I was born in Vietnam, but don’t have memories of it. All I know about the details of the first four years of my life, I know only through the stories told to me by my parents, aunties, uncles and cousins. I’ve always felt a little as if I had missed out. To make up for it, as a little girl, I asked a lot of questions. I loved sitting in the car on the hour’s drive to Uptown for Vietnamese food, with my elbows perched on top of the sides of the front seats, my bottom on the very edge of the middle of the back seat, (seat belts weren’t a big deal back then from what I can remember) arms and fingers outstretched to reach the radio dial, and in-between changing stations and Dad’s singing of “Hey Jude”, I ask my parents questions about Vietnam. My favorite ones were about how they met. How long they dated. How Dad proposed to Mom. Come to think of it, I’ve never really gotten a straight answer. To this day, my Dad will respond, “Your Mom proposed to me”! They both proceed to burst out laughing, Dad’s face turning persimmon red, not being able to catch his breath, and Mom, giggling uncontrollably, giddy and teary-eyed. He is the only one who can make her laugh like that. I smile, glance to the right at my Mom, to the left at my Dad behind the wheel, and for an instant, catch a look at that undeniable twinkle in both their eyes, their faces etched with happiness; for those few moments, I can clearly and vividly see them as silly teenagers in Vietnam…and in love.
We reach the Vietnamese restaurant, and everyone’s in a good mood by now. Like clockwork, we all order the usual. Bún thịt nướng (Vietnamese grilled pork with vermicelli noodles) and chè ba màu (three-colored sweet bean dessert with coconut milk) for me. Phở đặc biệt for Mom and Dad. Like in most Asian families, little is said once the food arrives and the meal commences. Culinary concentration takes over. Every so often, Dad orders cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) to wash down his meal. I watch the mesmerizing slow drip of the filter, as pools of black gold begin to puddle above the thick, creamy base layer of sweetened condensed milk. I listen to him scrape every last precious drop of the blended goodness into the tallest glass of ice, and then to the clanking of an even longer spoon as it goes ’round and ’round. Even at such a young age, I notice when Dad takes his first sip, it’s as if his entire being changes from head to toe. As if he’s being transported back to another place and time. I’m allowed a sip or two of the iced coffee, and am reminded then, and still today, that although I can’t remember my Vietnam —it doesn’t matter, she is forever entwined with me and coursing through my veins.
MUSIC PAIRING: The Beatles, Hey Jude
LOVE LOVE LOVE the composition in these photos…well-told story :)
I am such an iced coffee fan.
I was just stalking your blog the other day wondering when you were going to post again. :] Vietnamese iced coffee is one of my favorite guilty pleasures.
I love every single thing about this post…you’re dripping coffee pics are amazing! I am a big fan of Thai Iced Coffee and this seems very similar? I can’t wait to make some!
You’ve outdone yourself again! I love the animation. It’s perfect. (And Vietnamese iced coffee.)
oh g. everything about this is good.
Lovely, lovely, lovely. I just bought some vintage ice cube trays from Etsy just like yours. We love the thick cubes they make.
This looks delicious! I love stories of childhood, memories shared, being able to picture that little child in the back seat. The animation is fabulous – such a fun surprise in the middle of a beautiful post~
Happy Sunday mon amie,
xx
What a gorgeous entry, and stunning photographs. Being able to imagine one’s parents so young & in love is a blessing; you’ve captured that feeling perfectly.
I’m moving to Hong Kong soon. And this post just made me SO excited about trips to Vietnam! Coffee never looked so glamourous.
The animation totally tripped my out. Beautiful as always!
This is absolutely stunning. The words, the stories, the photos all give such a beautiful, intimate portrait of your family and your roots.
This coffee brings me right back to me travels in Vietnam last year. There really is nothing quite like it. The caffeine and sugar hit me like a freight train! I remember the first time wondering if someone had slipped something else in there!
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing :)
awesome photos!!!!
Your photos are devine! Just beautiful!
Iced coffee and Hey Jude. That sounds like a perfect way to start a morning…
Magda
One of my favorite ways to drink coffee! Lovely pictures!
