Save money. Save time. No hassle. Make your coffee the way you want it.
There are many reasons for DIY coffee.
Tools to brew
You will need hot water + a brewing method – that’s all. A brewing method can be: French press, Phin, or instant coffee. Of course, you’ll need coffee beans (or instant coffee, either one).
Hot Water
Most accommodation in SE Asia provide a hot water kettle in the room. If not, they can provide one or will have hot water available in the common area.
Brewing w/ a French Press
French press (~$10) brewing is the closest to what Westerners would consider “normal, regular, coffee”. You can buy one for about $10 in SEA. It is lightweight, but it does take up some space in the bag.
Vietnamese Phin vs. French Press
If a French press is too big to carry around, then try using a Vietnamese Phin (~$1.5) as they are smaller and lighter.
However, a Vietnamese Phin and French press do not brew the same style or quantity of coffee, so it might contrast with your preference.
A French press will get at least 2 cups of coffee, whereas a Phin will brew 1 small cup that is concentrated & strong in caffeine content.
Prices in SE Asia for a Bag of Coffee Beans
Most bags come ground, so no need to grind your own beans. However, if you prefer to grind your own, there often are non-ground bags of beans available.
Vietnam
For Viet coffee brands and where to find them, see this link -> Vietnamese coffee brands.
| $3 is common | 500 g | grocery store |
| $1 – $4 and above | 100 g | store selling only coffee beans |
Thailand
| $4.5 – 7 | 250 g | grocery store |
Malaysia
| $7 – $9 | 250 g | grocery store |
Indonesia
| $0.75 – $2 | 150 g (60% of 250 g) | grocery store |
Save Money
Rough estimate for Payoff
Making your own brew is an investment that really pays off.
Payoff: French Press
most common
French press ………………………………… $10
coffee beans ………………………………… $5
coffee – takeout price ……………….. $1.25 USD
# of coffees to break even ……….. 12 coffees
least common
French press ………………………………… $10
coffee beans ………………………………… $5
coffee – takeout price ……………….. $0.75 USD
# of coffees to break even ……….. 20 coffees
Payoff: Phin
A Phin is a great souvenir, whether you use it or not! Though, if it suits your taste then below is the pay-off point.
most common
French press ………………………………… $1.5
coffee beans ………………………………… $5
coffee – takeout price ……………….. $1.25 USD
# of coffees to break even ……….. 5.2 coffees
least common
French press ………………………………… $1.5
coffee beans ………………………………… $5
coffee – takeout price ……………….. $0.75 USD
# of coffees to break even ……….. 8.7 coffees
Payoff: Instant Coffee
Instant coffee pays-off instantly! It does not require anything other than hot water, and it is always cheaper than buying take-out coffee.
French press ………………………………… n/a
coffee beans ………………………………… $3.50
coffee – takeout price ……………….. $1.25 USD
# of coffees to break even ……….. 2.8 coffees
Save Time
Brew from the comfort of home – you don’t even have to get dressed.
Within 5 minutes you’ve boiled water and have your brew ready to go!
That’s 5 minutes vs. the 15-20 minutes it takes to
… get dressed 👕👖
-> go outside 🏠
-> walk to get coffee 🚶➡️
-> order/pay/wait/receive your order 💳⏳☕
-> walk back home 🏠.
-> That’s just too much work!
GemsOfTravel preferers DIY coffee at home most days, not all. It’s a no-brainer, especially if you want a coffee round #2! Brewing your own coffee just makes sense.
Coffee Made to Your Preference
If you prefer American-style coffee, then you will need to make your own.
Use a French press, which is as closed to American style as you will find, or purchase a coffee maker (if you can find one for sale, locally … check buying online in SE Asia).
American-style potted coffee is only found in Starbucks, it’s just not a common brew method used in SE Asia.
🚫 However, Starbucks will rarely make it since no-one orders it and they do not want to loose money (aka “the machine doesn’t work”).
✅ Good news is that they will make a pour-over coffee for the same price, which is close enough?