Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aphasia83]

I'm getting ready for the move to Korea, and trying to decide what to pack for the new digs.

I'm quite happy to live simply, but I'll admit it - I'm a bit of a coffee snob and if there's one thing I can't live without, it's a coffee machine. So here's my question: are decently-priced (relatively good quality) espresso machines available in Seoul? Or should I ship one from home?

Are Koreans big coffee drinkers? Will I be able to find decent coffee beans?

Thanks!

[Alexander]

oooh, good question!

I'm in the same boat, and anxiously awaiting an answer!

[anyangoldboy]

They have the usual coffee shops here like starbucks etc...There are a few places...Smaller shops which actually import coffee beans from around the world and are not chain shops...But they are few and harder to find...

Also please if you come here and find the coffee bad don't complain...This is Korea...expect the worst

[SirFink]

To be frank, Korea is no place for snobs. From coffee, to beer, to music, to fashion, Koreans are a bit lacking in good taste.

Much of what passes for coffee in Korea are these little pixie-stick like things of instant Maxwell House swill: heavy on the sugar and non-dairy creamer. "Cup-pee" they call it as "coe-pee" means a bloody nose. ?:

I was able to buy a French press coffee maker and beans are easy enough to buy at your average E-Mart. They even have a grinder there and a nice girl there will gladly grind it for you.

As with all things in Korea, don't expect much choice. You pretty much have to settle for good-enough most of the time. In the words of Henry Ford: "You can have a Model T in any color you want as long as it's black."

[anyangoldboy]

[Sister Ray]

[aphasia83]

Thanks for your help guys! You've confirmed my suspicions. And to those who spoke words of caution - as I tried to say in my original post, I'm a pretty simple person, and I'm certainly not expecting luxury, or for things to be similar to the life I've lived in North America! However, just knowing that I'll have the solace of a good cup of coffee when I get home... that will be my one treat to myself Thanks again.

[the eye]

Costco has 2 models of DeLonghi espresso makers for around 80,000 and 120,000won respectively.

One of them looks like this...



But, if you're a real coffee snob, you'd know that these mini espresso makers don't produce real espresso. It's just basically a drip coffee.

[crusher_of_heads]

Yes, if you're a coffee snob, either bring some and get a maker or live in Seoul.

I'm happy iwth The Coffee Bean myself...and Canadaisn dont' wrap yourselves in the Canadian Tim Horton's flag...if you're a Hortons diehard, you are NOT a coffee snob.

[lostinseoul77777]

I suggest bringing a machine or a French press and some beans since you can store them in the freezer. There are plenty of Starbucks and Coffee Bean stores if you're into those chains. You can also find some decent beans, some fresh roasted ones, but they are pricey.

[spliff]

[suneV]

They have LavAssa here in Seoul. Only a couple of them though. Best coffee I've ever had from a chain store.

Starf#ck's is everywhere, but being a coffee snob, you'll know that Starf^ck's coffee is overpriced dishwater.

Coffee Bean is marginally better, but VERY unsubtle and rather heavy and muddy.

Prosciutto or whatever it's called is the best apart from LavAssa, they're macciatto's and cappuccino's are heaven, them and LavAssa are the only coffee shops in Korea where a coffee snob would want to drink in my honest opinion.

Some of the smaller, inependent brands in Korea likeEdiya and Rosebud are good value (average $2 a drink) and are better tasting than StarF%ck's by a mile; good, honest, well rounded coffee for a reasonable price.

[itaewonguy]

Coffee is an up and coming business for the connoisseur I also love my coffee but not just that I love everything about coffee...
From the growing of the beans to the selection process, the roast the grind you name it... it�s a culture which I love...
Seoul just had their annual coffee convention couple months ago which was fantastic as usual its show casing all the latest coffee producers and roasters who are entering the Korean market...
You can find great machines, and beans here you just need to know where to look... there a lot of micro roaster coffee shops around Seoul too
Korea is still far behind the rest of the world when it comes to skills... but they are getting there... Don�t worry you will find your coffee here...

[exit86]

I'm a big-time espresso/cappuccino aficionado who has lived here in Seoul for quite a while now. When I first came to Korea, it was absolutely impossible to find espresso anywhere--no Starbucks, no coffee shops with espresso machines, nothing. Then about 7 or 8 years back, one Starbucks opened on the Kangnam strip; and, the rest is history in terms of espresso-serving shops--they are everywhere.
The problem remains that very few of the kiddies working at the big chain joints (Starbucks, Coffee Bean, etc) know how to make a real cup of cappuccino. Therefore, I find myself having to teach the "barista" (a term used widely here and everywhere in the chain shops with no real understanding of the true meaning) how to make a good basic cappuccino using the simple 1/3,1/3,1/3 formula. Sometimes they learn, sometimes they just nod and continue to make a crappy espresso beverage the way they always do, which I then make them make again since these drinks are more expensive here.
Surprisingly, some smaller, privately-owned espresso shops might have real baristas who have actually gone to school or taken courses; and, these places are true gems--great cappuccino, great prices, and really
interesting shop owners and patrons. These places don't exist everywhere though or in plain view, but a true coffee-lover can sniff them out.

In terms of good espresso machines: they are sold in the department stores, but they start at around $150 US and can go up to $1000 US. Since these tend to be your Italian imported brands, they are costly and receive a further mark-up, which then drives the price of your crappy plastic models up as well.

Good coffee and espresso is served here; you just really need to put the time and effort into finding them.

[eamo]

Look at this thread...

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=65067&highlight=bialetti