[Report] 'Coffee Hermes' Finally Lands in Korea... Feeling Like Nobility for 10,000 Won

'The Hermes of Coffee' Bashacoffee Opens First Domestic Store
1st Branch in Cheongdam-dong... Lotte Department Store Expansion
Selling 206 Types of Coffee... Also Offers Bakery and Steak Dining

"We hope you enjoy coffee with the feeling of a world trip."

Coffee sold in the coffee room of Basa Coffee Cheongdam flagship store.
Photo by Lee Myunghwan

Basha Coffee Cheongdam Flagship Store in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Kim Mina, head of the Basha team in the content division at Lotte Department Store, introduced the store this way. Since 206 types of 100% Arabica coffee beans sourced from 35 countries around the world are prepared, customers can enjoy a variety of premium coffee beans.

The Basha Coffee Flagship Cheongdam Store, opened on the 1st in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul by Lotte Department Store, is the first domestic store. Basha Coffee was inspired by the coffee room of the Dar El Basha palace in Morocco in 1910. At that time, the coffee room was a social venue where political and cultural figures gathered to drink coffee, which has now transformed into the current Basha Coffee store. Promoting premium coffee, it is called the "Herm?s of the coffee world" and is considered a must-have gift item for overseas travelers.

The Cheongdam store opened that day spans two floors with an area of 380㎡ (about 115 pyeong) and is located in an area known as a representative luxury shopping destination. It is near Apgujeong Rodeo Station, where the Galleria Department Store luxury hall and flagship stores of major luxury brands are located. The exterior is decorated in luxurious red and gold colors, and the first floor of the store is filled with coffee products wrapped in Basha Coffee’s signature orange accent color.

The exterior of Basha Coffee Cheongdam flagship store.
[Photo by Lotte Department Store]

Basha Coffee Cheongdam flagship store's coffee boutique on the first floor.
[Photo by Lotte Department Store]

The first floor of the store is a "coffee boutique" selling over 200 types of coffee beans, drip bags, and coffee accessories. A professional coffee master is stationed in the boutique to help customers choose coffee according to their preferences. When purchasing coffee, the beans are ground to various coarseness levels depending on the desired brewing method. Coffee drip bags and coffee bean collection products are also sold, and gift wrapping is available.

A "takeaway" corner for customers packaging coffee is also operated on the first floor. Even when taking coffee to go, customers can select and enjoy various Basha Coffee beans directly. Some bakery products can also be purchased at the takeaway corner. When purchasing takeaway coffee, desserts such as Chantilly cream and crystal sugar sticks known as "glass straws," symbolizing Basha Coffee, are provided together on a tray.

The second floor is a "coffee room" with 50 seats. In the coffee room, customers can directly taste over 200 types of Arabica coffee beans. It is also notable that the menu includes desserts and brunch that pair well with coffee, afternoon tea sets, and main dishes such as steak and pasta. Wine and non-alcoholic mocktails are also available.

Takeaway coffee menu lineup at Basha Coffee Cheongdam flagship store.
[Photo by Lee Myunghwan]

The Basha Coffee tasted directly in the coffee room that day had a rich aroma of Arabica coffee beans. Unlike typical cafes where coffee is served in a cup, a gold coffee pot and cup set were separately prepared. A professional server explained the characteristics of the ordered beans while pouring the coffee into the cup. Chantilly cream and vanilla beans, which can be enjoyed with the coffee, were prepared at each table. Customers can enjoy the coffee by mixing Chantilly cream to drink it like a latte or adding vanilla beans according to their preference.

However, since Basha Coffee is a premium brand, it is priced high. For takeaway, the price of one cup of coffee starts from 11,000 KRW, and coffee consumed directly in the second-floor coffee room is priced in the mid-10,000 KRW range. However, when drinking in the coffee room, coffee is served in a coffee pot containing about 3 to 4 cups based on the coffee cup size.

Juhyun Lee, head of the content division at Lotte Department Store, said, "We put great effort into raising the premium value of Basha Coffee to the same level as overseas stores such as those in Morocco, from interior design to menu and service," adding, "We will continue to expand domestic sales channels step by step and make various efforts so that more customers can experience the premium value of Basha Coffee."

The Basha Coffee Cheongdam Flagship Store operates daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. From 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., there is a break time during which dining menu use is not available, and only coffee and pastries can be ordered.