How to Brew Vietnamese-Style Drip Coffee with a Phin Filter

If you’ve ever ordered coffee in Vietnam, you’ve likely been handed a small glass of thick, sweet, strong black coffee with a layer of creamy condensed milk settled at the bottom. That’s Vietnamese-style drip coffee—a rich, bold brew made with dark-roasted beans, brewed slowly through a metal drip filter called a phin, and almost always served with sweetened condensed milk. But how exactly is it made, and can you recreate it at home?

The answer is yes—and it’s simpler than it looks. With just a Vietnamese phin filter, finely ground dark roast coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and hot water at around 90°C, you can brew a classic cup in under four minutes.

What Is Vietnamese Drip Coffee?

Vietnamese coffee is distinct for its use of dark roasted beans, a metal single-serve dripper (the phin), and the addition of sweetened condensed milk. It’s typically brewed strong and sweet, and often served over ice for a refreshing chill. The use of condensed milk—rather than fresh milk or cream—is virtually unique to Vietnam and gives the coffee its signature heavy, dessert-like body.

Why Use a Phin and Dark Roast?

The Vietnamese phin is a small metal drip brewer that works without paper filters, allowing more coffee oils and fine particles into the cup, contributing to body and intensity. It’s designed for slow, controlled dripping—usually taking around 3 to 4 minutes per brew. Pairing this with a deeply roasted coffee enhances the inherent sweetness of the condensed milk while balancing its intensity with bold, roasted flavors like chocolate, caramel, and toast.

How to Brew Vietnamese Coffee with a Phin: Step-by-Step

To make authentic Vietnamese drip coffee at home, follow these steps using the tools and ingredients listed:

• Vietnamese phin filter
• Sweetened condensed milk (commonly known as “”)
• Dark roasted coffee beans (preferably a deep roast with notes of chocolate and caramel)
• Coffee grinder (set to a fine setting)
• Coffee spoon or measuring scoop
• Hot water at approximately 90°C

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Prepare your tools: Take apart the phin filter and remove the press plate (also called the filter disc).
2. Add condensed milk: Pour a small amount of sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of your cup—adjust to taste, usually about 1 to 2 teaspoons.
3. Add coffee grounds: Grind your dark roast coffee beans to a fine consistency, similar to table salt. Add roughly 15 grams (about 2 level scoops with a standard coffee spoon) into the phin chamber.
4. Level and tamp: Use a spoon to gently level the coffee grounds, then place the press plate on top and screw it down firmly—but not excessively tight—to ensure even extraction.
5. Pre-wet the grounds (the bloom): Place the phin directly on your cup and pour just enough hot water (around 90°C) to saturate the coffee grounds without any dripping through. Let it sit for about 20 seconds to allow the coffee to “bloom.”
6. Brew with hot water: After the bloom, slowly pour in more hot water until the phin is full and water starts to slowly drip through. Do not overfill.
7. Wait for extraction: Let the coffee drip through the phin—this should take around 3 to 4 minutes in total. No need to stir; just let it brew.
8. Enjoy: Once the dripping stops, stir the brewed coffee with the condensed milk, and enjoy hot. For iced Vietnamese coffee, simply pour the brewed mixture over ice.

What Grind Size and Coffee Dose Should You Use?

Use a fine grind size, about the same as table salt or slightly finer. The dose is typically around 15 grams per brew, though the original instructions suggest roughly 2 level scoops with a common coffee spoon. Adjust based on your phin size and taste preference.

Can You Make It With Other Coffee Beans?

Yes—but for the most authentic Vietnamese flavor, use a dark roasted coffee with low acidity and prominent notes of chocolate, caramel, or toast. Light or medium roasts won’t provide the same body or balance with the condensed milk.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Vietnamese-Style Coffee

For an authentic Vietnamese coffee experience at home, try FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling—a deep-roasted single origin with strong chocolate, nut, and caramel notes and a thick, syrupy body. Alternatively, their Brazil Queen Manor offers balanced notes of hazelnut and cocoa, ideal for those who prefer a touch of fruitiness beneath the roast. Both are excellent choices for pairing with sweetened condensed milk. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.