Coffee market in South Korea - statistics & facts
Coffee is a big deal in South Korea. Despite tea culture in the country dating back over one thousand years, nowadays coffee in its various forms is sold by a wide range of cafes and stores and is arguably the most popular drink in Korea. Coffee penetrated offices, restaurants, and homes in the 1970s with Dong Suh Foods Corporation’s innovation, instant coffee, which was easy to make and consume. Later in the 2000s, Koreans started to appreciate brewed coffees as well, with increased coffee product sales, and in two decades the industry has now reached saturation.
Among the most popular mega coffee franchises were Starbucks, Mega Coffee, and Paik's Coffee. However, apart from Starbucks, Ediya had the most cafes in South Korea as of 2023. All of these franchise rivals compete vigorously across different domains such as dessert menus, discount policies, and user-friendly services. Many offer rooms where visitors can study or work, some even with video projectors and whiteboards. Independent cafés on the other hand, tend to specialize in their menu or offer unique concepts in their interior. Recently, chain stores offering coffee at a low price point, often to-go, experience great popularity.
Korean love for coffee
The average adult over 19 years old consumed around one to two cups a day. Coffee has become the go-to beverage for a majority of South Koreans, still growing in popularity. This leads to continuously increasing coffee consumption in the country.Among the most popular mega coffee franchises were Starbucks, Mega Coffee, and Paik's Coffee. However, apart from Starbucks, Ediya had the most cafes in South Korea as of 2023. All of these franchise rivals compete vigorously across different domains such as dessert menus, discount policies, and user-friendly services. Many offer rooms where visitors can study or work, some even with video projectors and whiteboards. Independent cafés on the other hand, tend to specialize in their menu or offer unique concepts in their interior. Recently, chain stores offering coffee at a low price point, often to-go, experience great popularity.
