Cong Caphe Is a Gateway to Vietnam’s Coffee Scene and History

Cong Caphe
Level 2, Gateway Mall 2, General Araneta, Cubao, Quezon City
Contact number: 0962-929-8952
Facebook: www.facebook.com/p/Cong-Caphe-PH-61567854074514
Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday

(SPOT.ph) There’s a reason why you won’t see any of the biggest global coffee franchises in Vietnam. In a country where coffee is a major agricultural product, local brands take center stage, brewing not just strong cups of joe but also a deep sense of national pride. And one of the biggest names in the game? Cong Caphe.

The Philippines, on the other hand, has always been a bit of a coffee-free-for-all, with local cafes sharing space with the international heavyweights. And now, Cong Caphe has officially joined the coffee party, setting up its first branch at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta, Quezon City.

Also read: Vietnam's Cong Caphe to Open First Philippine Store in QC

Cong Caphe serves strong brews and an even stronger sense of Vietnamese pride

Cong Caphe was founded in 2007 by Linh Dung, who was inspired to run the coffee business by being a performance artist, and her childhood spent during the subsidy period (1976-1986). Back then, the government controlled the economy, and people worked for ration stubs to claim essentials like rice, vegetables, oil, and salt.

That very childhood nostalgia of hers fuels the vibe at Cong Caphe in Quezon City. Because it is inside a mall (a.k.a. where families or groups of friends shop, dine, and socialize), this branch was intentionally designed to be a time capsule of a family's daily life during the subsidy era. The communal setup—long tables, a sala-like layout—makes it clear: this place isn’t for solo dining unless you take the whole table.

But it's the tiny details that truly complete the "daily life" theme. Almost everything was flown in from Vietnam—they're that particular, says Jalisha Yulangco, CEO of Cong Caphe Philippines. The metal buckets-turned-light-fixtures, the floral-printed cushions tied to wooden seats, the rusty tin canisters and kettles displayed on walls, even the “Pick Up Here” signs—imported straight from Vietnam, with the exception of the wooden seats in the dining booths.

Cong Caphe branches in Vietnam don’t just stick to one historical aesthetic—they embrace a variety of themes, from the family home you can see at the Gateway Mall 2 branch, to army barracks, and even factory settings featuring vintage sewing machines that are turned into tables. The founder’s father was a fixer of sorts, always repurposing and reinventing, which likely influenced her approach to the cafe's interiors. True to that spirit, most of the furnishings are upcycled to breathe new life into Vietnam’s rich history.

What to try at Cong Caphe

Cong Caphe’s commitment to tradition goes beyond its visuals—it’s ingrained in the cups they serve too. Their coffee is brewed using oversized phin filters, the classic Vietnamese brewing tool, and you’ll spot a row of them lined up by the counter. This slow-drip method extracts a bold, concentrated brew, which they expertly balance with rich, creamy ingredients in their signature drinks.

There’s the bestselling Bac Xiu (price starts at P155, available hot or iced), which combines phin-brewed coffee with condensed milk and coconut cream, then designed with a star on top to represent the star in the Vietnam flag. But if you want to stray from the classics, Yulangco mentions Cong Caphe released a peanut butter drink in Vietnam, but because of the positive feedback it has gotten, the drink stayed on the menu, and, yes, it's available in the Philippine branch.

The Ca Kem Dau Phong or Coffee with Condensed Cream and Peanut Butter (P215/12oz and P230/16oz) is an iced drink with dark coffee sweetened with condensed cream, then topped with a velvety nutty cream on top. For this drink, we suggest mixing it up combine the layers (rather than leaving them as is like you would cream-cheese milk tea drinks, for example) for a more balanced sip.

As for non-caffeinated options, Cong Caphe’s famous Cot Dua Com Xanh or the Coconut Green Rice Coffee (230) isn’t all hype—it’s a refreshing ice-blended drink that will remind you of buko pandan, and not just because it has bits of green in it. This drink is made of coconut milk and Vietnamese green rice flakes that are sweet and nutty, with a chewy texture. Just as refreshing but on the tarter side is the Sai Gon Salted Kumquat, a citrusy tea served in a glass with a spicy salted rim.

Since Cong Caphe's first Philippine branch is still in its early phase, there aren't many food options on the menu just yet. For now, they do have croissants that can be paired with coffee—which, apparently, is Vietnam's fancy equivalent to our pandesal and coffee combination. There's also Banh Mi stuffed with Pork (P250), Beef Satay (P260), and Lemongrass Chicken (P260) should you want something more filling. 

As for its future, Yulangco shares with SPOT.ph that they are working on adding bowls of pho and fresh spring rolls to the menu. There is also a plan to open a second Cong Caphe branch in Maginhawa, Quezon City this year, and “more on the students naman yung magiging focus on that one," she says. This will be a standalone branch—much smaller than Gateway Mall 2, but it will have a more similar vibe to Vietnam’s small coffee shops. 

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