Updated on December 15, 2024.
South Korea is slightly crazy about coffee and we love it.
According to Sangmee Bak, an Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, coffee had been a luxury enjoyed among the Korean upper class since before WWII. The drink then became popularized during the Korean War, when American soldiers introduced the locals to the wonders of instant coffee. By the time of the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Korea was seeing a boom in instant coffee consumption.
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On top of the South Korean economy prospering by the year, meaning that people needed the occasional caffeine boost to work their demanding jobs, coffee had become a status symbol at the same time. The popular watered-down coffee, which was weak in caffeine content and that was much more accessible to Koreans who had been used to instant coffee, was literally called the “American” coffee — the Americano.
It was only when the first Starbucks store landed in South Korea in 1999 when the popularity of weak Americano coffee was replaced in favor of espresso. Just at the time when diluted coffee was becoming so common that it was losing its American, fancy status, Starbucks introduced hard coffee as the new signal of sophistication. Now, there are more Starbucks in Seoul than in any other city in the world (Owuor, 2018.)
But Starbucks are hardly the only coffee shops in South Korea. Here are five inspirational, fun, and eccentric cafes in Seoul that will make you see just how excited South Koreans can get when it comes to coffee.
Greem Cafe 그림카페
South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Yeonnam-dong, Seongmisan-ro, 161-10 카페 1.5층
Enter this café and you’ll be trapped in the wondrous world of a 2D cartoon sketch. Everything from the furniture to the deco to the mugs are made of “paper” and drawn in pencil here. Take insta-worthy pictures with your cute still-3D self and pop some macaroons in your cheeks.
Ddong Café
Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul South Korea
If you already like coffee, you’ll obviously like coffee that comes in a toilet bowl. This one-of-a-kind fun-loving café draws all of its inspiration from poop, and somehow makes it delicious.
King’s Cross Harry Potter Cafe
417 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
As the name suggests, this is one of the cafes in Seoul themed off of the Harry Potter series, and offers butter beer and Hagrid’s birthday cakes to fulfill your every Potterhead dream. Come take a break and listen to the fantastical John Williams soundtrack during your day in this vibrant student neighborhood, Hongdae.
Fritz Coffee Company
17 Saechang-ro 2-gil, Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tucked inside a hanok (traditional Korean house) is a café that offers homemade snacks, retro stationery, and a cozy ambience. After sipping its prized drip coffee, maybe take one of its original cold brew bottles home with you, and a few other nostalgic trinkets for good measure.
Thanks Nature Cafe
10 Hongik-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Animal cafés are not uncommon in Seoul, but this one slightly transcends the line of normal cats and dogs: Sheep. Thanks Nature Cafe one of a few cafes in Seoul that owns two adorable sheep that are sure to tickle your heartstrings.
