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If you’re visiting Seoul soon, you’ll quickly notice the city runs on coffee. Over 100,000 cafés nationwide — and the sheer number of chains you’ve never heard of can be overwhelming. A few quick tips to navigate it like a local: 1. Don’t ignore the “Budget Heroes” Yellow signage everywhere — Mega Coffee, Compose Coffee, Paik’s Coffee. A massive iced Americano costs around ₩1,500 (about $1). Don’t let the price fool you. The real trick is knowing which signature drink to order at each chain (like the Einspänner at Compose). 2. Learn the “Ah-Ah” culture Koreans drink iced Americanos year-round, even in freezing winter. The local slang is “Ah-Ah” (아아). Say it at the counter and watch the barista smile. 3. Kiosks are your best friend Almost every chain uses touch-screen kiosks. Look for the flag icon top-right to switch to English — no Korean needed. (Plus, there are a few local customization hacks worth trying when you order.) 4. Skip the standard Starbucks Korea’s Starbucks is a different beast. Starbucks Gyeongdong 1960 is built inside a retro cinema above a traditional market. The Seoul Wave Art Center location literally floats on the Han River. Worth the detour, especially for their location-exclusive menus. Hope this helps with your café hopping! There’s still a lot more to figure out—like which chains are best for a quick rest in crowded areas like Myeongdong, or what local desserts to try. Any questions about specific areas or chains, drop them in the comments ☕ submitted by /u/Federal_Hunt2183 |
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