Last updated: January 2026
In 1989, Korean coffee was terrible.
Instant coffee in paper cups. “다방” (dabang) coffee shops with watered-down drinks. Nothing like what you’d find in Seattle or Melbourne.
Now? Korea has the most competitive cafe scene in the world.
I watched this transformation happen. The first Starbucks in 1999. The local roasters fighting back. The aesthetic cafes. The specialty coffee movement.
35 years from instant coffee to world-class espresso. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Korea has more cafes than any country.
Seriously.
Over 100,000 cafes nationwide.
More Starbucks per capita than the USA.
Cafes on every corner, every floor.
Why? And how do you navigate it?
Here’s your guide.
Korea’s Coffee Obsession
By the Numbers
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Cafes in Korea | 100,000+ |
| Coffee consumption | 353 cups/person/year |
| Starbucks locations | 1,800+ |
| Cafe industry value | $8+ billion |
Koreans drink more coffee than kimchi servings.
That’s saying something.
Why So Many Cafes?
- Meeting culture — Koreans meet at cafes, not homes
- Study culture — Students live in cafes
- Work culture — Remote work, business meetings
- Date culture — First dates always at cafes
- Instagram culture — Aesthetic cafes = content
Cafes are Korea’s living rooms.
Korea’s Coffee Evolution
| Era | Coffee Scene | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | Instant only, 다방 culture | Terrible. Drank tea instead. |
| 1990s | First cafes appear | Novelty, but still not great |
| 1999-2005 | Starbucks arrives | Finally drinkable coffee! |
| 2005-2015 | Local chains explode | Ediya, A Twosome Place everywhere |
| 2015-now | Specialty coffee boom | World-class. Better than most countries. |
The Starbucks moment:
When Starbucks opened in Ewha in 1999, Koreans went crazy. Lines around the block. People paying 4,000원 for coffee when instant was 500원.
“It’ll never last,” people said. “Koreans won’t pay that much for coffee.”
Now there are over 1,700 Starbucks in Korea. And thousands of local cafes even better.
Korean coffee culture now:
Koreans drink more coffee than kimchi servings per day. That’s not an exaggeration.
“아아” (ah-ah) — slang for iced Americano — is basically a national drink. I see people carrying iced Americanos in December, in the snow.
I’ve become one of them. “아아 주세요” is probably my most-used Korean phrase.
My Favorite Seoul Cafes (After 25+ Years of Exploring)
For Coffee Quality:
| Cafe | Location | What I Order |
|---|---|---|
| Fritz Coffee | Mapo | Pour over, single origin |
| Namusairo | Seongsu | Any espresso drink |
| Center Coffee | Yeonnam | Flat white |
| Felt Coffee | Bukchon | Cold brew |
For Atmosphere:
| Cafe | Vibe | Why I Go |
|---|---|---|
| Onion Seongsu | Industrial factory | Architecture, space, bread |
| Anthracite | Converted factory | Old machinery aesthetics |
| Zapangi | Pink vending machine entrance | Fun, Instagrammable |
| Cafe Highwaist | Hanok cafe | Traditional meets modern |
My Personal Regular:
There’s a tiny roaster in Mangwon, near my apartment. No English name. Maybe 8 seats. The owner roasts beans himself.
5,000원 for the best pour-over I’ve had anywhere. No Instagram presence. Just great coffee.
Those are the real gems. Can’t find them on Google. Just have to wander.
Types of Korean Cafes
1. Franchise Cafes (프랜차이즈)
| Brand | Vibe | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks | International, reliable | $$$ |
| Twosome Place | Korean Starbucks | $$ |
| Ediya | Budget-friendly | $ |
| Mega Coffee | Huge sizes, cheap | $ |
| Paik’s Coffee | No-frills, cheap | $ |
| Hollys | Middle-tier | $$ |
| Cafe Bene | Waffles + coffee | $$ |
Budget tip: Mega Coffee and Paik’s
have large Americanos for 1,500-2,000원.
2. Aesthetic Cafes (감성 카페)
Designed for Instagram.
Features:
- Unique interiors
- Photogenic drinks
- Art installations
- Rooftops with views
Usually independent, not chains.
Higher prices (6,000-12,000원/drink).
3. Study Cafes (스터디 카페)
Not regular cafes.
Paid workspace by the hour.
- Quiet environment
- Individual desks
- Outlets everywhere
- Usually 24 hours
- 1,500-3,000원/hour
Different from regular cafes.
