Ask a regular at Annie’s Sandwiches what they order alongside their Banh Mi, and there’s a good chance the answer isn’t a soda. It’s Vietnamese Coffee — the one drink on the menu that Annie’s itself singles out as the thing “regulars come back for specifically.” At $6.00, it’s also the most-ordered item in the Coffee category, and for anyone who hasn’t had it before, it’s worth understanding what makes it different from a regular iced coffee.
The Short Version
Vietnamese coffee — known in Vietnamese as cà phê sữa đá (“milk coffee with ice”) — is built on two things: strong, dark-roast coffee and sweetened condensed milk. Traditionally, the coffee is brewed slowly through a small metal drip filter called a phin, directly over a layer of condensed milk sitting at the bottom of the glass. The result is a coffee that’s simultaneously bolder and sweeter than a typical American iced coffee, with a distinctive silky texture from the condensed milk rather than cream or sugar syrup.
Why It’s Different From Regular Iced Coffee
Three things separate Vietnamese coffee from a standard iced coffee order:
The milk. Sweetened condensed milk isn’t just a sweetener — it changes the texture of the whole drink, giving it a thicker, richer mouthfeel than milk or creamer would.
The roast. Vietnamese coffee traditionally uses a darker, more robust roast than typical American drip coffee, which is part of why it can stand up to the condensed milk without turning one-dimensionally sweet.
The ratio. Vietnamese coffee is meant to be strong-to-milk in a way that reads as “coffee-forward” rather than “milk-forward” — closer to a cortado than a milkshake, even though condensed milk sounds like it should push it the other way.
Why Annie’s Treats It as a Signature Item
Annie’s serves Vietnamese Coffee as a natural extension of its Banh Mi side of the menu — the drink and the sandwich style share the same culinary roots, and pairing them is a genuinely traditional combination, not a marketing invention. At $6.00, it sits in the middle of Annie’s drink lineup, priced above the canned sodas ($2.00), on par with Thai/Green Milk Tea ($6.00 each), and below the Smoothie ($7.25), the most premium drink option.
How to Order It at Annie’s
Vietnamese Coffee is listed simply as “Vietnamese Coffee” under the Coffee category on Annie’s menu, priced at $6.00. It pairs naturally with any of the ten Banh Mi options — the Combo Sandwich ($10.95) in particular, since that’s the most traditional, fully-loaded version of the sandwich — but there’s no rule that says it has to stay on that side of the menu. Plenty of regulars order it alongside American deli sandwiches too.
First Time Trying It?
If you’ve never had Vietnamese coffee before, go in expecting something closer to a very good, cold, not-too-sweet dessert-adjacent coffee than a typical American iced latte. The condensed milk settles at the bottom of the glass in the traditional preparation, so a stir before the first sip brings the whole drink together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vietnamese coffee made of?
Strong, dark-roast coffee combined with sweetened condensed milk, traditionally brewed through a small metal phin filter and served over ice.
How much is Vietnamese Coffee at Annie’s Sandwiches?
$6.00.
Is Vietnamese Coffee very sweet?
It’s sweeter than black coffee due to the condensed milk, but the dark roast keeps it coffee-forward rather than dessert-sweet.
What should I order with Vietnamese Coffee at Annie’s?
Any Banh Mi pairs traditionally, especially the Combo Sandwich ($10.95), though it works with American sandwiches too.
Does Annie’s have other Vietnamese-style drinks?
Yes — Thai Milk Tea and Green Milk Tea ($6.00 each) are also on the menu, alongside a Smoothie ($7.25).