This post is really a work of art! Simply beautifully written! My son was born in Rome and I know he’ll have “memories” of that time even though we moved before he was old enough to remember it, through our stories and photos.
Your photos are really incredible. Lovely post-it makes me thirsty, too!
this is so sweet :)
We have a Vietnamese Bakery in St. Paul, MN. and they serve Vietnamese coffee there. It’s always a treat to go there.
Such a wonderful post. To me, this is what good food writing is about. Beautiful images, too.
Lovely story, thanks for sharing. This looks like the perfect coffee, and your photos are stunning!
wonderful wonderful post. beautiful (as always) images. thank you for sharing- your posts always add so much to my days. :)
what a delicious post! the photos….wow.
as much as i love talking about sweets, i love talking about childhood memories even more. looking at photos and hearing my parents tell stories from way back when. your writing above had me grinning with you. i could practically hear your parents’ giggling in my head – and the clanking of the ice cubes too. i love this post. and if i drank coffee, i’m sure this is how i would want it. ;) oh, and very cool brewing effect above.
Gorgeous photos. Love the post. Now if only I can find a way to make this at work and save me the $3 I spend at Starbucks every day…
vietnamese iced coffee is my favorite kind of iced coffee! when my husband and i honeymooned in vietnam a few months ago we would have several of these a day – i swear the condensed milk is addictive! thanks for reminding me about this yummy summer drink, ill have to make it again soon at home even though it isnt very summery in london right now!
a stunning post. i quite love vietnamese coffee. in college i had a filter set like this and bought special coffee online so i could have the chicory coffee!
O gosh i love this stuff, Cafe du Monde is… like crack!
The photos! Oh, I can’t get enough of the photos and the writing, G! Just so great. As for the coffee- I am not big on the stuff, but I have a feeling I may be a convert after a cup of this!
I love the story of your childhood you told here. You are such a talented writer, G! And the coffee sounds… well, just amazing! Your photos are gorgeous as always but the dripping coffee is a wonderful bonus! Now I have to go a fix myself a cup of coffee (it’s too cold for iced coffee in London)
Ngon qúa!! Although I’m not Vietnamese, I love love love the food & culture. What a wonderful story told about your parents. :)
as you know, i have a soft spot for these kinds of stories…heartfelt and sweet. x shayma
i love this post more than words can describe. the photos are a visual feast. and now on my list of things to get.. a vietnamese coffee maker. thank you SO much for sharing this. And can you share a bit or a link on how to do the moving pictures?
just so good.. all of it.
-heaven
I love this story. I’ve seen so much about Vietnamese Iced Coffee recently but this is the first to make me HAVE to try it. Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful–as usual!
oh, giao.
i have wondered how to make this fine sip FOREVER. i can see i was missing the proper equipment. and coffee. duly noted. any chance it would work with a melitta or other filter system??
i am pretty much certain i need this to beat the heat, right now.
xo,
molly
i had something like this in a roadside cafe in southern spain somewhere between torrevieja and valencia. it’s called a cafe bonbon and is predominantly condensed milk with just an espresso shot of coffee, served in a short glass. it’s funny how this very private pleasure has entwined its way into so many different cultures :)
Oh I love this stuff! I recently found an instant version at a local restaurant. Are those any good?
Hi everyone! Thanks again for such wonderful comments and hope you’re all beating the heat.
Molly! Hmm…I’ve never used a melitta before, so I really don’t know. I would highly recommend getting your hands on the individual Vietnamese coffee filter at your local Asian supermarket. They’re only $2 – $3 dollars and well worth it for the ‘authentic’ experience. ;)
Wokintime, I’d personally stay away from the instant version.
Greetings Kiss My Spatula
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Best regards, Valerie
Thanks! I thought so. It was tempting though I guess good things require patience.
Wokintime – Yes, so true! I promise, the 3-5 minutes goes by in an instant. And then…nothing but bliss! :)
I have had Vietnamese hot coffee and even had a nice lady from the country teach me how to make it. However I have never had it iced, this looks like a nice treat!
delish. great blog. excellent title.
Thank you for another stunning post.
I just love the animated photo, great post!
