Hanoi Coffee Workshop by Su Quan Roastery: 6 Brews and Food Tasting

Hanoi’s coffee culture makes more sense once you have handled the tools yourself. At Su Quan Roastery, you make six drinks, from black phin coffee to egg and coconut coffee, then sit down for a Vietnamese dish in a quiet garden setting.

I like two things in particular: you get step-by-step help with the brewing, and the Old Quarter hotel transfer saves you a trip across town to the roastery. The included tea and biscuits also make the pauses between coffees feel like part of the visit, not dead time.

The main consideration is the length and coffee count. Six drinks in a roughly three-hour session may be a lot if you are not keen on caffeine, and the shared pickup can run early or late. The food option is a choice of pho, bun cha, or nem, not a full tasting of all three.

What to know before you book

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• Six drinks, made by you: Learn traditional phin brewing and sample other preparations, including pour-over, egg coffee, and coconut coffee.
• A garden pause: The roastery has a leafy garden setting away from Hanoi’s busy streets, with herbal tea and local biscuits included.
• One local dish: Choose pho, bun cha, or nem as part of the food component.
• Useful Old Quarter pickup: Round-trip transfer is available for hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with timing confirmed by the operator.
• Instructors bring personality: Past sessions have been led by Pa, Kim, Mark, Chris, and Piey. Names vary, but the format is hands-on and guided.
• A practical price check: Starting figures are listed from US$25.75 and US$28.29. Check the current total and package details before booking.

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From Old Quarter hotel to roastery garden

If you are staying in the Old Quarter, the included shared transfer is a real convenience. Su Quan Roastery is at Number 4, Lane 173/75/32 Hoang Hoa Tham, in Ba Dinh, rather than right in the middle of the Old Quarter. A pickup saves you from arranging your own ride and finding the small lane on your own.

The operator confirms the pickup time in advance. Be ready in your hotel lobby ten minutes before that time, but allow some flexibility: this is a shared service, so the vehicle may arrive early or late. Enter your hotel name and address when booking, then watch for the operator’s reconfirmation.

If you are not staying in the Old Quarter, do not assume the hotel transfer applies. Confirm the arrangement with the operator or plan to meet at the roastery. The listed meeting address is in a narrow-lane format, so save it and contact the operator if you have trouble locating the entrance. The listed contact number is +84 96 668 5845.

The workshop runs for about three hours, with the scheduled return around noon, although return information gives a broader window of 12:00 to 17:00. Traffic and weather can affect the schedule. If you have a flight, appointment, or another timed activity that day, leave a generous buffer rather than planning a tight connection.

Learning the phin, one cup at a time

The heart of the class is making coffee rather than simply watching someone else do it. You learn about Vietnamese beans and traditional brewing methods, then follow step-by-step instruction as you prepare six drinks. Equipment is provided, and the session is set up as a group workshop.

The phin is a small metal filter used to brew Vietnamese coffee directly into a cup. The method is simple in appearance, but the pace and preparation matter. A guided session gives you a chance to see how the brewing works and try it yourself, which is more useful than taking home a list of coffee names with no idea how they are made.

The six drinks include Pour Over, Black Phin, Egg Coffee, and Coconut Coffee. Those examples give you a sense of the range: a straightforward black cup, a different brewing approach, and sweeter, creamier styles. The workshop description emphasizes phin coffee, but not every listed drink is made using a phin. Think of it as an introduction to Vietnamese coffee styles, with the phin at the center.

You should expect to make and taste several cups, not just one. That is part of the appeal for coffee fans, but it is also worth considering if you are sensitive to caffeine or prefer a slower morning. The information does not specify caffeine-free alternatives or exact drink sizes, so ask the instructor if you need to pace yourself.

The guide matters in a small-group, hands-on class. Instructors named in past sessions include Pa, Kim, Mark, Chris, and Piey. Their individual teaching styles may differ, but the format aims to keep everyone involved. Pa has been described as funny and helpful, while Kim has been noted for making participants feel included. These are useful signs of the class’s tone, but staff assignments can change.

Recipes are included, giving you something to refer to after the session. One practical tip: if you expect a printed recipe booklet, ask about it before you leave. A booklet was not received by at least one participant, so it is sensible to check rather than assume the format.

