Exploring Vancouver’s Coffee Scene with Barista Michael Yung

If you’ve ever landed in a new city and wondered how to find a decent cup of coffee—or just your go-to morning brew—Michael Yung knows the feeling. As a globe-trotting former World Barista Champion turned coffee event chair, he’s spent years navigating airports, hotels, and foreign cafés. But when he’s on the road, especially returning home to Vancouver, he brings along a carefully chosen setup to ensure his coffee routine never slips.

On the road, Yung travels over 10,000 km per month and brings a full coffee kit: a Porlex hand grinder, KōNO plastic cone filter, Acaia scale, and a Sony A7S camera to document it all. He also packs two high-end Rimowa suitcases and always carries his own coffee—because you never know what you’ll get abroad.

Who Is Michael Yung?

Michael Yung is a veteran of the specialty coffee world. In 2007, he won the Canadian Barista Championship and became a certified coffee competition judge in 2009. Today, he leads coffee operations at Pacific Coffee in Hong Kong and served as the chairman of the World Coffee Events (WCE) committee in 2015. Despite living in Hong Kong, Vancouver remains his home—and a constant source of inspiration.

Why Vancouver?

“I finally went home,” Yung says of his return visit to Vancouver after five years in Hong Kong. Though he had only passed through once or twice en route to the Americas, he describes the city as “beautiful and refreshing”—a place that never fails to captivate, no matter how long you stay. His frequent travels have made him appreciate it even more.

The Coffee Traveler’s Kit

For Yung, preparation is everything. Here’s the gear he brings on every trip:

• Luggage: Two Rimowa Salsa Multiwheel suitcases (61L and 86L). The larger one is his go-to for long-haul flights; both are ultra-light, durable, and backed by global warranty.
• Coffee: He always packs his own beans—because airport and hotel coffee can be unreliable. That first cup sets the tone for the day.
• Grinder: A portable Porlex Mini hand grinder with a ceramic conical burr that delivers consistent grind size.
• Filter: A KōNO plastic cone filter, chosen for its durability and lightweight design.
• Scale: An Acaia digital scale for precise measurement during brewing.
• Camera: A Sony A7S full-frame mirrorless camera paired with a 35mm f/2.8 lens for wide shots and a Voigtländer 50mm f/1.5 for low-light detail.

“The Porlex is solid, the burr doesn’t wobble, and it grinds very evenly,” Yung explains. The KōNO filter is shatterproof, ideal for life on the move. The Acaia scale ensures his pour-over ratios stay spot-on, whether he’s in a hotel room or a layover lounge.

How He Captures Coffee on the Road

Yung didn’t start as a photographer, but over time, he began using his camera to document the places coffee takes him. His Sony A7S is compact yet powerful, with a full-frame sensor that performs well in varied light. The 35mm lens is his everyday workhorse, while the 50mm f/1.5 from Voigtländer helps him shoot in dimly lit cafés, capturing rich contrast and texture.

“Where I go and what I shoot depends entirely on the visual story I want to tell,” he says. The combination of gear lets him freeze moments—from Vancouver’s streets to remote café counters—just the way he experiences them.

His travel ritual includes grinding fresh coffee wherever he is, using his own beans to start the day right. “It’s my anchor,” he says. “Once I’ve had my coffee, I’m ready to explore.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What coffee gear does Michael Yung travel with?

Yung travels with a Porlex Mini hand grinder, a KōNO plastic cone filter, an Acaia digital scale, and a Sony A7S camera with a 35mm f/2.8 lens and a 50mm f/1.5 lens for low light. These tools help him brew consistent pour-over coffee and document his trips visually.

How much does Yung travel for work?

Yung travels over 10,000 kilometres per month for work, often flying between continents. His frequent trips have made him reliant on reliable, portable coffee equipment and a consistent morning brew routine.

What luggage does he use?

He uses two Rimowa Salsa Multiwheel suitcases: a 61-litre model for most trips and an 86-litre version for longer journeys. Both are lightweight, durable, and feature a global warranty and secure password locks.

Why does he bring his own coffee while travelling?

Yung brings his own coffee because the quality of coffee in airports and hotels can be unpredictable. Having a familiar brew helps him start his day consistently and sets the tone for his coffee explorations.

What camera setup does he use for coffee photography?

Yung uses a Sony A7S full-frame camera with a 35mm f/2.8 lens for general shots and a Voigtländer 50mm f/1.5 lens for low-light situations. This combination allows him to capture both wide-angle café scenes and detailed textures in darker environments.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Travel Brewing

For coffee lovers inspired by Michael Yung’s travel kit, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Huaca—bright and juicy with notes of citrus and blueberry, perfect for pour-over. The Colombia Narino Supremo offers balanced chocolate and caramel tones, great for filter brewing on the go. Lastly, the Kenya Gikanda AB brings vibrant acidity with blackcurrant and winey depth. All three roast profiles shine when brewed with precision gear like Yung’s Porlex and Acaia scale. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.