Vietnamese coffee vs Thai iced coffee

Vietnamese coffee is usually dark-roasted robusta dripped slowly through a metal phin filter, then mixed with sweetened condensed milk and ice. Thai iced coffee is typically brewed through a cloth filter, often from a coffee blend that may include roasted grains or seeds, then sweetened and topped with evaporated milk, condensed milk or both. Both are sweet, strong and served over ice, but they taste different.

Recipes vary a lot by family, café and country, so think of these as typical styles rather than strict rules.

The quick comparison

Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá)

• Brewing: metal phin filter, slow drip, one cup at a time
• Coffee: mostly robusta, dark roasted, sometimes roasted with butter
• Milk: sweetened condensed milk, mixed in
• Flavor: bold, bitter-chocolatey, thick and sweet

Thai iced coffee

• Brewing: a cloth filter bag, often called a "sock" filter, sometimes steeped or poured through in batches
• Coffee: traditional blends may include roasted grains or seeds such as corn, soybeans or sesame alongside coffee
• Milk: often sugar or condensed milk in the coffee, with evaporated milk or cream poured on top
• Flavor: roasty, sometimes nutty or toasty from the added grains, and often very sweet

What is "oliang"?

In Thailand, a well-known traditional iced black coffee is called oliang. It's strong, sweet and black, made from a traditional blend brewed through a cloth filter. Add milk and you have the creamy version most Americans picture as "Thai iced coffee". In some US Thai restaurants, the drink is flavored with spices such as cardamom, but that isn't universal.

Brewing: phin vs cloth filter

The phin and the cloth filter both make strong coffee, but in different ways:

• The phin brews a single, concentrated cup directly over your glass. It's slow, around four to five minutes, and lets more oils through because there's no paper.
• The cloth filter is often used for larger batches. Coffee grounds go in the cloth bag, hot water is poured through or the bag is steeped, and the result is poured over ice. The cloth catches fine sediment but still gives a full-bodied brew.

If you want to learn the phin method, see how to use a phin filter.

The milk makes a big difference

Vietnamese coffee relies almost entirely on sweetened condensed milk. The coffee and milk are stirred together before or after adding ice, giving a uniform caramel color.

Thai iced coffee often sweetens the coffee first, then floats evaporated milk or cream on top for a dramatic two-tone look. You stir it yourself. Evaporated milk is unsweetened and lighter, so the drink can taste creamier but less dense than the Vietnamese version.

For more on milk choices, see the best condensed milk for Vietnamese coffee.

Which is stronger?

Both can be very strong. Vietnamese coffee's robusta base means it's often high in caffeine. Thai blends that include grains may contain proportionally less coffee, which could mean somewhat less caffeine, but blends vary widely. If caffeine matters to you, see how much caffeine is in Vietnamese coffee.

Which is sweeter?

It depends on who makes it. Both styles are known for being sweet. Vietnamese coffee's sweetness comes from condensed milk, while Thai iced coffee often combines sugar or condensed milk with a top layer of milk. You can usually ask for less sugar at either kind of shop.

Which should you try?

Try Vietnamese coffee if:

• You like bold, dark, slightly bitter coffee
• You enjoy thick, sweet, dessert-like drinks
• You want to try the phin ritual

Try Thai iced coffee if:

• You like a lighter, creamier texture
• You're curious about toasty, grain-blended flavors
• You enjoy the look of milk swirling on top

Can you make them at home?

Yes. For Vietnamese style, you need a phin, dark-roast coffee and condensed milk; follow how to make Vietnamese iced coffee. For a Thai-style drink, brew strong dark coffee (a Thai coffee blend if you can find one), sweeten it, pour over ice and top with evaporated milk. A fine-mesh strainer lined with a clean cloth can stand in for a traditional cloth filter.

Allergen notes

Both drinks usually contain dairy. Thai blends with soybeans or sesame may matter for anyone with those allergies, so check the ingredients on the bag. Some Vietnamese coffees are roasted with butter.

Try them side by side once and you'll taste the difference in the first sip.