What are the origins of egg soda and where is it popular?

What is egg soda?

Egg soda most often refers to Vietnamese soda sua hot ga. It is crafted with club soda, egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk and served over ice with a layer of foam on top. It tastes rich and custardy and fizzy, and has no caffeine.

Where does egg soda come from?

It likely began in Vietnam as a substitute for milk during the French war, when milk was scarce. According to one food writer, a bartender whipped an egg to mimic the richness of milk. The exact date and inventor are not documented, so treat the origin story as probable, not proven.

Where is it popular?

• Vietnam: common at cafes and street stalls.
• The United States: mainly sold at Vietnamese restaurants.
• Ordering tip: ask for it less sweet if you do not want the full amount of condensed milk.

How is it made?

A typical home recipe uses one large egg yolk, about 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and club soda. Whisk the yolk and condensed milk until pale, pour over ice, then add the soda. Some versions add cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or orange rind.

Is the raw yolk safe?

Raw eggs can carry salmonella. One way to reduce the risk is to use pasteurized eggs or to pasteurize the egg gently in warm water before using it, as some recipes suggest. Children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weak immune systems should avoid drinks made with raw egg. Check with your health authority for the current guidance.

Egg soda vs egg cream

The egg cream name has several theories (the foam, a misheard French phrase, an early version with eggs, or Yiddish), and none is certain.