If you’ve ever visited Korea, chances are you’ve been surprised by how many Korean cafes you see on every street, in every building, and even in the smallest towns. Although Korea doesn’t grow coffee beans like Colombia or Ethiopia, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Koreans drink more coffee than those countries. As a local and a coffee lover myself, I can say with confidence that Korea is a true cafe heaven.
Drinking coffee in Korea isn’t just a trend, it’s a lifestyle. After almost every meal, Koreans grab a coffee, most commonly an iced Americano. I used to work in a Korean cafe, and over 60% of the orders were iced Americano, especially “with extra ice.” It helps cleanse the mouth after eating and keeps you awake during the sleepy post-lunch hours.
Personally, I’m a complete coffee addict. I need at least one cup a day to function, and I often keep a huge tumbler full of coffee next to me like it’s water. One unforgettable moment that made me realize just how deeply coffee is part of life in Korea happened during a trip abroad. I had a layover in the United States and desperately wanted a cup of coffee while waiting at the airport. I assumed I’d find at least a few cafes easily, but to my surprise, there was only one small shop selling coffe.
I tried walking around to find other options, and some stores that looked like bakeries or cafes weren’t even serving coffee at all. The airport was far from the city, so leaving to find a proper cafe wasn’t realistic. I ended up wandering around for nearly an hour, frustrated and shocked at how hard it was to get just one cup of coffee in such a busy international airport.
That’s when I fully appreciated how accessible Korean cafes are. In Korea, you never need to walk more than a few minutes to find a cafe, whether you’re downtown, in the suburbs, or even in the middle of nowhere. Coffee isn’t just convenient in Korea, it’s expected. That day in the U.S. made me realize how much I had taken Korean cafe culture for granted.
Types of Korean Cafe Brands
Korea’s coffee scene is incredibly diverse, but we can generally divide Korean cafes into three types: premium brands, budget brands, and local cafes.
Premium Korean Cafe Brands
These are high-end or international coffee chains like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and A Twosome Place. They’re known for cozy interiors, large seating areas, and consistent quality. You’ll often find students, remote workers, and friends gathering here for long chats or study sessions. Though the prices are higher, many Koreans don’t mind paying more for the ambiance and comfort.
Budget Korean Cafe Brands
Brands like Mega MGC Coffee, Compose Coffee, The Venti, and Paik’s Coffee (Paikdabang) offer super-sized drinks at unbeatable prices. For just $1, you can get a Venti-size Americano, and for around $3, you can try a range of frappes or smoothies. These budget Korean cafes are often take-out focused, with minimal seating or none at all. Thanks to their affordability, grabbing a coffee every day is easy and guilt-free for many Koreans. They played a major role in shaping today’s Korean cafe culture.
Local and Boutique Cafes
Local cafes are where things get creative. Many are designed with “Instagram vibes” in mind cute interiors, aesthetically pleasing desserts, and unique furniture that reflects the owner’s personality. If you head to the outskirts of cities, you’ll even find mega-sized local cafes, often occupying entire buildings. These large-scale cafes usually feature their own bakery sections with a wide variety of bread and pastries. Prices are often similar to premium cafes.
Unique Quirks of Korean Cafes
One quirky but very Korean thing: even if you plan to sit in a cafe for just one minute, you’ll be served your drink in a mug—not a single-use cup. This isn’t just a store policy; it’s part of a nationwide regulation that prohibits single-use cups from being used for in-store customers. Korea takes its environmental policies seriously, and this rule applies to nearly all cafes across the country.
So, let’s say you order a coffee while waiting for your bus and plan to sit for just a few minutes. You’ll still get a mug, and if you want to take the rest of your drink to go, you’ll need to go back to the counter and ask the staff to transfer it into a single-use cup. It might sound like a small thing, but when you’re in a rush, it can be a little frustrating.
As someone who’s experienced this more than once, I’ll admit it’s annoying. But I also understand the reason behind it. Koreans are used to it by now, and most people just go with the flow. It’s one of those small but memorable quirks that make the Korean cafe experience unique.
The Rise of “Cafe Study People” : Ca-Gong-Jok(카공족)
There’s a popular Korean term—카공족 (Ca-gong-jok)—used to describe people who spend hours studying or working in cafes. The word is a combination of “카페 (cafe) + 공부 (study) + 족 (tribe/people)”, and it literally means “the tribe of people who study at cafes for long hours.”
One reason this is possible is because Korea is known for its strong public safety. It’s totally normal to leave your laptop, bag, or even phone on the table and step out for a meal or a walk—sometimes for over an hour—without worrying about theft.
I noticed a big contrast when I lived in Canada. While many people also worked in cafes there, they rarely stayed long. I think this is because many Canadian cafes are noisy, crowded, and not always clean. Korean cafes, on the other hand, are spacious, quiet, and equipped with power outlets at nearly every table. When a Korean-style cafe opened in Canada, it quickly became popular among students because it had the same comfortable layout—more space, more outlets, and a clean atmosphere.
In Korea, rules such as ‘one order per person’ and table time limits were implemented to discourage people who use cafes as study spaces.
