555_fat_miilk_phin_bar_close_up_vietnamese_coffee_shop.jpg

Fat Miilk
phin bar

HOSPITALITY: COFFEE SHOP
Chicago, IL

Product Design / Fixtures & Displays / Engineering / Custom Fabrication / Woodwork / Metalwork / Installation

Located at the vibrant intersection of Broadway and Argyle Street, Fat Miilk is a Vietnamese coffee lifestyle brand founded by Chicago entrepreneur Lan Ho. Specializing in Vietnamese-style coffee—known for its bold flavor and served with condensed milk—the flagship coffee shop offers cold and hot coffee drinks, snacks, packaged Robusta coffee beans native to Vietnam, and “phins,” a traditional slow-drip coffee filter.

Custom batch production Phin Bar coffee brewing station, designed and fabricated by 555 International for Fat Miilk’s flagship Vietnamese coffee shop in Chicago.

Exterior view of Fat Miilk’s Phin Bar, a custom batch brewing station designed and fabricated by 555 International, showcasing Vietnamese coffee brewing techniques.

Close-up of slow-drip coffee brewing process at Fat Miilk's custom batch brewing station, designed and fabricated by 555 International.

Fat Miilk founder Lan Ho serving Vietnamese thin-drip coffee brewed at the custom Phin Bar.

Fat Miilk began its journey in 2020 during the height of the pandemic — a time when the idea of a brick-and-mortar establishment seemed daunting. While focusing on e-commerce and pop-up events, Lan realized the importance of in-person experiences for food and beverage, recognizing a demand for a physical location where customers can try and consistently enjoy her products which led to build a flagship coffee and retail shop.

With experience as a restaurant manager and operating her business from a small kitchen, she approached 555 with the challenge of designing and fabricating an efficient brewing solution for large batches in a small space with limited staff. This patent-pending design allows multiple "phins" to brew simultaneously, collecting coffee in a trough that feeds into a refrigerated keg, enabling quick service and batch production while preserving the traditional brewing method.

Designed to engage and educate customers, the Phin Lab serves as a focal point in the coffee shop. Positioned near large windows, it invites passersby to witness the coffee-making process, enhancing the overall experience. With custom shelving and phin cutouts crafted for optimal functionality, tasks that once took hours can now be completed in under an hour, allowing Fat Miilk to serve high-quality coffee consistently without straining its staff. By merging beauty with operational efficiency, the Phin Lab not only showcases the art of Vietnamese coffee brewing but also reflects Fat Miilk's commitment to company culture, product quality, and exceptional customer experience.