This is just such a beautiful story- I love that you can see the love between your parents. You’ll have to find out exactly how they did become engaged ….
Completed mesmerized by your stunning photos. In the Caribbean we use condensed milk in coffee too – that’s how i grew up drinking it.
This is such a feel-good post! Both lovely AND sentimental! And I must say, the animated photo makes it even that much more special. I’d like to respectfully echo heaven’s request above if you would kindly “share a bit or a link on how to do the moving pictures?”
delicious and beautiful.
Guess what?? We were mentioned in the same post together!! http://live.gourmet.com/2011/07/weekly-roundup-breakfast-bites/ Pretty exciting. :) The coffee photo with movement is absolute perfection. Love the music pairing as well.
Your photos are amazing and the story that accompanies them is wonderfully nostalgic. :) Thank you!
Very very nice post. I love the story you tell, as it gives the recipe a life around. You tell like a friend who’s talking of his childhood days – in fact, remembering me a bit of Marcel Proust, like this very much.
Your photos are amazing.
I love Vietnamese iced coffee. This has given me such a strong craving. Great story!
Wonderful foodie memories, and beautiful accompanying photos… as usual.
It’s that first sip of coffee, when the whole world seems to recalibrate.
as always, great photography that accompanies a story I could read over and over. cheers!
wow- great post. you are a fantastic writer. the photos are amazing as well!
Lovely pics!!!
What incredible style in these shots. Love.
ummmm, I LOVE those photos :) that looks delish and refreshing. Totally want that right now! ahh tempter!
there really is nothing better! it is almost like a milkshake so rich and delicious! thanks for sharing this recipe!
I wonder if one can find a substitute for a vietnamese coffee brewer. it’s really hard to find one here in the philippines. i brought mine home from vietnam. it really is different from the usual home brewing!!!
Love your blog! Chanced upon it this week. If you have a recipe for Vietnamese iced tea, do share! :)
After reading your Freshly Pressed post about market day and this post about coffee, I’m hooked! You write very well and the photos are just amazing.
Hi I just randomly bumped into your blog and it is so nice to know that you are Vietnamese born :) Cafe sữa đá should be Vietnamese iced white coffee I guess??? (I thought u missed out the “white” part) Anyway it’s such a great thing from our home country. But it’s a little bit too sweet, don’t you think so? Btw, your photos look really nice!
I absolutely love Vietnamese Iced coffee! But, I never knew how it was made. Thank you so much for sharing this! I can’t wait to try some :)
What are your favorite Vietnamese restaurants in Uptown? I just moved to the area and tried one tonight which was ok but I have a feeling there is better.
[…] Great writing, amazing photos and a cool space. Check out G’s kissmyspatula.com/2011/07/17/vietnamese-iced-coffee/. […]
Denise Browning@frombraziltoyou
I loooooove your photography, but the Vietnamese ice coffee maker one is special. Wow! How did you do that? I have never seen a photo in action… :)
When I lived in both Cambodia, my colleagues used to tease “you don’t smile before your first iced coffee. Your blog bought back great memories. You are one of my nominations for the Versatile Bloggers Award. http://wp.me/p1Kawi-80
Keep up the great work, your photos are absolutely stunning.
This is my FAVORITE coffee drink! My husband is Vietnamese and is family always makes Ca Phe Sua Da when we come over! Mmmmm!
Pretty photos! What kind of camera/photo editing software do you use?
I love Vietnamese coffee. Best I have had so far was at cafe dulce in L.A. Going to have to try this at home. Thanks for sharing.
your blog is so beautiful with beautiful stories. I am in love with this vietnamese coffee, with lots of ice and condensed milk!! YUM
I love iced cofee. and these pictures…! great!
Iced coffee is one of my all time favourites, especially in the summer. I can’t wait to try your suggestion!
Zoe xxx
The pictures are fantastic and the iced coffe looks incredible!
Great pictures, love them!
Great idea with that GIF, now your picutres are alive!
[…] Vietnamese Iced Coffee by Kiss My Spatula With dark roast coffee and a splash of sweetened condensed milk, this recipe brings a traditional restaurant favorite home. […]