Why South Korea Is Obsessed With Coffee Shops

Picture this: a small plaza in Seoul’s Gangnam District, where three coffee shops sit shoulder to shoulder under glowing lights, even on a rainy night. That’s not an anomaly — it’s typical. Walk around any Seoul neighborhood, and you’ll spot a coffee shop on nearly every corner. But what’s behind Korea’s overwhelming coffee obsession?

Koreans now drink coffee 12.2 times per week on average — more often than kimchi (11.9 times) or even rice (6.9 times), according to a 2014 International Business Times survey. That makes coffee Korea’s most consumed food item, surpassing even its national dish.

A Brief History of Coffee in Korea

Coffee first arrived in Korea during the late 19th century under Japanese colonial rule, but it didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 1950s, when American soldiers introduced instant coffee during the Korean War. However, the real boom — the explosion of coffee shop culture as we know it today — only took off in the last 20 years.

The Starbucks Effect and Social Status

In 1999, Starbucks opened its first store in Korea at the prestigious Ewha Womans University in Seoul. By 2014, it had nearly 300 locations nationwide. According to Daniel Schwekendiek, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, carrying a Starbucks cup became a status symbol — akin to wearing a designer handbag. Coffee in Korea grew into a marker of social class, even inspiring the pop-culture term “doenjang girl” — a girl who skips meat to save money for luxury goods, since doenjang (fermented soybean paste) is cheap. The global hit “Gangnam Style” even satirized the café lifestyle with its lyric: ‘where the pretty girls know how to enjoy their coffee.’

Why Coffee Shops Are a Daily Ritual

“If you spend a few days in Seoul, you’ll notice something,” says Seoul-based international student Lee Meilian. “At lunch, coworkers barely speak. But afterward, they all silently head to a coffee shop to talk business or hang out. It’s a habit, a social norm.” In fact, coffee breaks have replaced traditional midday conversations. You’re expected to join your colleagues — not for food, but for coffee. It’s how deals are discussed, friendships are maintained, and downtime is spent.

Korea’s Coffee Shop Capital: Seoul

Seoul isn’t just coffee-crazy — it’s officially the city with the most Starbucks stores in the world: 284, topping New York. That figure highlights just how deeply embedded coffee culture has become. The website seoulistic.com, which advises foreigners on life in Korea, ranks coffee shops as the first thing newcomers must get used to — even above kimchi, metal chopsticks, or bowing. Coffee shops have become part of the national identity, appearing frequently in K-dramas and even spreading globally via the Korean Wave. Several homegrown Korean coffee chains have expanded to cities like Paris, New York, and Beijing.

The Market Gets Competitive

With so many cafés, competition is fierce. Many shop owners have turned to discount strategies to attract customers. The market is becoming saturated, and the battle for foot traffic is intensifying. Whether this coffee craze will continue at its current pace remains to be seen — but for now, Korea’s love affair with coffee shows no signs of slowing down.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times a week do Koreans drink coffee on average?

Koreans drink coffee an average of 12.2 times per week, according to a 2014 International Business Times report — more frequently than kimchi (11.9) or rice (6.9).

When did coffee become popular in Korea?

Coffee was introduced in the late 19th century during Japanese rule, gained some traction after the Korean War in the 1950s with instant coffee from the U.S., but only became a mainstream cultural phenomenon in the last 20 years.

What role does Starbucks play in Korean coffee culture?

Starbucks opened its first Korean store in 1999 near Ewha Womans University. By 2014, it had almost 300 stores. Carrying a Starbucks cup became a status symbol, and coffee drinking grew tied to social class and identity.

Why are there so many coffee shops in Seoul?

Coffee shops have become daily social hubs for work, chatting, and relaxing. They’re deeply embedded in Seoul’s work culture and social life, making them as common — and essential — as food spots.

Are coffee shops popular in Korean media and pop culture?

Yes, coffee shops frequently appear in Korean dramas, reinforcing their role as stylish, modern social spaces. The global success of K-pop and Korean TV has also helped spread the café culture internationally.

Is coffee more popular than traditional Korean foods?

According to the 2014 survey, coffee (12.2 times/week) is consumed more often than kimchi (11.9) and rice (6.9), making it Korea’s most-consumed ‘food’ item.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Café Culture

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, perfect for sipping in a Seoul-style café. Their Yirgacheffe offers juicy berry tones and a tea-like body, ideal for slow conversations. For something deeper, their PWN Golden Mandheling brings sweet caramel and mild spice — great for pairing with Korean desserts. All three showcase the clarity and balance that match Korea’s refined coffee preferences. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.