Grab-and-go coffee in Korea gets an upgrade

Espresso bar Gute Leute’s espresso shot [LEE SUN-MIN]

When someone in Korea mentions going to a cafe, it often means something more than just getting a cup of coffee. Coffee shops are a place for people to linger with their laptops or books, or mingle with friends for hours.
  
But that trend has started to change in the past year, taking the form of espresso bars where people get shots at the bar and leave right away. Although the concept of a small cafe without any available seating is common in Italy and elsewhere in the world, the idea was rarely enjoyed by locals here, until recently.
 
Reminiscent of travels around Europe, the espresso bars listed below are some of the most well-known places in Seoul. 
 
In Songpa District, southern Seoul, Varenna gives discounts to customers who choose to drink their coffee by the bar instead of sitting down, and at Seonho Roasters, customers can choose different liquors to add to their coffee drinks.
 
In Mapo District, western Seoul, Monsieur Bubu Coffee Stand is decorated like a cozy living room, and the office-heavy Yeouido neighborhood has a variety of options like Byronic Espresso Bar.
 
Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, is home to the popular Mots Coffee Espresso Bar.
 
Gangnam District in southern Seoul probably has the most options, including Café Del Cotone and Gute Leute.
 
 

Leesar


Leesar is one of the first espresso bars to have popped up in Seoul that received significant spotlight, and has now become one of the must-visit spots among coffee lovers. What started as a shop close to Yaksu Station in Jung District, central Seoul, now has another coffee bar in restaurant-heavy Gangnam District.
 

Espresso cups stacked up at Leesar [SCREEN CAPTURE]

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the trending photos of people stacking up multiple espresso cups started from frequents to this particular cafe. The affordable price of 1,500 won ($1.10) per shot encouraged visitors to order multiple cups and show off their caffeine intake on social media.
 
Its Yaksu branch closes early, at 3:30 p.m., and opens its doors at 7 a.m. Its Cheongdam branch runs on a more traditional Korean cafe schedule, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 
@leesarcoffee
 
 
Second Coffee


Located near Changdeok Palace in central Seoul, Second Coffee is at the heart of the city.
 

Second Coffee’s espresso con pana [LEE SUN-MIN]

It offers espresso from three different types of coffee beans with varying acidity, so visitors can choose beans according to their preference. Some specialty drinks are only available with certain types of beans, such as the espresso con pana, which is only made with the darkest bean type called Night+.
 
It has bar tables for those who want to make a quick coffee stop, and less than 10 seats for those who want to stay a little longer. It plays classical music and some opera.
 
@secondcoffee
 
 
Bamaself


Cafe-heavy Yongsan District in central Seoul has a small espresso bar called Bamaself, steps away from Namyeong Station. The espresso bar gives encouragement with the writings and drawings on its walls.
 
A popular item on the menu is Caffe Zucchero, an espresso shot with sugar added. The sweetness of the single shot makes it easier for people with no espresso experience to take the caffeine dive.
 

Bamaself’s Caffee Triocolore [LEE SUN-MIN]

Another signature drink is the Caffe Tricolore, which means coffee with three colors. It combines coffee granita, which is dark brown, espresso cream, which is beige, and milk gelato, white. It is served in a larger glass and is another good choice for coffee novices.
 
@bamaself
 
 
Peer Espresso Bar

Peer Espress Bar [LEE SUN-MIN]

In line with the ongoing trend, Peer Coffee, with branches in central Seoul’s Gwanghwamun and eastern Seoul’s Seongsu, recently opened a new spot in Hannam-dong that focuses more on serving a variety of espresso.
 
The bar, located on the hillside in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, close to the Hannam Bridge, is on the first floor of a red brick building with floor-to-ceiling windows. A few steps away from the restaurant-heavy area in Hannam-dong, the espresso bar offers a view of Mount Namsan from afar and some greenery in the area.
 
To cater better to the locals in the neighborhood looking for a cup to start their day, it offers a 500-won discount on espresso drinks until noon this month. The only seating available are the bar seats and one large communal table.
 
It also offers more diluted caffeinated drinks such as Americanos and lattes, but they are only available for a take-out.
 
@peer_coffee_roasters

BY LEE SUN-MIN [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]