Nut milk coffee and condensed milk coffee: what actually differs

Where the difference starts

Condensed milk coffee is familiar to almost every Vietnamese: a phin dripping slowly onto a layer of sweetened condensed milk made from cow's milk. The nut milk coffee at Banh Mi XANH differs from the first ingredient onwards. The milk is made from nuts rather than dairy, and both the taste and the texture follow from that.

Why the shop makes it this way

Banh Mi XANH sells vegan banh mi first and foremost, so the drinks use plant ingredients too. Anyone eating plant-based can order a whole meal here without having to check with the counter whether there is dairy in the glass.

How they taste side by side

Condensed milk coffee is sweet, rich and thick — a taste most Vietnamese grew up with. Nut milk coffee is lighter, less insistently sweet, carries a faint nuttiness, and finishes cleaner. Anyone who has drunk the condensed milk version for years may find the first nut milk coffee a little thin; after a few it reads as normal.

The prices differ too: Black Coffee 35,000d, Nut Milk Coffee 45,000d. The gap comes from the nut milk being made in-house rather than poured from an industrial carton.

On nutrition, in plain terms

Nut-based milks generally carry less saturated fat than animal milk — general information, not a medical claim. Anyone on a particular diet or managing a condition should ask a doctor or dietitian; a coffee shop is no substitute for that.

What to drink with which banh mi

Each loaf suits a different glass, depending on how strong the filling is.

• Đậu Hũ Cay (56,000d) with Nut Milk Coffee (45,000d) — the light creaminess takes the edge off the chilli.
• Thập Cẩm (59,000d) with Jasmine Lemon Tea (36,000d) in the morning, easy on an empty stomach.
• Bơ Đường (28,000d) with Brown Sugar Nut Milk Bubble Tea (48,000d) for a sweet afternoon.
• Thượng Hạng Premium (75,000d, big size) is filling, so Black Coffee (35,000d) keeps you alert and keeps it from feeling heavy.

When to drink it

Early morning

Nut milk coffee wakes you without being harsh on an empty stomach — right for someone just up and not yet eaten.

Midday and afternoon

After a full lunch, Nut Milk Bubble Tea (45,000d) or Jasmine Lemon Tea sits better than coffee. Chewing the pearls slowly also stretches the break out and keeps the afternoon slump at bay.

Night shifts

The shops are open 24 hours, so there is always a drink. Black or nut milk coffee, whichever you prefer — there is no rule about it.

Ordering

To eat in or have it delivered, call 0923.183.183. The five shops are at 38 Lê Thị Riêng, 15B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, 2B Trần Hưng Đạo and 148B Đề Thám in District 1, and 210 Bùi Văn Ba in District 7. Orders from 500,000d within 5km are delivered free, and someone takes orders at any hour.

Quick questions

Is there dairy in the nut milk coffee?

No. The milk is made from nuts, with no cow's milk or condensed milk — that is the basic difference from the traditional version.

Is it sweeter or less sweet than condensed milk coffee?

Less sweet, and lighter. The creaminess is gentler and the finish cleaner.

What does a nut milk coffee cost?

45,000d a glass. Plain black coffee is 35,000d.

Can vegans drink the Brown Sugar Nut Milk Bubble Tea?

Yes. Both the nut milk and the pearls are made with plant ingredients, with nothing animal-derived.

Can I order drinks without food?

Yes. Call 0923.183.183; orders from 500,000d within 5km are delivered free.

Will a nut milk coffee in the evening keep me awake?

It still contains caffeine, since it is brewed from real coffee. If you are sensitive to caffeine, drink it earlier rather than close to bedtime.