{"id":1538,"date":"2026-03-19T15:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T06:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?p=1538"},"modified":"2026-06-21T03:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T18:23:02","slug":"milano-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/cafe\/milano-coffee\/","title":{"rendered":"The complete guide to Vietnam's largest caf\u00e9, \u201cMilano Coffee\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to Vietnamese caf\u00e9s, many may think of the stylish Highlands Coffee or The Coffee House. But the one boasting Vietnam's largest store count is actuallyMilano Coffee<\/a>. This caf\u00e9 chain, marked by black-and-white signs, operates over 2,000 stores nationwide and is deeply rooted in Vietnamese daily life. Authentic Vietnamese coffee enjoyable from 15,000 VND (about 90 yen) a cup is an entry point to a real Vietnam that guidebooks don't carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Over 2,000 stores! Vietnam's largest everyman caf\u00e9 empire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Milano Coffee's story began in September 2011, from a small single shop in Go Vap district, Ho Chi Minh City. Founder Le Minh Cuong is someone who had been engaged in coffee-bean roasting since 1996. Making use of his long-cultivated roasting technique, launching a new style of \"street caf\u00e9 (ca phe duong pho)\" in a small store of just 5 m\u00b2 of frontage was the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street caf\u00e9s of Ho Chi Minh City at the time were mainly a simple style of just plastic chairs lined up on the sidewalk. Amid that, Cuong incorporated on-the-spot roasting at the bar counter and a clean interior based on black and white, taking a gamble on the idea of offering a notch-higher space at everyman prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This strategy hit the mark splendidly. By adopting a low-cost franchise model, it surpassed 200 stores by 2013, in just two years. It continued to expand rapidly thereafter and has now grown into one of Southeast Asia's leading coffee chains, operating over 2,000 stores across 58 of Vietnam's provinces. A major feature is that, whereas Highlands Coffee and The Coffee House expand centered on urban shopping malls, Milano Coffee sticks to a community-rooted style centered on street-level shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial cost of joining the franchise is about 90 million VND (about 540,000 yen), surprisingly low-cost for Vietnam's dining industry. This accessibility backed store openings by individual owners, and so you came to see the Milano Coffee sign everywhere on street corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Don't Miss These! Recommended Menu<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Milano Coffee's price range centers on 15,000 to 35,000 VND (about 90 to 210 yen) a cup. You can savor authentic Vietnamese coffee at a price cheaper than a Japanese convenience-store coffee. There are slight differences in menu breadth by franchise store, but the following standard items can be ordered at nearly any store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2460 The royal road: ca phe sua da (Ca Phe Sua Da)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ca phe sua da, which could be called the byword for Vietnamese coffee, is the first cup to order at Milano Coffee. The price is 15,000 to 20,000 VND (about 90 to 120 yen). Robusta coffee slowly extracted with an aluminum phin (Vietnamese-style dripper) falls slowly onto the condensed milk laid at the bottom of the glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stirring thoroughly with a spoon before drinking is the Vietnamese way. The hard-hitting deep bitterness and the rich sweetness of condensed milk mix together, and a powerful flavor entirely different from Japanese coffee spreads through your mouth. Since it's served in a glass full of ice, drinking it between walks through Vietnam's blazing streets is exceptional. If you want to enjoy it hot, order \"Ca Phe Sua Nong.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2461 The talked-about flavor: ca phe muoi (Ca Phe Muoi \/ salt coffee)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What's been drawing attention in Vietnam's caf\u00e9 scene these past few years is salt coffee \"ca phe muoi,\" originating in the ancient capital Hue. It's offered at many Milano Coffee stores too, at a price of around 20,000 to 29,000 VND (about 120 to 175 yen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the glass is a beautiful three-layer structure. At the very bottom is condensed milk, in the middle rich coffee, and at the very top fluffy salt cream foam. The small amount of salt used in this cream brings out both the bitterness and the sweetness of the coffee, creating a deep flavor like a dessert. Since it's beautiful to look at too, be sure to take a photo before mixing. It's a cup we can also recommend to those who like sweet things or find coffee's bitterness a bit hard to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2462 For hot days: smoothies & freezes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It's not rare for Vietnam's daytime temperature to top 30 degrees. What's reliable at such times is Milano Coffee's smoothie and freeze (frozen drink) series. At around 25,000 to 35,000 VND (about 150 to 210 yen), cold drinks generously using tropical fruits are on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially popular are tropical smoothies using mango and passion fruit. Since ripe Vietnamese fruit is blended as is, you can directly enjoy the fruit's rich flavor. It's a perfect menu item for those who dislike coffee or travelers with children too. Also, coffee-based freeze drinks are a popular menu item where you can enjoy a crunchy texture and coffee aroma at once. Taking one to go as a companion for a city walk is recommended too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The essence of a local experience: how to enjoy Milano<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The real charm of Milano Coffee lies in being able to blend right into Vietnamese daily life. Rather than a comfortable air-conditioned space like Highlands Coffee or Starbucks, what's here is a semi-outdoor style with low chairs lined up on the sidewalk. Sitting down on a small plastic chair and sipping coffee while gazing at the swarms of bikes crossing the road \u2014 that itself is this country's everyday scenery, which millions of Vietnamese repeat every morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stepping inside, a simple interior based on black and brown catches your eye. Wood-grain tables with leather-look chairs \u2014 an unpretentious yet comfortable space. Since most stores have Wi-Fi, you can also charge your smartphone and take a breather between sightseeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recommended way to spend time is to visit in the early morning hours. Many stores open from around 7 a.m., and you can encounter the sight of Vietnamese people before work reading the newspaper coffee in hand or enjoying chatting with friends. Some stores offer banh mi (Vietnamese-style sandwich), so it's a chance to experience a local-style breakfast. It's also a time bustling with regulars from evening on, and you can see up close people relaxing on their way home from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, because Milano Coffee is a franchise, an interesting point is that each store is rich in individuality. The signs are uniform, but the interior, atmosphere, and variety of menu offered differ subtly by store. Hopping among a few and finding your own favorite one is a pleasure of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. A Practical Guide for Japanese Tourists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since Milano Coffee isn't a caf\u00e9 for tourists, there's some information it's reassuring to know. For first-time visitors, we've compiled practical points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to find a store<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milano Coffee is marked by a sign reading \"MILANO COFFEE\" in black letters on white. It's widely expanded not only in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang but also in regional cities, so it should naturally catch your eye as you walk the town. Searching \"Milano Coffee\" on Google Maps quickly finds stores around your current location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to order<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some stores may not have an English menu, but there's no need to worry. Point at a photo on the menu, or make use of a translation app on your smartphone. The easiest is to remember the phrase \"Ca phe sua da.\" Just saying this lets you order Vietnam's national coffee at any store. There's also a Milano Coffee smartphone app, convenient for the menu and store search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About payment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment is basically centered on cash (Vietnamese dong). Many stores don't accept credit cards, so preparing small bills is reassuring. At a very reasonable 15,000 to 35,000 VND (about 90 to 210 yen) a cup, a few 50,000 VND notes are plenty. Since Vietnam has no tipping culture, paying the displayed price as is is fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manners and tips worth knowing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n