Pho Cue's viral Vietnamese crème brûlée egg coffee is a sweet, creamy takeaway treat in Manchester's Chinatown, with an edible wafer cup that holds together for about 90 minutes. The drink, priced at £6.50, is sold only between midday and 4pm.
A Unique Coffee-Dessert Hybrid
The coffee is hand-prepared by Cue, the restaurant owner, who shared that the craft was passed down from his grandfather to his father, and then to him. The drink combines slow-dripped coffee with pasteurised egg, maintaining its flavour from the first sip to the last, unlike most iced coffees that lose taste after an initial sip.
The edible cone, sweetened by the crème brûlée that previously filled it, adds an ice-creamy bonus. The wafer cup is biodegradable and has been tested to stay intact for about an hour and a half before it begins to droop.
Takeaway Only Experience
Due to the restaurant space being reserved for food rushes, the drink is sold as takeaway only. Customers must find their own seating, which is the only drawback given the open-top nature of the cup. The venue, Pho Cue, is located at 52a Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FH.
Pho Cue opened during the pandemic and has operated in Manchester's Chinatown since. The 'Coffee Cue' booth, near the main doorway, specialises in drinks and light snacks. The restaurant's menu reflects family food tradition, with recipes passed down through generations.
