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Why do Koreans like coffee so much?

Published: 2026-02-08 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/02/08, Professional coffee knowledge exchange more coffee bean information Please follow the coffee workshop (Wechat official account cafe_style) anyone who has traveled or lived in Korea knows that Korean coffee shops are so! More! Yes! It's not an exaggeration to walk ten meters. Starbucks alone has 1200 stores in South Korea. On the contrary, in China, there are more milk tea shops, but coffee shops are rare.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange more coffee bean information please follow the coffee workshop (Wechat official account cafe_style)

Anyone who has traveled or lived in Korea knows that the coffee shop in Korea is really too! More! Yes! It's not an exaggeration to walk ten meters. Starbucks alone has 1200 stores in South Korea. On the contrary, in China, there are more milk tea shops, but coffee shops are rare. So many Korean friends who go to study in China say that coffee shops are not used to, and many people do not understand why Koreans like coffee so much, especially American coffee is not popular in China, but it is the favorite of Koreans.

According to the 2016 Korean Coffee White Paper released by Seoul Coffee Show, South Korea's largest coffee exhibition, 76 percent of South Koreans drink an average of more than two cups of coffee a day, and seven out of every 10 Koreans make coffee at home. Coffee shops can be said to be dotted around many neighborhoods in Seoul, especially near the university campus.

When coffee was first introduced into Korea, there was no concept of "cafe", but it was sold in "teahouse", so there are still many elderly Koreans who call traditional "instant coffee" as "teahouse coffee".

It is said that the "teahouse" at that time was just a place for dignitaries to gather after dinner. In 1999, Starbucks Lida (Lihua Women's University) No. 1 store entered Seoul and became the first global chain coffee shop in South Korea. Since then, the name of "teahouse" began to be replaced by "cafe".

In Korea, coffee is not a simple drink, but a culture. Office workers drink coffee after dinner, not just to get caffeine, but to enjoy the leisure time of talking while drinking coffee. Whether it is a meeting or negotiation or a gathering of friends, drinking coffee, as the most basic etiquette, plays a more important social role than the time spent drinking drinks. In other words, coffee is not just for coffee.

South Korean coffee truck support is also a unique scenery, scorching sun or cold wind, actors should be diligent, in order to show support for actors and TV series, fans and showbiz friends will prepare coffee cars, printed with the actors' unique logo and photos to promote.

Now the coffee shop has become an indispensable place for lovers to date, but also a rest space for office workers. After getting up in the morning, I have a drink to wake my head up, and I have a light gulp at work during the day. I have more time to drink a cup of coffee, eat a few cakes and chat with friends in my spare time. Coffee enriches our lives and shortens the distance between you and me. After a good meal, it is a kind of happiness to make a cup of coffee, read a newspaper, or share a warm, comfortable and fun coffee time with lovers, friends and family. Moreover, Korean students are more willing to study in cafes than libraries. South Korea is based on a group system from school to company, and most people will choose a nearby cafe for more discussion. The environment is elegant, accompanied by a strong cup of coffee, almost spent the afternoon in the cafe. Although the Korean cafe is not very big, the interior is equipped. Xiu is obviously characterized by outstanding features, which will make customers linger.