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sojusucks

Joined: 31 May 2008
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 2:55 am Post subject: In Korea, coffee shops just keep on multiplying |
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In Korea, coffee shops just keep on multiplying
August 30, 2010
Does a Starbucks or a Caffe Bene seem to spring up every time you leave your home? Get used to it: coffee chains will continue to multiply, according to industry sources.
Coffeehouses operated by 12 branded chains now exceed 2,000 locations recently, with 500 added since the end of last year. Starbucks opened 27 new locations from January to August to reach a total of 318 locations. Angel-in-Us Coffee follows closely with 311 branches, of which 103 opened in 2009 and 80 more this year. Most chains have goals to add 30 to 50 more locations by the end of 2010, and ambitious newcomer Caffe Bene - which has opened 270 locations since its launch in April 2008 - plans to open 100 more by the end of the year.
Industry representatives say such growth is possible because coffeehouses in Korea provide a space to be rather than just a cup of coffee. They cite the coining of a new word - �coffice,� which combines �coffee� with �office� - as how customers see their local coffee shop. It�s a place to work, study or socialize.
�Customers now seek out coffeehouses for various reasons: to meet friends or to work,� said a spokesperson for Angel-in-Us Coffee. �Though Seoul has many coffeehouses, the rest of the nation still has a wealth of untapped locations.�
By Lee Jung-yoon [[email protected]]
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http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2925309 |
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simonandmartina
Joined: 20 Oct 2008
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:15 am Post subject: |
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I can't stand the coffee chains here, but the indie coffee shops are just fantastic. We've got one at the bottom of our officetel and it's unlike anything I've ever experienced back home. Great atmosphere, great coffee, and enough room for you to stand up from your chair and not knock over the table beside you crammed with other people. |
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sojusucks

Joined: 31 May 2008
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:28 am Post subject: |
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I like most of the chains, but I just wish the prices were lower. Just a note that there are even more "foreign" chains starting to move into the Korean market like Caribou and Gloria Jean's coffee. I've seen the GJ shop at the Seoul Station Lotte Mart's food court. Plus there are the Korean chains that continue to grow. It's such a big market and it's so obvious that Koreans love coffee that it's still an untapped market out there. |
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murmanjake

Joined: 21 Oct 2008
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:34 am Post subject: |
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I love going to the coffice. I get cork done and I meet my criends! |
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Kurtz
Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 4:40 am Post subject: |
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sojusucks wrote: |
I like most of the chains, but I just wish the prices were lower. Just a note that there are even more "foreign" chains starting to move into the Korean market like Caribou and Gloria Jean's coffee. I've seen the GJ shop at the Seoul Station Lotte Mart's food court. Plus there are the Korean chains that continue to grow. It's such a big market and it's so obvious that Koreans love coffee that it's still an untapped market out there. |
Do you think Koreans would know what a good cup of coffee actually is? Poorly made cappuccinos passed off as lattes (NO NO NO, don't give me any foam on my latte you doe eyed idiot!), they wouldn't have a clue. I think they enjoy coffee shops as they think they are classy and cool. The more the merry I say, it's hard to find a seat in a coffee shop in winter as they always seem full of Korean women taking pictures of themselves.
A few more interesting coffee shops for those in the know would be nice. |
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Man on Street
Joined: 28 Aug 2010 Location: In the Seoul
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:13 am Post subject: |
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sojusucks wrote: |
I like most of the chains, but I just wish the prices were lower. Just a note that there are even more "foreign" chains starting to move into the Korean market like Caribou and Gloria Jean's coffee. I've seen the GJ shop at the Seoul Station Lotte Mart's food court. Plus there are the Korean chains that continue to grow. It's such a big market and it's so obvious that Koreans love coffee that it's still an untapped market out there. |
Actually, I remember visiting both the Caribou at COEX and the Gloria Jeans in Bundang at what used to be Samsung Plaza back in 2002. Actually, there was a Cinnabon right outside Samsung Plaza too. Not that I like Cinnabon, but I do wish Ben and Jerry's had succeeded for more than about 2 years in Seoul
Good coffee is a trend in Korea right now, but I weep for the future as something else takes over. |
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climber159

Joined: 02 Sep 2007
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Good coffee it is not. Fancy, yes. Back in the US Dunkin' Donuts has the best coffee (straight-up black coffee, not one of the foofy drinks) for the money. In Korea I lost count of how many times I had to request that they NOT add water to the coffee. |
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fortysixyou

Joined: 08 Jun 2006
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:31 am Post subject: |
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Maybe this means more competitive pricing?
Also, The Coffee Bean has the most painfully uncomfortable chairs I've ever sat on in my WHOLE LIFE. |
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interestedinhanguk

Joined: 23 Aug 2010
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Is a building with coffices and apartments called a 'Cofficetel'? Double Konglishee. |
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Epik_Teacher
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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Add them to the list of "never-ending-supply-of" list. Along with the cell phone stores and convenience stores every 35 feet..................... |
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sojusucks

Joined: 31 May 2008
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Epik_Teacher wrote: |
Add them to the list of "never-ending-supply-of" list. Along with the cell phone stores and convenience stores every 35 feet..................... |
Maybe it's like this in Seoul but outside of Seoul it can be hard to find a good coffee shop. Remember, not everyone who posts on this site lives in Itaewon 24/7. A friend who lives in Pyeongtaek reported that the first Starbucks just opened in that area, and it's at the Pyeongtaek subway station. So, there is room for growth outside of Seoul. |
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blackjack

Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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sojusucks wrote: |
Epik_Teacher wrote: |
Add them to the list of "never-ending-supply-of" list. Along with the cell phone stores and convenience stores every 35 feet..................... |
Maybe it's like this in Seoul but outside of Seoul it can be hard to find a good coffee shop. Remember, not everyone who posts on this site lives in Itaewon 24/7. A friend who lives in Pyeongtaek reported that the first Starbucks just opened in that area, and it's at the Pyeongtaek subway station. So, there is room for growth outside of Seoul. |
I live in beomgye and there are three coffee shops in my building alone, there are dozens of them.
Why just why won't ethnic food become fashionable. All it will need is for one of the drama characters to start frequenting authentic, thai, Indian, Greek, African ... restaurants |
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mmstyle
Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone know somewhere that actually makes a flat white? For that matter, can you tell me how to make one at home? Do you need fancy equipment? |
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Kurtz
Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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mmstyle wrote: |
Does anyone know somewhere that actually makes a flat white? For that matter, can you tell me how to make one at home? Do you need fancy equipment? |
Flat white, my favourite (even though drinking them is seen as uncool in my hometown).
You'd be hard pressed to find somewhere that can make them in Korea. You need a shot of espresso and be able to make some foaming milk but hold the foamy bit back with a spoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq6BZxAD1Rk |
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blackjack

Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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mmstyle wrote: |
Does anyone know somewhere that actually makes a flat white? For that matter, can you tell me how to make one at home? Do you need fancy equipment? |
make coffee add milk
for cheap version black instant coffee add milk
for medium version filter coffee add milk
for slightly more expensive drip coffee add milk
for more expensive version use an Espresso machine add milk
see a theme here? |
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