If you're a Vietnamese coffee lover living in New Zealand, you know that when a craving hits, the first instinct is to rush to the nearest café or restaurant for that strong, nostalgic brew. But what about those cozy days when you want to brew authentic Vietnamese coffee at home? This week, I’m excited to introduce a new discovery: What Da Phin, a brand offering a variety of Vietnamese coffee beans, perfect for your home café.

How I Discovered What Da Phin

My journey with What Da Phin started quite randomly—one day, I stumbled upon their beautiful coffee phin (Vietnamese coffee filter) while browsing Etsy. Curious, I found out the brand is based in Melbourne, Australia. Not long after, I reached out to them and asked, "Can you deliver to New Zealand?" Fast forward to today: I’m here sharing everything about their coffee starter kit, what’s inside, and my thoughts on the coffee experience.

About What Da Phin: A Brand with Heart

What Da Phin was founded by Ken and Nhu, two Vietnamese Australians whose parents migrated to Australia after the war to start a new journey.
Growing up, Ken and Nhu started to learn more about their Vietnamese roots. A meaningful trip back to Vietnam—exploring the land, tasting the food, and listening to family stories—sparked a calling. They realised they wanted to reconnect with their homeland and share its beauty through culture, flavours, and coffee.

Their mission is simple yet profound: to create moments where people can gather, share stories, and experience the richness of Vietnamese culture through a humble cup of coffee. And that heartfelt message truly shines through in every product.

Their Coffee Collection: Game On, Powerlift, and Humble

What Da Phin offers are three thoughtfully crafted coffee blends:

Powerlift: Made from 100% Robusta beans, this one is bold and intense. Perfect for those who love a strong, traditional Vietnamese coffee, especially when mixed with condensed milk. Expect a double hit of caffeine and that heart-racing excitement reminiscent of your first coffee experience in Vietnam.
Humble: A smooth and fruity Arabica coffee sourced from Da Lat. It’s light, fragrant, and slightly sweet—ideal for those who prefer a more delicate and easy-drinking coffee.
Game On: A 70% Robusta and 30% Arabica blend that perfectly balances strength and sweetness. It offers the robustness of Robusta with the fruity notes of Arabica, making it versatile for any brew method.

You can customize your order by bean size (250g to 1kg) and grind preference (whole bean or ground). Prices start at $20–$21 NZD per 250g bag, and if you subscribe for regular deliveries (every 2–4 weeks), you save an additional 15%.

All beans are sourced directly from Vietnam then roasted and packed carefully in Melbourne—offering you the perfect balance between authenticity and freshness.

What Da Phin coffee collection — Their coffee collection

The Coffee Starter Pack: Perfect for Beginners

If you’re new to Vietnamese coffee and wondering where to start, the What Da Phin Coffee Starter Pack is an amazing choice. It includes:

1 bag of Humble (Arabica)
1 bag of Game On (Robusta/Arabica blend)
1 aluminium phin filter (with 5 colour options!)
1 can of Ong Tho condensed milk (the only man who produces milk)
A handwritten thank-you note from Ken and Nhu

All this for just $61, currently on special! This set makes a thoughtful gift or a perfect starting point for anyone who wants to brew authentic Vietnamese coffee at home.

My Coffee Experience with What Da Phin

Now for the exciting part: my personal review! The delivery took around 2–3 weeks—pretty standard. Upon opening the box, I was greeted with a lovely handwritten note that instantly made me smile. The coffee packaging impressed me: resealable bags with a one-way vent valve to preserve freshness and aroma after every use. The aluminium phin filter felt lightweight yet sturdy, with even hole distribution for smooth extraction. I chose a red phin for luck—beautiful and vibrant! I also loved that the phin comes with a press-down compressor (not a twist type), which gave me better control over brewing pressure. A raised border around the compressor helps apply even pressure—such a thoughtful design!

Tasting Humble

I first brewed the Humble Arabica. I drank it black to savour its true flavours:

Light body
Bright fruity aroma
Mild sourness with a clean finish

It’s perfect for daily drinking, cold brews, and V60 pour-overs. The light-medium roast beautifully highlights the bean’s natural sweetness and floral notes. Truly, Humble lives up to its name—subtle, bright, and comforting.

Tasting Game On

Next, I brewed the Game On blend. The moment I opened the bag, a rich, roasted aroma, like corn and chestnuts, filled the air. This brewed coffee had a thicker body, deeper chocolate notes, and a bolder, lingering bitterness with a hint of honey sweetness. When mixed with condensed milk, it created that classic, sweet-and-strong Vietnamese coffee flavour that many of us grew up loving. Game On instantly became my personal favourite for those mornings when I needed an extra boost!

Vietnamese coffee starter kit — The Coffee Starter Kit

Final Thoughts: Why I Recommend What Da Phin

If you’re looking to start your Vietnamese coffee journey or gift a meaningful experience to someone, I highly recommend giving What Da Phin a try.

✨ What I love most about them:

Authentic Vietnamese flavours
Thoughtfully designed starter kits
Accessible pricing and subscription discounts
Warm, personalised touches with every order

Plus, they offer 10% off not just your first order, but also your second! And besides coffee, they also sell other coffee tools and accessories to help you create your dream home café setup. Check out their website here.

A huge thank you to Ken and Nhu for crafting such a beautiful bridge between Vietnam and the world through their products. I’m so grateful to experience a taste of home here in New Zealand—and I hope their brand continues to thrive, bringing more moments of joy to Vietnamese coffee lovers everywhere.

Introducing What Da Phin