HCMC Egg Coffee Class Review: A 1-Hour Culinary Adventure

So, egg coffee, that rich and almost dessert-like drink, is almost like a symbol of Vietnam, right? If you’re anything like me, like your curiosity is often led by your stomach when you’re traveling, taking a shot at learning how to prepare this iconic beverage is likely high on your to-do list. While wandering through Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), I took part in a 1-hour egg coffee class, which included a local instructor and a snack, and now I’m here to share that experience, just a bit, with you. Was it worth the time and the cost? Let’s find that out!

First Impressions: Location and Atmosphere

The class was, that, hosted in a charming little cafe tucked away on a side street in District 1. This cafe, so, it was decorated with lots of, you know, local art and had a, really, comfortable, relaxed vibe. It immediately put everyone at ease. The instructor, so too, was genuinely welcoming, greeting each participant with a, really, warm smile. The size of the class was about six people, making it, arguably, an intimate and personal setting which is good because you’ll feel less awkward asking many, many questions.

Getting Hands-On: The Egg Coffee-Making Process

The hands-on part, alright, this is where the magic happened! The instructor started by explaining the origins of egg coffee, tracing it back to Hanoi in the 1940s, that is very cool history, right? We learned about how, really, it was created because of milk shortages and how eggs were used as a substitute. The instructor walked us through each step: whisking the egg yolks with condensed milk and sugar until they turned into this, almost, airy, foamy, meringue-like consistency, is that interesting? Then, just a little, slowly pouring the hot, brewed Vietnamese coffee over this beautiful egg mixture, it’s, you know, quite exciting. We all had our stations set up with everything we needed, so, which made the experience smooth and easy.

Tasting and Tweaking: Finding Your Perfect Cup

Of course, now, the best part! Tasting our own creations, is that great, or what? My first sip was, that, like a revelation, so really, creamy, sweet, and with that kick of strong Vietnamese coffee, very cool. The instructor, clearly, encouraged us to tweak our recipes, a little, by adding a bit more coffee or sweetness according to our taste. This made it feel very personalized. There was a, like your small pastry provided, a “snack” as the class description had promised, which paired just great with the egg coffee, very great!

More Than Coffee: Cultural Insights

This class, though, wasn’t just about making a beverage; the instructor shared some interesting snippets of Vietnamese culture related to coffee, is that something you’d care about? She talked about the social significance of coffee shops in Vietnam and how coffee culture has changed from then, now, since French colonialism, too it’s almost now modern-day cafes, quite interesting! It was, in some respects, great to learn a bit about the local customs alongside the recipe. This made it seem more enriching than I expected.

Value for Money: Is It Worth It?

The, arguably, crucial question: was this class a good value? I would say that, so, for the price, it really was. Besides learning to prepare an iconic drink and enjoying a tasty snack, you also received local cultural insights in a very short amount of time. The, actually, small class size made sure there was personal attention, yet the instructor made certain everyone felt engaged and included. However, just a little, if you are, like, short on time or want a superficial overview, this really is just that.