South Korea
South Korea has an incredibly dynamic and advanced coffee culture, a stark contrast to its traditional tea-drinking past. Coffee is now an integral part of daily life, with cafes serving as popular spots for socializing, working, studying, and even dating. The country is a global leader in coffee consumption per capita, with a remarkable fondness for a few key types, especially iced coffee.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in South Korea and what's in them:
Ubiquitous & Everyday Coffees:
Iced Americano (아이스 아메리카노 - Aiseu Amerikanoh): This is, without a doubt, the most popular coffee drink in South Korea, consumed year-round, even in freezing temperatures (earning the nickname "얼죽아" - "eoljukah," meaning "iced coffee even if I freeze to death").
What's in it: Espresso diluted with cold water and served over ice. It's often preferred for its quick preparation and refreshing nature.
How to order: "아이스 아메리카노" (Aiseu Amerikanoh) or simply "아아" (A-Ah) as a common abbreviation.
Hot Americano (아메리카노 - Amerikanoh): The hot version of the popular Americano.
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water.
How to order: "아메리카노" (Amerikanoh).
Coffee Mix (커피믹스 - Keopi Mix): This is the quintessential Korean instant coffee, often found in offices, homes, and even served after meals in many restaurants.
What's in it: A convenient single-serving sachet containing instant coffee powder, sugar, and non-dairy creamer (often referred to as "cream" or "creamer"). Brands like Maxim (especially Mocha Gold and White Gold) and Kanu are extremely popular. The sugar is often at one end of the stick, allowing you to control the sweetness.
How to order: You'd typically just ask for "커피믹스" (Keopi Mix) or specify the brand like "Maxim Coffee."
Modern Cafe-Style Coffees (Found Everywhere):
South Korea's cafe scene is incredibly diverse, from massive chains to countless unique independent cafes, many focusing on specialty coffee.
Espresso (에스프레소 - Eseupeuresso): A concentrated shot of coffee, the base for many drinks.
Cappuccino (카푸치노 - Kapuchino): Espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of frothed milk.
Latte (라떼 - Latte / 카페 라떼 - Kafe Latte): Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Popular variations include:
Vanilla Latte (바닐라 라떼 - Banilla Latte): With vanilla syrup.
Caramel Macchiato (카라멜 마키아또 - Karamell Makkiatto): Espresso marked with steamed milk and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Very popular.
Spanish Latte (스페니쉬 라떼 - Seupenisi Latte): Often sweeter and creamier, made with condensed milk.
Einspanner (아인슈페너 - Ainsyupeneoh / Vienna Coffee): A modern Korean cafe staple, inspired by Viennese coffee. It's an Americano (hot or iced) topped with a thick whipped cream. Variations exist with different types of cream and coffee bases.
Dolce Latte (돌체 라떼 - Dolce Latte): Often a sweeter, richer latte, sometimes made with condensed milk at the bottom, similar to a Spanish latte.
Mocha (모카 - Moka): Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate (syrup or powder), often topped with whipped cream.
Flat White (플랫 화이트 - Peullaet Hwaiteu): Espresso with velvety steamed milk, less foam than a cappuccino, for a stronger coffee taste.
Cold Brew (콜드 브루 - Koldeu Beuru): Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate.
Hand Drip Coffee (핸드 드립 커피 - Haendeu Deurip Keopi): Many specialty coffee shops offer various manual brewing methods (like V60, Chemex, Aeropress) to highlight the nuances of single-origin beans.
What's in it: Coffee brewed by slowly pouring hot water over ground coffee in a filter, emphasizing clarity and nuanced flavors.
How to order: Ask for "핸드 드립 커피" (Haendeu Deurip Keopi) or inquire about their "싱글 오리진" (single origin) offerings.
Blended/Frappe Drinks (프라페 - Peurape / 블렌디드 - Beullendideu): Hugely popular. These are blended iced coffee drinks, often with ice, milk, syrup, and sometimes whipped cream.
What's in it: Various flavors like mocha, caramel, green tea, or even unique Korean concoctions.
How to order: You'll typically find these on the menu as "프라페" (Frappe) or "블렌디드" (Blended) with specific flavor names.
Dalgona Coffee (달고나 커피 - Dalgona Keopi): While a global trend during the pandemic, it's rooted in Korean street candy dalgona.
What's in it: Equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water whipped into a thick, frothy, caramel-colored foam, then spooned over hot or cold milk.
How to order: Mostly a homemade drink now, but some cafes might still offer it.
Jolly Pong Latte (죠리퐁 라떼 - Jyori Pong Latte): A unique, fun, and popular cafe drink.
What's in it: A latte (often iced) topped with a generous amount of Jolly Pong cereal (a puffed wheat snack), adding a crunchy texture and sweet, malty flavor.
How to order: "죠리퐁 라떼" (Jyori Pong Latte).
Sweet Potato Latte (고구마 라떼 - Goguma Latte) / Black Sesame Latte (흑임자 라떼 - Heukimja Latte):While not always coffee-based, these often appear on cafe menus alongside coffee drinks. Sometimes they are offered with an espresso shot.
What's in it: Made with steamed milk and sweet potato puree or black sesame powder, creating a creamy and uniquely flavored beverage.
How to order: "고구마 라떼" (Goguma Latte) or "흑임자 라떼" (Heukimja Latte).
Key Features of South Korean Coffee Culture:
Cafe as a Lifestyle: Cafes are much more than just places to get coffee; they are social hubs, study spaces, work environments, and aesthetic destinations.
Variety of Cafes: From large chain stores to tiny, concept-driven independent cafes, South Korea offers an unparalleled variety in cafe experiences.
Speed & Convenience: The preference for Iced Americano is often linked to Korea's "ppalli-ppalli" (hurry-hurry) culture, as it's quick to make and consume.
Aesthetics: The presentation of coffee and the cafe environment are highly valued.
Seasonal & Unique Flavors: Korean cafes are known for innovating with seasonal flavors and unique local ingredients in their coffee and other beverages.
When ordering in South Korea, knowing the Korean names for the popular drinks is helpful, especially in smaller or local cafes, although English menus and staff who understand English are common in major cities and tourist areas.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.