A quiet garden between the coffees

Hanoi’s street life can be lively and loud. The roastery’s garden offers a different pace, with leafy canopies and a quieter setting for drinking what you have made. That contrast is part of the experience’s value: you get time to sit, talk, and taste instead of rushing from one café to another.

Herbal tea and local Vietnamese biscuits are included. They are a welcome break between coffee preparations, especially if six cups sound ambitious. They also add a small local-food element without turning the workshop into a full meal.

The garden is a setting for the class, not a separate sightseeing stop. If you are booking mainly for architectural views or a broad tour of Hanoi, this is not that kind of outing. Its pleasure is more intimate: learn a skill, have a drink, and enjoy a calmer pocket of the city.

Pho, bun cha, or nem with your coffee session

The food component connects the coffee lesson to familiar Vietnamese dishes. You can choose one of three options: pho, bun cha, or nem. That choice lets you pair the activity with a dish you already want to try, or pick something that is new to you.

It is important to read the meal offer as one selected dish, not a guided tasting of all three. If you are hoping to compare Hanoi’s best-known dishes side by side, you will need to arrange that elsewhere. Here, the food is a complement to the workshop, giving you a taste of local cuisine without taking over the morning.

Food and beverages are included, but the available details do not specify portion sizes or the exact serving setup. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator before booking. The listed package is built around the choice of pho, bun cha, or nem, so do not assume substitutions are available.

What the price buys you

The advertised starting prices are US$25.75 and US$28.29, so treat them as guide figures and check the current rate for your date. Price can change with the selected package or booking conditions. The listed option includes the workshop, an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide, equipment, step-by-step instruction, recipes, food and drinks, and round-trip hotel transfer for eligible Old Quarter hotels.

That is a solid bundle for a three-hour activity, particularly if you would otherwise need to arrange transport and pay separately for several coffees and a meal. The value is strongest if you want to learn by doing. If you only want to try one egg coffee, a regular café visit will cost less and take far less time.

Tips and personal expenses are not included. Gratuities are optional, and you do not need to budget for special brewing equipment during the class. The equipment needed for the workshop is supplied.

Who will enjoy this workshop most

I would put this near the top of the list for coffee drinkers who want more than a quick café stop. You get to make the drinks, ask questions, and see how different methods change the cup. It also suits curious first-time visitors who want a guided introduction without spending half a day on a large group tour.

The class can work for families, with children aged zero to nine listed as free and children aged ten or older charged the adult rate. Parents should consider the coffee-heavy format and the length of the session when deciding if it suits younger children. The information does not detail separate child activities.

This is less suitable if you need a precise return time, dislike group transfers, or want a full meal tour covering several dishes. The schedule can change with traffic and weather, and the shared pickup may not be exact. If a calm, practical coffee lesson sounds better than another checklist of city sights, those trade-offs are easy to weigh.

Should you book Su Quan Roastery?

Book it if you want a hands-on introduction to Vietnamese coffee, appreciate a quieter garden setting, and like the convenience of Old Quarter pickup. The combination of six brews, a chosen local dish, and guided instruction gives the morning a clear purpose and good value.

Skip it if you mainly want a quick coffee, need a tightly timed return, or expect to taste all three food options. Before confirming, check the current price, pickup eligibility, dietary needs, and how the recipes are provided. Arrive ten minutes early, and leave room in your day for Hanoi traffic.

FAQ

How long does the workshop last?

The experience is described as a three-hour workshop. The schedule may change depending on traffic and weather.

What coffees will I make?

You will make six signature drinks. Examples include Pour Over, Black Phin, Egg Coffee, and Coconut Coffee.

Is the workshop hands-on?

Yes. You prepare the drinks yourself with equipment provided and step-by-step guidance from an English- or Vietnamese-speaking instructor.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel transfer is available for hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The operator confirms the pickup time in advance.

Where is Su Quan Roastery?

The address is Number 4, Lane 173/75/32 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ba Dinh, Hanoi. The meeting information also gives the address as Alley 75/173 Hoang Hoa Tham.

Which food is included?

The package includes a choice of pho, bun cha, or nem. It does not specify that all three are served.

Are tea and biscuits included?

Yes. Complimentary herbal tea and local Vietnamese biscuits are included, along with the workshop’s meals and beverages.

Can children join?

Children aged zero to nine are listed as free. Children aged ten and older are charged the same rate as adults.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, subject to the stated booking restrictions.