Is Coffee Popular in Korea? (Solved & Explained!)

Coffee is very popular in Korea. While most people may not consider Korea a coffee hotspot , they have a unique culture around cafés and coffee drinking. In fact, they even have a cocktail incorporating coffee and their favorite alcoholic spirit, Soju.

But, anyone familiar with Koreans shouldn’t be surprised at this. It fits in with their highly social natures, where spending time with friends and family is a top priority. Regardless, Koreans love coffee and the statistics show it.

Which Brands of Coffee Are Most Popular in Korea?

Next to Starbucks, Maxim instant coffee is very popular in Korea. What’s great is that you can purchase it from the comfort of your home without having to step on a plane. It will ship right to your door. They tend to be one of the largest importers of Southeast Asian beans that are mostly 100% Arabica.

How Many Coffee Shops and Cafés Are in Korea?

There are over 18,000 coffee shops and cafés in Seoul, Korea. With a population of 10 million people, that’s quite a few cafés. In some sections of the city, there are streets that line with 20 to 30 different coffee shops. However, Starbucks has more cafes in Seoul than in any other major city in the world.

But there are over 70,000 coffee shops throughout the whole of South Korea. This number comes supported by how Korea is responsible for 6% of the Asian market consumption of coffee each year and that number continues to increase.

What Kinds of Cafés Are There in Korea?

What constitutes a café is different in Korean than in the USA. This is a major component to Korean culture and almost anything/everything is a café. They incorporate unusual and interesting themes such as featuring things like cats, flowers, board games, virtual reality and toys, to name a few.

Such themes allow for spending time with animals, friends or enjoying other aspects that people usually can’t at home. This is because Koreans live with a large family and usually in a small space, so things like having pets or friends over for playing games is next to impossible.

However, the boom of coffee consumption fostered by Starbucks has brought about a myriad of café types. They include:

• Chains: National and international chains riddle the streets of Seoul. Aside from Starbucks, there’s Ediya, Coffee Bean, Mega Coffee, Angel-In-Us, Dunkin’ Donuts, Twosome and Tom N Tom as well.
• Independent Establishments: These are small, local cafés that provide high-quality coffee and are better than major chains in regards to taste. Plus, they have the most unique coffee drinks.
• Themed Cafés: Aside from the ones mentioned earlier, many cafés will play on a particular theme or topic. But, it’s not uncommon for the establishment to focus more on their theme than the quality of coffee.
• Teahouses: Although less common, there are traditional teahouses that serve coffee in the areas around Insadong, Gwanghwamun and Bukcheon Hanok Village.

How Many Cups of Coffee Do Koreans Drink on Average?

On average, Koreans drink 12⅓ cups of coffee per week. That’s nearly two cups per day, but this is among college and high school ages rather than older folks. However, that’s not to say elder generations don’t enjoy coffee, but the concentration of coffee shops does tend to be around colleges and universities.

When Was Coffee Introduced to Korea?

King Gojong first tried coffee in 1896 and since has spread like wildfire throughout the country, but particularly in Seoul. However, for the first few decades, its introduction only allowed those in royal and noble classes to enjoy it.

In the 1980s, Koreans began drinking instant types of coffees and they’ve been incredibly popular ever since. But Korean coffee culture didn’t become what it is today until Starbucks introduced blended coffee beverages in 1999.

What Makes Korean Coffee Culture So Special?

There are several aspects to Korean coffee culture that makes it stand out from others in the world. First of all, Koreans are a highly social people. The café offers a place for people to meet while sitting amid a unique attraction. Because education is a highly valued virtue in Korea, they give students a place to study and complete homework.

Also, children live at home with their parents until they get married. This means they live at home long into their young adult lives and it’s really expensive to live on one’s own. So, cafés provide the perfect getaway for dating, hanging out and getting some private time.

Therefore, cafés are excellent for young adults and minors who aren’t of legal age to go to the bars or enjoy other types of nightlife. Cafés can be vibrant and lively like a club or they can be quiet and calm like a library. There’s a café for every type of purpose, vibe and theme.

What Kinds of Coffee Drinks Do They Serve in Korea?

Koreans love instant coffee because of how fast and inexpensive it is. But, they also seem to enjoy lattes, Americano coffees and canned coffee from a convenience store (which is not like the American experience at all).

However, there is one coffee drink unique to Korea and that’s there Soju Iced Latte. Soju is a distilled rice spirit and a notorious part of the country’s history. A Soju Iced Latte is a desert cocktail that uses regular brewed or instant coffee. All you do is make or get a coffee the way you like it (iced latte style is best) and add two ounces of Soju.

What Is the Price for Coffee in Korea?

On average, it costs nearly $8.00 for a single cup of hot coffee. Fancier blended drinks can cost in excess of $15.00 depending on where you go. That said, major chain coffee shops will often have less expensive prices for their coffees. But, the best blended coffee drinks are at local, independent cafés.