As many of you know, I spent most of January2025 traveling and wasn’t in Boston. I visited multiple cities across the world to explore specialty coffee culture in different countries. My journey took me to Seoul, Hong Kong, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, and Sungai-Kolok—spanning three countries: South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. It was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to share my stories with you.
A Surprising Cezve Experience
One of the biggest surprises on this trip was experiencing Cezve, a traditional Turkish-style coffee. I had tried it several times in the U.S., but it had never really been my preference. However, while at IGA Istanbul Airport, I decided to give it another shot—mainly because, well, I was in Turkey. Why not?
I watched the barista carefully prepare the Cezve, and the process was mesmerizing—clean, precise, and full of skill. When I finally took a sip, I was completely caught off guard. The coffee was naturally sweet, clean, and had a beautiful acidity with a round, balanced mouthfeel. It was nothing like what I had tasted before—elegant, refined, and unexpectedly delightful. The barista suggested adding a little sugar, so I did, and suddenly, the coffee became even more balanced—the sweetness was just right. I finished the cup quickly before heading to my next destination, but that moment changed my perspective on Cezve entirely.
Later, I shared my experience on Instagram, and soon after, a Turkish friend Alireza—who happens to be a multiple-time coffee champion—messaged me saying, "If that was the best Cezve you’ve had, you’ll be blown away when you try mine." Looks like I have another trip to plan!
A Visit to My Hometown
A few days later, I arrived in Sungai-Kolok, Narathiwat, my hometown, where I grew up. The coffee scene here wasn’t very big when I left, mostly consisting of traditional Thai Kopi cafés, where coffee and Thai tea are brewed using tower filters—a common sight across Southeast Asia.
One morning, my mom took me to one of these traditional cafés, wanting me to revisit the experience of Thai coffee culture. I ordered both Thai coffee and Thai tea, and as expected, they were sweet, with a beautifully balanced richness from the condensed milk.
In the afternoon, my sister took me café-hopping, and to my surprise, many cafés now offer different roasting profiles for espresso. Even more impressive? Pour-over coffee was on the menu in this small city! I wasn’t expecting such a variety of high-quality brews outside of major cities like Bangkok, but it was clear—the coffee culture in Thailand is growing fast. You no longer have to be in a big city to find an excellent cup of coffee.
This trip gave me a new appreciation for how much the coffee scene is evolving, even in places I least expected. And honestly, that’s what makes coffee so exciting—it’s always changing, always growing, and always bringing people together.
Exploring the Future of Specialty Coffee in Asia
Now, it’s time to talk about the country I believe is shaping the future of specialty coffee in Asia—Seoul, South Korea.
I’ve been to Seoul twice before, but I never fully explored its coffee scene. I had visited a few great cafés in the past, but this time, I wanted to go all in—café-hopping across the city to soak in as much as possible. There's so much to say about my Seoul experience that I’ll be sharing more in upcoming blogs, but in short—Seoul is on another level when it comes to specialty coffee.
There are so many different kinds of coffee shops to experience, each with its own unique concept and approach. One that stood out to me the most was Blackroad Coffee. Visiting them was more than just having a cup of coffee—it was an immersive experience. Blackroad changes themes frequently, showcasing different coffee origins. Before my visit, their theme was Taiwanese coffee, but when I arrived, it had switched to Panama. I got to enjoy incredible Gesha coffees from Elida Estate and many more outstanding brews.
Coffee is deeply woven into Korean culture. People drink a lot of coffee, and their iced coffee—especially their Iced Americanos—became my favorite by far. I ordered one at every café I visited, and not a single one disappointed me.
Seoul’s coffee scene is something truly special, and I can’t wait to share more stories about it soon.
The Coffee Vibe in Hong Kong
After Seoul, I made my way to Hong Kong, a city that never slows down—and neither does its coffee culture. Hong Kong’s café scene has a unique energy, blending modern specialty coffee with its long-standing traditional tea and coffee culture.
One thing I love about Hong Kong cafés is how diverse they are. Some spots focus on high-end specialty brews, while others embrace the city’s rich cha chaan teng (茶餐廳) culture, serving Yuenyeung—a mix of coffee and Hong Kong-style milk tea. Every morning, I visited a cha chaan teng for breakfast, enjoying milk tea with noodles or breakfast toast with ham. On the specialty coffee side, I explored many small specialty shops, including OMA Coffee Roaster and Sipper Coffee, each offering unique and well-crafted brews.
Visiting Chiang Rai Cafés
After a long trip from Seoul and Hong Kong, it was time to travel to the roots of Thai coffee. Chiang Rai is one of Thailand's most prominent specialty coffee-growing regions, with coffee production dating back to 1969. The specialty coffee scene here is truly special. Many cafés have their own roasting machines, and even local farmers have small roasteries at their farms. Cafés often have breathtaking views of the mountains, making the experience even more remarkable. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend visiting Chiang Rai to witness this beautiful coffee culture firsthand.
Back to Bangkok
Returning to Bangkok felt like picking up where I left off before COVID-19. The coffee scene has grown beyond my expectations, with specialty cafés on almost every corner. What surprised me the most was the entry of luxury brands into the café industry—Louis Vuitton, Café Kitsuné, Ralph’s Coffee, and Younique Caffe all have a presence now. These high-end cafés are elevating Bangkok’s coffee scene, but they come with a steep price tag.
One of the most talked-about cafés in Thailand this year is One to Two Coffee. I visited two of their locations, known for offering high-quality coffee at reasonable prices. While I personally found their coffee to be just okay, I understand the appeal—affordable coffee with good quality is a great option for many. However, I still prefer smaller, more local cafés for a better overall experience.
Final Thoughts
This journey across Asia deepened my appreciation for the diversity and innovation in coffee culture. From unexpected moments of discovery—like my newfound love for Cezve—to witnessing the rapid growth of specialty coffee in unexpected places, this trip reinforced why I love coffee so much. It connects people, cultures, and traditions in ways that are constantly evolving. I can’t wait to share more insights and stories from my travels. Until then, let’s keep exploring the world of coffee together!