"Fake Starbucks" Opens in Pyongyang, North Korea
"Collect 100 Purchase Rights to Get a Labubu Figure"
A Starbucks-Inspired Cafe Draws International Attention
A cafe in Pyongyang, North Korea, reminiscent of the American coffee brand Starbucks, has attracted attention for holding a 'Labubu' figure exchange event.
Sally Yin, a PR expert active between China and North Korea, recently posted about this on her social media account.
She released a notice photographed at the cafe, expressing surprise: "It's amazing that you have to spend 100 dollars on coffee to get a single Labubu," and added, "Not long ago, they held a blind box event, but now they've switched to Labubu."
The photo shows a notice reading "Labubu purchase rights for sale," along with details about the exchange process. Customers who order coffee can buy a purchase right for 1 dollar, while visitors who do not order a drink can buy it for 3 dollars. Collecting 100 purchase rights allows you to exchange them for a Labubu figure.
This cafe, named 'Mirai Reserve,' has copied the appearance, logo, and interior of Starbucks Reserve, earning it the nickname "North Korea's Starbucks." It is reportedly located inside the 'Rangrang Aeguk Kumganggwan' complex shopping mall in Pyongyang.
A notice about the 'Labubu' figure exchange event is placed at the Future Reserve Cafe. Screenshot from social media (SNS)
In the interior photos of the cafe shared by Sally Yin, elements such as wooden furniture, low lighting, leather chairs, and ceiling-mounted air conditioners closely resemble those of a Starbucks Reserve location. The menu board features familiar items like 'Strawberry Latte' and 'Iced Americano.' The logo displays an 'M'-shaped symbol instead of the Starbucks star.
Mirai Reserve cafe was also featured in The New York Times in August. At the time, a student studying in North Korea said, "I paid 25 dollars for three cups of coffee," and commented, "Prices in Pyongyang are higher than expected."
The Rangrang Aeguk Kumganggwan, where the cafe is located, is also called the "North Korean Ikea," as many of the furniture and lighting products sold there are said to closely resemble Ikea designs. Some products reportedly have identical names and packaging, sparking counterfeit controversies. Ikea has stated that it has no official sales channels in North Korea and is monitoring for potential intellectual property violations.
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