Have you ever experienced Korean coffee culture? If not, let’s take a trip to Seoul, where coffee is more than just a drink—it’s an identity, a statement, and an experience. In Korea, the café you choose says just as much about you as the coffee you drink. Just holding a cup from a particular café can reveal your personality, much like a designer bag reflects your lifestyle.
Seoul is overflowing with cafés—you’ll find them on every corner, just like Dunkin’ Donuts in Boston. But unlike the chain-dominated coffee culture in other cities, most cafés here are independently owned, each with a unique concept that sets them apart. New cafés are constantly opening, and I was amazed by how many could exist within a single neighborhood.
Photo taken at NUDAKE Seongsu.
Each café offers something different. Some specialize in coffee, others in pastries, and many double as concept stores. You’ll find cafés inside sock shops, perfume boutiques, clothing stores, gaming lounges, and even animal cafés. But one thing they all have in common? A seriously good iced Americano.
Yes, you heard that right—Seoul takes iced coffee to another level. I first discovered this in 2022 when I randomly ordered an iced Americano at a small café and was blown away. This year, I made it my mission to test whether every café I visited could deliver the same quality. After visiting over 10 spots, I can confidently say—if you order an iced Americano in Seoul, you won’t be disappointed.
And I haven’t even started talking about specialty coffee yet.
The Specialty Coffee Scene: Next-Level Excellence
Seoul’s specialty coffee scene is on another level. I visited several high-end coffee shops, and they completely blew me away. The variety of rare and exclusive beans available here is something you’d expect only at top-tier global coffee competitions. You can easily find legendary farms like Finca Deborah, Finca Hartmann, Finca Takesi, Finca Nuguo, Hacienda La Esmeralda, Totumas Coffee, Elida Estate, and Alo Coffee—all being served at cafés throughout the city.
Photo taken at Pastel Coffee Works.
What surprised me the most was how accessible these coffees were. I enjoyed a beautiful Panamanian Gesha for just 16,000 WON ($11)—a price that’s almost unheard of for such a premium cup elsewhere. And as expected, the hospitality at these specialty coffee shops was exceptional. Even though I don’t speak Korean, the baristas went above and beyond to ensure I had a great experience. Their dedication to coffee and craftsmanship was evident in every interaction.
My Favorite Café Experience: Blackroad
Among all the cafés I visited in Seoul this year, Blackroad stood out the most—not just as a café, but as an immersive experience.
Walking in, I was completely disoriented. For a moment, I thought I had entered an art museum instead of a café. The space was filled with carefully curated displays, but as I looked closer, I realized they were all coffee-related. The exhibits told the story of Tommy, the café’s founder, showcasing his journey and philosophy through art and design.
Before ordering, a receptionist greeted me and explained how to navigate the café experience. Then, she handed me a book. At first, I was confused—why a book? But when I opened it, I was stunned. It was the menu, beautifully presented as a photo collection of each coffee they served. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.
Photo taken at Seongsu Blackroad.
After browsing the menu, we were led to a private room where the staff explained that the café’s coffee selection changes seasonally, depending on their chosen concept. During my visit, they were featuring Panamanian coffees, and to my astonishment, they had the highest-bid lot from the Elida Estate auction, which sold for an unbelievable $13,518 per kilogram. Without hesitation, I ordered it.
The experience? Absolutely remarkable.
Beyond Coffee: The Pastry Culture in Seoul
Now, let’s step away from coffee for a moment and talk about another aspect of Seoul’s café scene—pastries.
As I mentioned earlier, there are cafés on every corner in Seoul. But with so much competition, how do they differentiate themselves? Since great coffee is a given, many cafés go beyond coffee to compete, focusing on signature pastries that make them stand out.
Photo taken at FourB.
Most cafés, including specialty coffee shops, offer their own specialty baked goods—croissants, bagels, pretzels, salted bread, baguettes, cakes, and intricate desserts. Even if two cafés sit right next to each other, they’ll have completely different pastry selections. And here’s the best part: when they specialize in something, they truly master it. The level of craftsmanship in their baking is just as impressive as their coffee.
I absolutely loved exploring this side of Korean café culture, experiencing how pastries were thoughtfully paired with different coffee selections. Just like their approach to coffee, pastries are a reflection of personal style and taste. If you prefer a classic French vibe, you’d find yourself at a café known for its buttery, flaky croissants. If you love something unique and experimental, there’s a café specializing in fusion pastries that blend flavors from different cultures.
Cafés That Celebrate Global Coffee Culture
Another fascinating aspect of Seoul’s café scene is how some cafés dedicate themselves entirely to specific coffee regions. These places focus exclusively on coffee from a particular origin, creating a truly immersive experience.
One example is Queen Sheba African Coffee House, which I visited before heading to Bangkok. This café specializes in African coffee, featuring an impressive lineup of beans from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi. The attention to detail was incredible—they even had a small selection of Jamaican Blue Mountain for those looking for something different.
What stood out to me was their commitment to a singular vision. In Seoul, being specific is key—with so much competition, cafés need a clear identity to stand out. Queen Sheba nailed it.
Photo taken at Queen Sheba African Coffee House.
What Seoul Taught Me About Coffee and My Future Café
I have to admit—this was the best café-hopping trip I’ve ever had. Visiting Seoul opened my mind and taught me so much about what I want to do with my future café in Boston.
One thing I’ve realized? I want to focus on Thai specialty coffee and highlight Asian coffee culture in Boston. The way Seoul’s coffee scene embraces storytelling, craftsmanship, and identity has truly inspired me.
I hope you enjoyed this small trip through South Korea’s coffee culture with me. It was an unforgettable experience, and one thing is certain—I will be back.
Here is the list of 19 Seoul Cafes that I visited: