Ice coffee in a tall glass with cream poured over and coffee beans on a grey stone background.
Food - Drink
Bc Xu: The Lesser-Known Vietnamese Coffee
By NIKITA EPHANOV
Iced coffee with heavy cream pour in the foreground with black iced coffee in background and a coffee pot.
What is Bc Xu
Although similar to the more popular phê sữa đá, or Vietnamese iced coffee, bạc xỉu, is a sweeter, less robust iced coffee drink. Also called Saigon-style coffee, bạc xỉu uses all the same ingredients as Vietnamese iced coffee, just in different proportions, resulting in a lighter, milkier drink.
A glass of iced coffee with a heavy pour of cream mixed in
Origin
While Vietnamese iced coffee was concocted as a way to enjoy coffee, bạc xỉu likely originated as a way to enjoy milk. In the early days of French colonialism, fresh dairy was scarce, so condensed milk and hot water were mixed with a bit of coffee to create a milk-like beverage that could be enjoyed even by children.
Vietnamese black coffee being brewed with a phin prewer
How It’s Made
Bạc xỉu starts with coffee prepared in the iconic Phin brewer, and it is either brewed over ice or mixed with ice until cool. Next, a half cup of ice, three tablespoons of condensed milk, and four ounces of cold milk are combined, vigorously shaken, and served in a glass with the cold coffee poured over the top.
Vietnamese black coffee being brewed with a phin brewer on a wooden table near a bowl with ice cubes
Differentiation
The most immediate distinction between bạc xỉu and cà phê sữa đá is visual, with bạc xỉu having a much lighter color due to the amount of milk. Aside from color, bạc xỉu has a creamy, frothy texture, a lack of any bitter flavor, and a pleasantly oily mouth-feel due to the beverage’s high fat content.