Coffeeholic House: Sharing Vietnamese coffee culture with Seattle

Coffee. This is how many people start their day. And Vietnamese coffee, well, it has a flavorful punch.

“In Vietnam we like our coffee strong, strong and sweet,” explains Chen Dien, co-owner of Coffeeholic House.

At the Coffeeholic House, Dien and his wife Trang bring a taste of Vietnamese coffee culture to Columbia City. It’s something they missed after moving to Seattle from Vietnam in 2013.

“We felt like we were struggling to find the right cup of coffee. After searching for the right coffee for a long time, we decided that there was nothing like Vietnam in Seattle. So we decided, our passion for To put coffee on the way to opening our first store, “said Dien.

One of the things that make Vietnamese coffee stand out is the beans themselves, robusta, as opposed to the arabica beans that are typically used for more coffee and espresso drinks in the United States.

“People think [Robusta] is just cheap coffee. It’s something you use on instant coffee, a $ 2 to $ 3 collar per cup, “Dien said.” But for us, we want to take that to a special level, showcase the coffee culture we grew up with, and the ‘Oh, it’s not cheap to “redefine. It’s something we cherish. It’s a big part of our heart, our family, and also the whole country.”

Coffeeholic House sources its beans directly from Vietnam (the country is the second largest coffee exporter in the world) and roasts them in small batches in-house. These beans form the basis for all kinds of creative and Instagram-worthy coffee creations.

“I think it just blows people away because they don’t see a lot of americanos, lattes or cappuccinos when they walk in. You will see four menu boards with many options that you have never seen before. ons like Ube drizzle and cheese foam. Are you like “cheese foam on coffee?” Then they try it out and it just knocks them out, “said Dien.

One of the staples at Coffeeholic House is traditional Vietnamese coffee, made with Phin-Drip coffee and condensed milk for a serious caffeine kick. The bestseller is the aptly named Coffeeholic Dream, a mix of Vietnamese coffee, condensed milk and hazelnut syrup with a layer of cheese foam.

“[The cheese foam] is kind of salted so it’s a bit strange, but when you take the first sip and the coffee goes through the froth it’s just perfectly mixed together. It’s like dessert in a cup, but it’s strong and bold, ”Dien explained with a smile.

While the colorful drinks draw people in, Dien hopes that they will inspire diners to enjoy coffee just like in Vietnam.

“Coffee shops in Vietnam don’t close at 3pm or 5pm. They are open until 10 p.m., ”said Dien. “It’s not just a place to get caffeine or check in and out. It’s a place where you sit around and slow down for a moment. Talk to your friends, talk to loved ones, or just hang out with someone. It brings the community together over a cup of coffee. “

At the Coffeeholic House, each of these cups is another opportunity to share Vietnamese coffee culture with Seattle.

“It really tells the story of our background. How we are immigrants, bringing all the good things of Vietnamese food culture into the world and pouring them into a cup of coffee.”