In the heart of New York City, a place that can be called a gathering of the world’s culinary elite, Le Phin coffee has truly spread the fragrance of Vietnam’s culture.
On March 21, 2026, a nearly 4-minute story was broadcast on television about the 4-year journey of a Vietnamese woman named Le Thi Kim Khuyen with “The imprint of Vietnamese phin coffee in New York, USA.”
On the second day of the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, February 2, 2022, Le Phin opened at 259 East 10th Street, in the East Village, Manhattan, New York; open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Today, that charming little 50 square meter shop has made a spectacular conquest of American diners! Saying “spectacular” is meant both literally—visible and countable.
Would you believe it? Now, during spring and summer, the shop sells an average of 200 cups on weekdays and 400 cups on weekends; even on regular winter days, it sells 150 cups, and on weekends, 200 cups!
The journey to find Vietnamese coffee for… Americans!
In the eyes of Americans, [Vietnamese coffee] is too bitter, too strong, too sweet, and has too much ice.
“When bringing Vietnamese coffee culture to Americans, what matters is not only preserving its unique identity and flavor, but also understanding the taste and coffee-drinking habits of the locals. Only by harmonizing both can the story of Vietnamese coffee be truly embraced.
In other words, it’s not about changing the identity of Vietnamese coffee, but finding a point of intersection between the two cultures. When drinkers can both feel the distinctive traits of Vietnamese coffee and find familiarity with their own habits, then Vietnamese coffee is not just a new beverage, but becomes a true cultural experience,” Kim Khuyen shared.
Everyone knows that phin coffee is a “specialty” of Vietnam. But Americans find it hard to wait… drop by drop like people from our homeland, especially with the “take away” style that emphasizes speed and convenience.
So, how many seconds is the right time to wait at the counter to receive a cup of phin coffee?
That’s not all. Paper filters won’t work. But which material is most suitable: ceramic, silver, aluminum, or stainless steel filters? And what about water ratio, water temperature…
After two whole years of persistent “trial and error,” a unique coffee machine was created, designed by an American expert specifically to the requirement: one server operating the machine can brew three cups of phin coffee at once according to different recipes—from Vietnamese-style coffee to espresso, cappuccino, americano, latte…
To become a true barista, Kim Khuyen studied continuously, without pause, for many years in both brewing, tasting, roasting, and grinding coffee… in the US and Vietnam.
She holds a CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) certificate, commonly known as “Q Grader”—one of the most prestigious professional certifications in the global coffee industry. She has also been invited as a judge for the Vietnam Barista Competition in Hanoi (November 2023 and April 2025).
But above all, more than anything, it is an effort of over 10,000 days trying to shape a Vietnamese coffee recipe for… American tastes: from the blend ratio of Robusta and Arabica beans to the grind size, from the right type of condensed milk and raw material sources from various countries to the secret of directly roasting and grinding coffee beans…
It was the period of over 4 years working daily at coffee shops in Manhattan such as L’Adresse (Nomad and Bryant Park), Perk Kafe (Kips Bay) that turned her into the kind of person cultural researcher Phan Ngoc once mentioned when discussing “Vietnamese culture wanting to maintain its identity and
New York City
New York City, founded as a Dutch trading post called New Amsterdam in 1624, grew into a major global hub after the British took control and renamed it. It served as the first capital of the United States and has since become a cultural and financial epicenter, home to iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. Today, it remains a diverse metropolis known for its influence on art, commerce, and immigration.
East Village
The East Village is a historic neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, known for its vibrant counterculture and artistic legacy. Originally part of the Lower East Side, it became a hub for immigrant communities in the 19th and early 20th centuries before evolving into a center for punk rock, avant-garde art, and bohemian life in the 1960s-1980s. Today, it retains a eclectic mix of historic tenements, independent shops, music venues, and diverse dining options.
Manhattan
Manhattan is a densely populated borough of New York City, historically purchased by Dutch colonists from Native Americans in 1626 and originally named New Amsterdam. It grew into a global hub of commerce, culture, and finance, famously centered on Wall Street and Broadway. Today, Manhattan is renowned for its iconic skyline, diverse neighborhoods, and landmarks like Times Square and Central Park.
L’Adresse (Nomad and Bryant Park)
L’Adresse (Nomad and Bryant Park) refers to a stylish French-inspired restaurant in New York City, with locations in the NoMad neighborhood and near Bryant Park. The original NoMad location opened in 2014, offering a modern bistro experience in a historic Beaux-Arts building, while the Bryant Park outpost later expanded the concept. Its menu emphasizes seasonal, market-driven dishes, reflecting a blend of Parisian elegance and New York City’s vibrant culinary scene.
Perk Kafe (Kips Bay)
Perk Kafe in Kips Bay, New York, is a modern, cozy café known for its specialty coffee and relaxed atmosphere, popular among locals and students. While it doesn’t have a long historical legacy, it has become a neighborhood staple since its opening, contributing to the area’s vibrant café culture. The café reflects Kips Bay’s evolution from a quiet residential district into a hub for dining and social gatherings.
Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is one of Southeast Asia’s most ancient cities, with a history dating back over a thousand years to its founding in 1010 AD. It served as the political center of various Vietnamese dynasties and later became the capital of French Indochina, leaving a legacy of colonial architecture and rich cultural traditions. Today, Hanoi is known for its blend of historic sites, such as the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake, alongside a vibrant modern urban life.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes, from the terraced rice fields of Sapa to the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay. Its history includes over a thousand years of Chinese rule, followed by periods of independence under various dynasties, French colonial occupation, and the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975. Today, Vietnam is a rapidly developing nation that blends ancient traditions with modern growth, attracting millions of visitors to sites like the ancient town of Hoi An and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
United States
The United States is a large, diverse nation in North America, founded on July 4, 1776, with the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Its history includes westward expansion, the Civil War over slavery and states’ rights, and its rise as a global economic and military power in the 20th century. Today, it is known for its cultural influence, technological innovation, and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon.
