Cafés in Korea — Why They Are Literally Everywhere

Korea, the Land of Cafés

When I arrived in Seoul 12 years ago, I didn't drink coffee. Today, I average three 아메리카노 (Americanos) a day. Korea turned me into a caffeine addict, and I'm not alone — this country has a relationship with coffee that borders on obsession.

To give you an idea: Seoul has over 18,000 cafés — more than New York City. South Korea has the highest number of cafés per capita in the world. In my Mapo neighborhood, there are literally 7 cafés on a single 200-meter street. And they're all full.

The 아메리카노 (Americano): The Unofficial National Drink

In France, you order a "café." In Italy, an "espresso." In Korea, it's the 아메리카노 (Americano) — an espresso diluted with hot (or cold) water. It's THE default drink. When a Korean says "커피 마시러 갈래?" (keopi masireo gallae — shall we grab coffee?), they mean 아메리카노.

Why Americano?

The most common theory is that coffee became popular in Korea through American soldiers during the Korean War. They diluted their espresso with water — hence the name "Americano." This simple, accessible drink became the standard.

The remarkable fact: in Korea, an 아이스 아메리카노 (aiseu Americano — iced Americano) is drunk year-round, even in winter with -15°C outside. You'll see Koreans bundled in puffy jackets clutching their iced glasses. It's almost an act of bravery.

Types of Cafés in Korea

프랜차이즈 카페 (Franchise Cafés)

Major chains dominate the landscape:

• 스타벅스 (Starbucks) — Over 1,900 locations in Korea, the largest Asian market after China and Japan. Korean limited-edition Starbucks tumblers are passionately collected.
• 이디야 (Ediya) — The most widespread Korean chain, with more affordable prices
• 투썸플레이스 (Twosome Place) — Premium café with quality pastries
• 메가커피 (Mega Coffee) — The budget café phenomenon (아메리카노 at 1,500₩, about $1.10)
• 컴포즈커피 (Compose Coffee) — Direct competitor to Mega Coffee, also rapidly expanding

스터디카페 (Study Cafés)

The concept is unique to Korea: cafés designed specifically for studying. You pay by the hour (about 1,500-2,500₩/hour), with access to a partitioned individual desk, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and included beverages.

스터디카페 (seuteodi kape) are the refuge of high schoolers preparing for the 수능 (suneung — Korean SAT) and civil service exam candidates. Some are open 24/7. The atmosphere is library-silent — all conversation is forbidden.

테마카페 (Themed Cafés)

Korea has pushed the themed café concept to unimaginable levels:

• 고양이카페 (goyangi kape — cat café) — Coffee surrounded by cats
• 강아지카페 (gangaji kape — dog café) — Same concept with dogs
• 라쿤카페 (rakun kape — raccoon café) — Yes, actual raccoons
• 보드게임카페 (bodeu geim kape — board game café) — Board games + coffee
• 만화카페 (manhwa kape — comic café) — Thousands of manhwa to read
• 플라워카페 (peullawo kape — flower café) — Entirely floral décor
• 한옥카페 (hanok kape) — Café in a traditional Korean house

My favorite: a café in the Ikseon-dong neighborhood housed in a renovated 한옥 (hanok), with an inner garden and traditional tea. The contrast between centuries-old architecture and clients in K-Fashion outfits is beautiful.

대형카페 (Mega Cafés)

The recent trend: giant cafés, often in suburbs, with spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces. Some span several hundred square meters with rooftop terraces, gardens, and panoramic views. Koreans sometimes drive 1-2 hours just to visit a beautiful café and take Instagram photos.

Korean Café Vocabulary

Ordering Like a Pro

Useful Phrases

• 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요 (aiseu Americano han jan juseyo) — "One iced Americano, please"
• 핫으로 주세요 (haseuro juseyo) — "Hot, please"
• 설탕 빼 주세요 (seoltang ppae juseyo) — "No sugar, please"
• 여기서 마실게요 (yeogiseo masilgeyo) — "I'll drink here" (dine in)
• 포장이요 (pojangiyo) — "To go"
• 텀블러에 담아 주세요 (teombeulleo-e dama juseyo) — "In my tumbler, please"

Korean Café Culture: More Than a Drink

The Café as Living Space

In Korea, coffee isn't just a drink — it's a way of life. Koreans spend hours in cafés for:

• 데이트 (deiteu) — Dates. The classic Korean first date is at a café.
• 공부 (gongbu) — Studying. Cafés are alternative libraries.
• 미팅 (miting) — Informal business meetings.
• 인스타 (inseuta) — Taking Instagram photos. Café design is as important as coffee taste.

Café Hopping

카페투어 (kape tueo — café tour) is a popular pastime. Koreans visit multiple cafés in a day, photographing each drink and interior for social media. Entire neighborhoods are renowned for their cafés: 연남동 (Yeonnam-dong), 성수동 (Seongsu-dong), 익선동 (Ikseon-dong), 한남동 (Hannam-dong).

Coffee Prices

Average café prices in Korea vary enormously:

• 편의점 커피 (convenience store) — 1,000-1,500₩ ($0.70-1.10)
• 메가커피/컴포즈 (budget chains) — 1,500-2,500₩ ($1.10-1.80)
• 이디야 (Ediya) — 3,000-4,500₩ ($2.20-3.30)
• 스타벅스 (Starbucks) — 4,500-6,500₩ ($3.30-4.80)
• Independent café — 5,000-8,000₩ ($3.70-5.90)

My Favorite Café in Seoul After 12 Years

After testing hundreds of cafés, my daily ritual is simple: an 아이스 아메리카노 at 1,500₩ from Mega Coffee in the morning, and a specialty coffee at a small independent on weekends. The value of Korean budget chains is unbeatable.

If you visit Seoul, I recommend 성수동 (Seongsu-dong) — the former industrial district transformed into a design café paradise. Every week, a new café opens with a concept crazier than the last.

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