When people think of Vietnamese coffee, they usually picture bold cà phê sữa đá or indulgent egg coffee. In central Vietnam there’s another cult-favorite worth hunting down — salted coffee (cà phê muối). Ours at Roly Poly is smooth, lightly sweet, and crowned with a cloud of house-made salted cream that balances the depth of robusta beans. We brew it the traditional way with authentic Vietnamese phin coffee and finish it with a clean, modern twist.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick pick-me-up or pairing it with fresh spring rolls, this drink delivers café comfort without heaviness — perfect for Da Nang’s warm, beachy rhythm.
What Is Salted Coffee?
Born in Huế and beloved across the coast, salted coffee starts with a base of strong phin-brewed Vietnamese coffee — typically robusta for its chocolatey bitterness and big aroma. On top goes a pillowy salted cream, whipped to a pourable texture that floats above the coffee. The first sip is layered: roasty, creamy, and gently saline. Stir a little and it turns velvety; stir a lot and you get a balanced, milk-shake-smooth drink that still tastes like real coffee.
Why Salt Works with Vietnamese Coffee
A pinch of salt does more than add salinity — it softens bitterness, rounds out acidity, and heightens sweetness without extra sugar. With robusta’s bold profile, that tiny savory note brings balance. The result feels indulgent but not cloying, and it stays refreshing over ice. It’s the same reason a sprinkle of salt makes chocolate pop: contrast creates clarity.
Our Signature Method
We lean into clarity and freshness. Each cup starts with a slow phin drip over ice for a clean, concentrated brew. The cream is whisked to order with a precise salt ratio so it’s fluffy, not heavy. We keep sweetness lower than many versions — enough to be silky and satisfying while letting the coffee shine. The final pour gives you distinct layers you can admire first and then customize with a stir to your liking.
How to Drink It
- Sip the layers: Taste the salted cream alone, then the coffee — notice how they meet.
- Stir to preference: One or two gentle turns for contrast; a full stir for a unified, velvety sip.
- Keep it cold: Our ice-first build keeps flavor steady from first to last sip.
Perfect Pairings with Fresh Spring Rolls
- Garlic Prawn + Nước Chấm: Bright citrus and chili meet creamy coffee for a sweet-savory contrast.
- Tofu, Mushroom & Avocado + Sesame: Nutty sauce and herb-forward rolls echo the drink’s toasty notes.
- Smoked Goose + Sesame: Smoky depth loves the caramel-leaning finish of salted cream.
Customize Your Cup
We’re happy to adjust the balance for you. Prefer it a touch sweeter? We’ll nudge up the condensed-milk base. Want more coffee bite? Ask us to lighten the stir so the phin brew comes through stronger. Sensitive to salt? We’ll dial the cream to “soft-salty” — just enough to soften bitterness without obvious salinity.
Why Try It in Da Nang
Salted coffee fits Da Nang’s coastal pace: cool, comforting, and easy to sip after the beach. Our café sits in the An Thuong neighborhood, minutes from My Khe Beach, with breezy seating and take-away friendly cups. It’s an ideal companion to a spring-roll lunch, a mid-afternoon reset, or a sunset walk down the waterfront.
When to Visit
We’re open Monday to Saturday, 10:00–20:00 (closed Sunday). Late morning and early afternoon are the most relaxed; evenings bring a cheerful post-beach crowd. In a hurry? Order to-go — the layered build travels well and stays balanced over ice.
Bottom Line
Salted coffee takes everything we love about Vietnamese phin — intensity, aroma, character — and wraps it in a light, silky cream that’s more nuanced than sweet. Try our signature version with a set of fresh rolls and taste how savory-meets-sweet can be downright refreshing.
Ready to sip? Browse the coffee & matcha, pair it with our spring rolls, or read more on dipping sauces and how to eat gỏi cuốn like a local. See you soon in An Thuong!
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