel.

Price: VND20,000-VND30,000 (85 cents-$1.28)

Opening hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Address: 115 Le Huan St.