Brian Jeffrey
Choi Jong-rak, a Korean YouTuber who has been living in Ho Chi Minh City for more than five years, operates a popular YouTube channel with his brother Sungrak and a friend. They frequently share videos showcasing culture, lifestyle, and culinary experiences in Vietnam and Korea.
The trio’s YouTube channel has accumulated a following of over 924,000 subscribers, with each video receiving tens of thousands to millions of views.
Jong-rak, who has a strong passion for Vietnamese cuisine, often ventures out to explore and savor various delicacies throughout the country, ranging from street food to upscale restaurant offerings, and from budget-friendly to very expensive options.
During a recent visit to a café on Pasteur Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Jong-rak tried a coffee priced at 500,000 VND, intrigued by the idea of this costly version of a common Vietnamese drink.
At this café, coffees are available at prices between 110,000 VND and 500,000 VND per cup, with the higher costs attributed to the premium beans sourced from renowned farms in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Ethiopia.
Jong-rak opted for a coffee made from Sudan Rume beans, harvested from the distinguished Las Margaritas farm in the Valle del Cauca valley of Colombia. These beans boast a blend of eucalyptus, jasmine, and lemon peel aromas and typically retail for around $120 per kilogram.
While savoring the coffee, Jong-rak noted its slight acidity and rich aroma derived from the roasted beans, humorously remarking, “It feels like I’m in Colombia.”
This marked Jong-rak’s maiden experience with such an expensive coffee in Vietnam. In the past, he found enjoyment in a more economically priced option, savoring black iced coffee without sugar for 13,000 VND per cup, praising its freshness and flavor.
Jong-rak highlighted how distinct coffee types offer varying flavors based on the components and preparation techniques, citing Robusta coffee for its bitterness and Arabica coffee for its acidity.
Visitors have the opportunity to select and relish an array of coffee types based on their preferences.
Under Jong-rak’s video reviewing “the most expensive coffee in Vietnam,” numerous netizens expressed their thoughts on this familiar beverage.
Some contended that the costly coffee offers a different quality worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
“Those with a genuine appreciation for coffee flavors wouldn’t be deterred by the price as long as they find it delicious and gratifying,” remarked user Dung Pham.
“Foreign visitors appear to prefer this coffee over Vietnamese coffee. The price encompasses both the ambiance and the service; you get what you pay for,” added Ngoc Nga.
“The 500,000 VND coffee incorporates specialty beans from worldwide locations, imported from the Americas and Africa, providing a rich array of flavors from tea and vanilla to various fruits. The preparation of this coffee necessitates extensive knowledge and modern equipment,” pointed out user @VoBrista.
Vietnam is renowned for its café culture, cherished by both locals and tourists. Many find Vietnamese coffee appealing due to its affordability and diversity, including options such as black coffee, milk coffee, and egg coffee.
“If you’re accustomed to Vietnamese coffee, you might not favor imported varieties. Moreover, the price difference is substantial; approximately 30,000 VND could afford you a generous cup of milk coffee,” suggested Tai Tran.
“It’s no wonder that foreign tourists appreciate Vietnamese coffee. Those with a robust palate may relish black coffee, whereas those preferring a milder taste might enjoy milk coffee, egg coffee, or white coffee,” shared Thuy Linh.
“Everyone’s taste and preferences differ, making coffee type preferences a personal choice. If feasible, sample both expensive and budget-friendly coffees; otherwise, try street coffee in Vietnam priced at around 10,000 – 15,000 VND per cup,” suggested Ninh Anh.
Thao Trinh
