🍼☕ Bạc Xỉu – Vietnam’s Gentle Coffee for Sweet Mornings
If Vietnamese coffee feels too strong for you, don’t worry — Bạc Xỉu is here to ease you in.
Sweet, creamy, and coffee-kissed, this beloved Saigon-style drink is perfect for those who want a milder introduction to Vietnam’s bold coffee culture.
💡 What is Bạc Xỉu?
Bạc Xỉu (pronounced “bahk see-ew”) is short for “Bạc Tẩy Xỉu Phé”, a Cantonese phrase once used in Saigon cafés. It literally means “a white glass with a little coffee,” which perfectly describes the drink:
A glass full of hot or iced condensed milk and milk, with just a splash of coffee on top.
Think of it as the reverse of cà phê sữa đá — where coffee dominates. In Bạc Xỉu, milk is the star, and coffee plays a subtle supporting role.
🧋 How to Make Bạc Xỉu at Home
✨ Ingredients:
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10–15g Vietnamese ground coffee (or 1 shot espresso)
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2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
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100–150ml warm or steamed milk (dairy or plant-based)
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Ice (if making iced version)
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Phin filter (or espresso machine)
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Heatproof glass or cup
🔧 Instructions:
☕ Hot Bạc Xỉu:
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Brew the coffee
Use a phin filter or espresso machine to brew a small amount of strong coffee (~30ml). -
Heat the milk
Warm or steam 100–150ml of milk. -
Assemble the drink
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Add condensed milk to your glass.
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Pour in the warm milk and stir.
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Gently pour in the brewed coffee over the top.
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Result: a layered, slightly coffee-tinted milk drink that’s comforting and aromatic.
❄️ Iced Bạc Xỉu:
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Same as above, but use cold milk and pour everything over a tall glass filled with ice.
🧡 Who Is Bạc Xỉu For?
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Those who find traditional Vietnamese coffee too strong
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Sweet drink lovers
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Kids in Vietnam often drink it (with little or no coffee)
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Great intro for first-timers to Vietnamese café culture
🇻🇳 A Childhood Favorite, Grown-Up Approved
Bạc Xỉu carries nostalgia, comfort, and café charm in every glass. It’s milky, dreamy, and just enough coffee to feel grown-up.
Perfect for slow mornings, sweet breaks, or as a dessert drink after dinner.