báo cà phê—According to statistics, Koreans drink an average of 12.3 cups of coffee per week. In Seoul alone, there are more than 18,000 coffee shops, and the city has the highest number of Starbucks stores in the world. This shows that Koreans are another nation deeply in love with coffee. However, unlike Japan, where coffee culture is marked by a meticulous pursuit of quality, Korea’s coffee culture is not as strictly focused on craftsmanship. Let’s take a journey through Korea’s unique coffee culture.
Development History
Coffee has long been an important element of Korean culture. It was introduced in the 19th century by Western missionaries and has since become one of the most significant commodities in its consumer market—and one of the most popular beverages in Korea. According to Kang Jun-man’s “King Gojong Goes to Starbucks”, Emperor Gojong was the first Korean to taste coffee. In 1896, after fleeing Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was under Japanese control, he sought refuge at the Russian legation in Korea, where the Russian ambassador offered him his first cup of coffee. Gojong grew fond of the drink and later built a special pavilion to enjoy coffee with his guests.
At first, coffee in Korea was considered an expensive “herb.” Because it came from the West, Koreans were curious about both Western culture and this new beverage. At that time, only the wealthy could afford it, and coffee symbolized Westernization, modernization, and high social status. In its early days, Koreans referred to coffee shops as “dabang” (다방). The first Korean coffeehouse was the “Sontag Hotel,” established in 1902 in Seoul’s Jung-gu district, serving as a networking and intellectual exchange hub for the elite. Modern-style cafés later appeared in Myeong-dong in 1927, eventually spreading to Jongno and Chungmuro. Initially, cafés were limited to royalty and high officials, but soon they became gathering spots for politicians, artists, and businesspeople. Koreans quickly became fascinated with cafés, enjoying the atmosphere as much as the coffee itself.
In the mid-20th century, cafés continued to cater to wealthy and influential groups, not ordinary people. As centers of debate about politics, economics, culture, education, art, and religion, these venues came under strict government regulation. In this sense, Korean coffeehouses of the time resembled late-17th-century Parisian cafés, functioning as social institutions.
The Korean War in the 1950s devastated the economy and culture, and for a long time afterward, Koreans had little interest in coffee. It wasn’t until the 1960s that coffee culture revived. “Teahouses” were no longer exclusive to the upper class, and more young people and middle-class citizens began drinking coffee. Coffeehouses became dating spots, social venues, and rest areas for office workers. Still, most cafés served instant coffee, and people visited not just for the beverage itself but for the space to relax or socialize.
In the 1980s, competition among cafés intensified. With some independent shops roasting their own beans, Koreans began tasting freshly roasted, high-quality coffee. To stand out, cafés adopted unique decorations—such as pink lighting and indoor waterfalls. These new-style “dabang” started calling themselves cafés to distinguish from the older ones, focusing more on coffee varieties rather than tea and sodas.
In 1999, the first Starbucks opened near Ewha Womans University—one of Korea’s top schools and a youth hub—sparking a nationwide Starbucks craze. From then on, Korean coffee culture truly took off. Since 2011, Starbucks has opened about 80 new stores annually, and Seoul soon became the city with the highest number of Starbucks outlets worldwide.
Unique Cafés
The Starbucks-led coffee boom paved the way for countless local coffee shops. By 2022, Seoul had become the city with the most coffeehouses in the world. In trendy neighborhoods and youth hotspots, it’s common to find 20–30 coffee shops in a single district. For young Koreans, cafés are primarily social spaces, with coffee itself playing a secondary role as a thirst-quencher during gatherings.
In 2013, it was estimated that Korea consumed about 657,000 tons of coffee, with an average per capita consumption of 2.3 kg. However, instant coffee still accounted for the majority of total consumption, and major coffee brands fiercely competed in this segment. In Korea, cafés generally fall into three categories: chain cafés, independent cafés, and themed cafés.
The biggest chains include Starbucks, Ediya, and Mega Coffee. Ediya and Mega Coffee are more affordable, similar to China’s Luckin or Cotti Coffee, while Starbucks positions itself as a higher-end option. Like Starbucks, these chains also serve juice, tea, cakes, and sandwiches. Independent cafés focus more on specialty coffee, often run by local brands. They carefully manage bean selection, roasting, and brewing to provide high-quality beverages, usually at higher prices. Their interiors and atmosphere are designed for studying or solitary enjoyment. Themed cafés, on the other hand, emphasize unique experiences rather than coffee quality. Popular themes include floral cafés, animal cafés, and board game cafés.
Starbucks’ entry significantly influenced Korean coffee culture by introducing the “third space”—a place where people can enjoy solitude or gather with friends. Foreign chains, with diverse offerings and stylish designs, encouraged local independent cafés to innovate with their own distinctive features.
Coffee Brands
Starbucks is the most recognizable foreign coffee brand in Korea, but several successful local brands have also emerged:
Ediya Coffee: Founded in 2001, it is one of Korea’s largest chains, with over 3,000 outlets offering affordable, high-quality coffee.
Paik’s Coffee: Established in 2006 by celebrity chef Paik Jong-won, this budget-friendly chain grew to over 1,000 stores by 2022. It gained popularity by offering large-sized instant coffee drinks to challenge the idea that “cheap coffee means low quality.”
Mega Coffee: Founded in 2015, it ranks second in store count nationwide, growing rapidly thanks to its large sizes and low prices.
Hollys Coffee: One of Korea’s most iconic chains, known for its American-style ambiance, focus on bean selection, and roasting techniques.
Caffé Bene: Founded in 2008 in Seoul, it became popular with cream lattes and desserts, emphasizing comfort, relaxation, and sweet pairings.
A Different Coffee Culture
As mentioned earlier, most Koreans are not as particular about coffee quality as the Japanese. Instant coffee dominates the market, with nearly every household, office, and restaurant stocking it. Convenience stores, gas stations, transport hubs, and even vending machines sell instant coffee in paper cups. For many Koreans, coffee serves a functional purpose: with their fast-paced lifestyle and long working hours, they rely on it to stay alert. Its convenience and affordability make instant coffee widely accessible.
In addition to instant coffee, ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee also has a strong market presence. These are pre-mixed beverages with sugar and milk powder, packaged in cartons or cans, ready to drink by simply adding water and ice.
For most Koreans, cafés are primarily social venues where people gather with friends or conduct business meetings in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The most popular drink is iced Americano. In summer, it’s common to see almost everyone carrying one, and even in the freezing winters, Koreans continue drinking it. On social media, the trend is humorously dubbed “ddongseu-ae” (“frozen to death Americano”), meaning “I’d rather freeze than give up iced Americano.”