4. Themed Cafes
| Theme | Example |
|---|---|
| Animal | Dog cafe, cat cafe, raccoon cafe |
| Character | Kakao Friends, Line Friends |
| Hanok | Traditional Korean house |
| Retro | 80s/90s Korean style |
| Nature | Plant-filled, greenhouse |
5. Dessert Cafes
Focus on sweets:
- Korean bingsu (shaved ice)
- Cakes and pastries
- Macarons
- Croissants
Often better desserts than coffee.
What to Order
Coffee Basics
| Drink | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Americano | 아메리카노 | amerikano |
| Latte | 라떼 | latte |
| Cappuccino | 카푸치노 | kapuchino |
| Mocha | 모카 | moka |
| Vanilla Latte | 바닐라라떼 | banilla latte |
| Caramel Macchiato | 카라멜마끼아또 | karamel makkiatto |
Hot vs Iced
| Type | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hot | 뜨거운 거 | tteugeoun geo |
| Iced | 아이스 | aiseu |
Fun fact: “아아” (ah-ah) = slang for iced Americano.
You’ll hear it constantly.
Sizes
| Size | Korean |
|---|---|
| Small | 스몰 |
| Medium | 미디움 |
| Large | 라지 |
Some cafes: Regular/Large only.
Some cafes: Tall/Grande/Venti (Starbucks).
Non-Coffee Options
| Drink | Korean | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea latte | 녹차라떼 | Sweet, creamy |
| Strawberry latte | 딸기라떼 | Popular in spring |
| Sweet potato latte | 고구마라떼 | Fall favorite |
| Citron tea | 유자차 | Traditional, sour-sweet |
| Misutgaru latte | 미숫가루라떼 | Grain powder drink |
Cafe Etiquette
Time Limits
Some cafes have time limits:
- 1-2 hour limit (especially weekends)
- Check signs or ask staff
Outlets and WiFi
- Most cafes have outlets
- WiFi password on receipt or ask
- Some study-focused cafes have every seat wired
Ordering
| Style | Process |
|---|---|
| Counter | Order and pay first, find seat |
| Table service | Sit, use tablet/menu, pay after |
| Kiosk | Touch screen, pay, wait for number |
Most are counter service.
Pay first, get a number/buzzer.
Table Sharing
Busy cafes = table sharing expected.
Ask: “자리 있어요?” (jari isseoyo?) = Is this seat free?
Laptop Use
Generally acceptable.
But some cafes during busy times:
- No laptop zones
- Time limits for laptop users
Look for signs or ask.
Things I learned the hard way:
Time Limits Are Real
Some popular cafes limit you to 1-2 hours, especially on weekends.
I got kicked out of a Seongsu cafe once. Not rudely — but clearly. “다른 손님이 기다리고 있어요.” (Other customers are waiting.)
Now I check for time limit signs before sitting down.
Table Sharing
When cafes are full, strangers sit at your table.
First time this happened, I was confused. My stuff was there!
But it’s normal. They’ll use the empty seats. You don’t have to talk. Just coexist.
Ordering Before Sitting
Unlike Western cafes, you can’t grab a table first.
The process:
- Check if tables are available
- Order at counter
- Get your buzzer/number
- Find a seat
- Wait for your drink
I’ve seen tourists sit down first, then wonder why no one comes to take their order.
Studying Culture
Korean cafes are full of students and workers with laptops.
Some cafes welcome this (study cafes). Others don’t (limit hours, no laptops signs).
If everyone has textbooks out, it’s probably a study cafe. If everyone’s taking photos, it’s an aesthetic cafe. Read the room.
Famous Cafe Districts
Seongsu-dong
Seoul’s Brooklyn.
Converted warehouses.
Industrial aesthetic.
Most Instagrammable.
Must-visit:
- Café Onion (old factory)
- Nudake (minimal design)
- Mellower (coffee + plants)
Seongsu-dong has the best aesthetic cafes. Learn about this and other areas in our Best Neighborhoods in Seoul guide.
Yeonnam-dong
Near Hongdae, but calmer.
Gyeongui Line Forest Park area.
Trendy but relaxed.
Samcheong-dong
Traditional meets modern.
Near palaces.
Hanok cafes.
Artsy vibe.
Ikseon-dong
Hanok + hipster.
Tiny traditional buildings.
Instagrammable everything.
