Enjoy egg coffee in a nearly century-old house on Chan Cam Street.

Located at the beginning of Chan Cam Street, Loading T isn't particularly striking, but it piques the curiosity of passersby due to the antique charm of its old French villa.

I visited the cafe on a beautiful Hanoi day, the weather was cool but with a touch of sunshine, making everyone feel more cheerful and more in love with the capital city. It had probably been a few years since I last came to Loading T, from my student days to now that I'm working, but the atmosphere here remains as fresh as ever.

Located on the second floor of an old villa, Loading T Cafe's decor, inspired by the old Indochinese architectural style, gives visitors the feeling of stepping back in time to a classic era.

Stepping up to the second floor, the old cement steps are adorned with a few small, pretty potted plants. The old house, with its characteristic yellow paint, moss-covered balcony, rustic brick walls, and patterned tiled floor, is a classic example of French architecture, yet largely unchanged. Nearly a century old, this house is characterized by its high ceilings and airy spaces.

Having the opportunity to chat with the owner, Mr. Hoang Tuan Son, I asked him why the cafe is named Loading T and why he chose an old French villa as the location for his cafe instead of other places. He smiled and explained: “For me, Loading T means waiting for something new and pausing for a while to rest. T stands for Trang – my wife. Loading T has been open for almost 9 years. I chose this location because I like the quiet. Opening a cafe is primarily for myself, to enjoy and experience it first. This house was left to me by my family, built in 1931, more than 90 years ago. Nearly a century has passed, and the house has been kept in its original state without any renovations or restorations. Because I want anyone who comes here to leave without seeing any changes, still seeing the same old, charming house as before. It's cool here in the summer because of the high ceilings, and it creates a cozy atmosphere in the winter.”

The interior of the restaurant isn't very spacious; it's a small room with only about 5-6 tables, placed quite close together. However, customers here try to maintain order, speaking at a moderate volume, creating a very comfortable atmosphere.

The unique architecture and exquisite decorative art, expertly crafted by the owner, create a harmonious blend. Everything exudes a warm, old-fashioned yet remarkably fresh atmosphere.

I chose my favorite drink, and one that many people fondly remember at Loading T: egg coffee. Unlike other cafes, each cup of egg coffee here is meticulously prepared by Mr. Son, and what makes it unique is the addition of a touch of cinnamon, creating an unusually delicious aftertaste for this special combination.

"For the roasted and ground egg coffee, I'll add a touch of cinnamon. Hot egg coffee is strong; for those unfamiliar with it, it can taste bitter when the cup is half empty because the coffee is quite concentrated. Iced egg coffee, on the other hand, has a lighter and more refreshing taste," Mr. Son said.

Egg coffee is a Hanoi specialty that isn't only sold in autumn and winter, but it becomes especially delicious when the weather turns chilly. Egg coffee is made from fresh chicken eggs, sugar, milk, coffee... The combination might sound off-putting to some because of the fishy taste, but once you try it, you'll have a surprising experience.

Loading T is a space where the owner can indulge his passion for coffee and antiques. Mr. Son also hopes that Loading T will be more than just a place to enjoy drinks; it's also a place where people can take the time to "reload" everything.

“People mainly come to Loading T through word of mouth. Sometimes I even worry that it will be too crowded and there won't be enough seats to serve everyone. Western tourists often come here carrying a travel guide. I casually asked around and found out the name of my restaurant was in that book. I don't even know when Loading T was officially opened,” said Tuan Son.

The music here is mostly classic French music, gentle, soothing, and very pleasant. Loading T's menu is diverse, offering coffee, tea, smoothies, and more. All the drink recipes and preparation are done by the owner and his wife, so the flavors are almost always unique.

One thing I've observed quite closely, both before and now, is that despite constantly rushing in and out because of the large number of customers, Mr. Son always pays attention to each person, asking about the taste of their drinks, and sometimes even offering them an extra cup of fragrant tea. I think that besides the factors mentioned above, Mr. Son's enthusiasm and hospitality are major advantages that make everyone who comes here want to return again.

When I asked Mr. Son about his plans to expand the shop further, he shared: "This is great already. People are suggesting we open other places, but I still want Loading T to stay in this one location. Currently, the number of customers is increasing day by day, and the potential is growing bigger every day."

For coffee connoisseurs in the capital, Loading T is probably no longer an unfamiliar name. It not only attracts customers with its unique and unusual drinks and classic ambiance in a French-style villa, but everything here is also "very tasteful" and "very Hanoi."

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao