Korea is already one step ahead of Starbucks

Photo courtesy of Caffe Bene and JoongAng Daily.

     A recent article in the L.A. Times reported that Starbucks will be adding beer and wine to menus at select coffee shops. To test out the new alcoholic beverages to the store menus Starbucks has already offered drinks such as a Prosecco from Italy to the a few menus in Oregon. This is so old school right? Local Korean coffee shops have been offering alcohol on their 메뉴 (menus) for years. Although their larger chains such as Hollys Coffee and Tom N Toms have a non alcoholic menu, they are thriving on a Korean coffee and tea phenomenon that made carrying around a used paper Starbucks cup full of water cool.
      According to the JoongAng Daily, ever since its foray into Seoul in 1999, Starbucks has enjoyed its status as Korea’s first foreign take-out coffee chain. But its long-standing hold on the market began to slip last year as two homegrown competitors - Caffe Bene and Angel-in-us - began outpacing it in terms of number of branches nationwide as a result of aggressive expansion efforts.
     
Check out some of my favorite local Korean coffee shops in Seoul that offer alcoholic beverages.

Coffee Factory – Located in  Samcheong-dong this coffee shop is well known throughout Seoul. Hi Expat review

Cafe Beatles- This is a cafe owned by an old student of mine Yong Jun Lee. He has collected tons of beatles music that you may listen to in the cafe while you are enjoying your coffee or beer! (02) 2232-9980 Cafe Beatles Website

Sanmotoonge (Corner of the mountain)- This coffee shop is in the most beautiful setting in Seoul on the corner of a mountain overlooking the city and with views of the Seoul Fortress Wall.
Sanmotoonge Website

Lime Tree Coffee & Deli- Located in Insadong this coffee shop is among my favorites in Jongno! Lime Tree Facebook Page


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