Gangnam/Apgujeong
Upscale and polished.
Celebrity sightings.
Expensive but beautiful.
Jeju Island
Korea’s cafe paradise.
Ocean view cafes.
Worth a trip just for cafes.
Hongdae also has amazing cafe streets. Check our Hongdae Guide for recommendations.
Unique Korean Cafe Experiences
Bingsu (빙수)
Korean shaved ice dessert.
Summer essential.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 팥빙수 | Red bean (classic) |
| 망고빙수 | Mango |
| 인절미빙수 | Rice cake + soybean |
| 오레오빙수 | Oreo |
Usually 10,000-18,000원.
Shareable (2-3 people).
Animal Cafes
| Animal | Experience |
|---|---|
| Dog cafe | Play with dogs |
| Cat cafe | Chill with cats |
| Raccoon cafe | Exotic, supervised |
| Sheep cafe | Yes, real sheep |
Cost: 10,000-15,000원 (includes drink).
Time: Usually 1-hour limit.
Note: Animal welfare varies.
Check reviews before visiting.
Hanok Cafes
Traditional Korean house setting.
- Floor seating (sometimes)
- Garden views
- Traditional tea options
Best in Bukchon, Insadong, Ikseon-dong.
Budget Tips
Cheap Coffee
| Cafe | Americano Price |
|---|---|
| Mega Coffee | 1,500원 |
| Paik’s Coffee | 1,500원 |
| Compose Coffee | 1,500원 |
| Ediya | 2,800원 |
| Convenience store | 1,500원 |
Free Water
Most cafes have self-serve water.
Look for water dispenser.
Sharing
Big drinks and desserts?
Share with friends.
Bingsu is always shareable.
Cafe Vocabulary
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| One Americano please | 아메리카노 하나요 | amerikano hanayo |
| Iced | 아이스 | aiseu |
| Hot | 핫 / 뜨거운 거 | hat / tteugeoun geo |
| Less sweet | 덜 달게 | deol dalge |
| To go | 테이크아웃 | teikeu-aut |
| For here | 매장이요 | maejang-iyo |
| WiFi password | 와이파이 비번 | waipai bibeon |
| Receipt | 영수증 | yeongsujeung |
Instagrammable Cafes in Seoul
| Cafe | Location | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Café Onion | Seongsu | Warehouse aesthetic |
| Nudake | Seongsu | Minimalist, art |
| Zapangi | Hongdae | Pink vending machine door |
| Stylenanda Pink Pool | Myeongdong | All pink everything |
| Greem Cafe | Samcheong | Garden rooftop |
| Anthracite | Hapjeong | Industrial, great coffee |
| Fritz | Multiple | European bakery vibe |
When to Visit Cafes
Avoid
- Lunch rush (12-1 PM)
- After-work (6-7 PM)
- Weekend afternoons
Best Times
- Weekday mornings
- Late afternoon (3-4 PM)
- Evening (after 8 PM)
Popular cafes have lines.
Plan around peak hours.
Cafes for Different Needs
| Need | Go To |
|---|---|
| Quiet work | Study cafe or franchise |
| Instagram photos | Aesthetic cafe |
| Good coffee | Specialty third-wave cafe |
| Quick & cheap | Mega Coffee, Paik’s |
| Date | Rooftop or view cafe |
| With kids | Avoid animal cafes (age limits) |
Common Questions
Is tipping expected?
No. Never at cafes.
Can I stay all day?
Some cafes yes, some no.
Look for time limit signs.
Do cafes have food?
Most have pastries/desserts.
Some have full meals.
Many allow outside food (check first).
Why are cafes so beautiful?
Competition.
100,000 cafes = must stand out.
Design is survival.
Final Thoughts
From terrible instant coffee to world-class cafes in 35 years.
Korea didn’t just adopt coffee culture. They perfected it.
The specialty roasters rival anything in Melbourne or Tokyo. The aesthetic cafes are designed with obsessive detail. The convenience — a great cafe on every block — is unmatched.
My daily routine now: walk to my local roaster, get a pour-over, work for a few hours. Surrounded by students, remote workers, retirees reading newspapers.
Korean cafe culture isn’t just about coffee. It’s about space. In a crowded city where apartments are small, cafes are living rooms.
Find your cafe. Become a regular. That’s how to experience Korea.
— Ted K
For traditional hanok cafes, head to Bukchon. Our Bukchon Hanok Village Guide covers the best spots.
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