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Trung Nguyen or Cafe Du Monde ground coffee, brewed through a simple stainless steel phin filter, is the easiest way to make proper Vietnamese coffee at home. Vietnamese coffee is typically a dark roast, brewed slowly through a small metal drip filter called a phin, often served over condensed milk.
The best Vietnamese coffee to buy in the UK
What to check on the label
- Grind size, since a phin needs a coarser grind than espresso but finer than a cafetiere.
- Filter material, stainless steel is more common and durable than the older aluminium style.
- Roast style, traditional Vietnamese coffee is often a dark, sometimes chicory-blended roast.
Phin filter vs cafetiere
| Type | Brew style | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Phin filter | Slow drip, concentrated | Traditional ca phe sua da |
| Cafetiere | Steeped, less concentrated | A quicker, milder cup |
Filter size and cup fit
Phin filters come in a few standard diameters, check that yours sits securely on top of the glass or cup you plan to use, since a mismatched size can be unstable or let coffee spill around the edges rather than drip through properly.
Pre-ground vs whole bean
Pre-ground Vietnamese coffee is convenient and consistent, while whole beans ground fresh just before brewing give a noticeably more aromatic cup, worth it if you already own a grinder set to a coarser setting suited to a phin.
Where to buy Vietnamese coffee in the UK
Vietnamese coffee and phin filters are best found through a Vietnamese or general Asian grocer, or online, rather than a mainstream UK supermarket.
Which aisle is Vietnamese coffee in?
Mainstream UK supermarkets do not stock Vietnamese coffee or phin filters specifically. Vietnamese grocers keep both together near other coffee and tea products.
Asian supermarkets
A Vietnamese grocer is the most reliable source, and usually stocks both the coffee and the filter together.
Buying it online
Online is a good option for both, and a stainless steel phin filter travels and posts well.
Stainless steel vs the older aluminium style
Ask whether a shop’s phin filters are stainless steel, the more modern and durable standard, or the older aluminium style, which is lighter but wears out faster, if you have a preference between the two.
How to store Vietnamese coffee
Keep ground coffee in an airtight container in the cupboard, away from light and heat.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special coffee for a phin filter?
A Vietnamese dark roast gives the most traditional result, though any coarser-ground coffee works in a phin.
How do I use a phin filter?
Add ground coffee, screw down the press disc, pour a little hot water to bloom, then top up and let it drip slowly, as in our guide to Vietnamese drip coffee.
Can I use regular coffee in a phin filter?
Yes, though a Vietnamese dark roast gives the most traditional flavour and body.
Is a stainless steel or aluminium phin filter better?
Stainless steel is more common now and more durable, aluminium filters are the older traditional style.
Shop this
- Phin coffee filter. The traditional filter for Vietnamese drip coffee.
