Annyeonghaseyo!
Americano hana juseyo
ah-meh-ree-KAH-no HAH-na joo-SEH-yo
One Americano, please
Ttatteuthan geolo
TTAH-tteut-han guh-lo
Hot, please
Aiseuro
AH-ee-seu-ro
Iced, please
Gyesan haejuseyo
gyeh-SAHN heh-joo-SEH-yo
The bill, please
Korea's most popular coffee order by far. Iced Americano is the default — even in winter. Often abbreviated to 'ah-ah' (아아 = aisu Americano).
Espresso with steamed milk. Very popular and often served with beautiful latte art.
Espresso topped with a cloud of whipped cream. A Korean cafe trend that's become a local staple.
Whipped instant coffee over milk. Went viral globally in 2020 but originated in Korean street cafes.
Pour-over coffee, available at specialty cafes. Korean baristas are world-championship caliber.
Seoul has tens of thousands of cafes — more per capita than almost any city. Cafe culture is a way of life.
Iced Americano is the default order year-round. Koreans drink it even in freezing winter — it's called '아아' (ah-ah).
Many cafes are 'study cafes' or 'aesthetic cafes' designed for Instagram. The interior design is as important as the coffee.
Korean cafe portions tend to be large. A 'regular' is often 16oz or more.
Cards (especially Samsung Pay and KakaoPay) are accepted virtually everywhere. Cash is rarely needed.
Cafe hopping is a popular social activity — visiting 3-4 cafes in an afternoon is completely normal.
Not expected or traditional in Korea. No tip necessary.
₩4,500-6,500 ($3.50-5.00) for espresso drinks
Did you know? South Korea went from virtually zero coffee culture in the 1990s to one of the world's largest markets. Seoul reportedly has over 18,000 cafes — more than New York or London.