From Ssanghwa Tea to Korean-Style Salt Bread... The 'K-Cafe' Craze Sweeps the UK [K-Holic]

'K-cafes' Captivate the UK

Differentiated Menus with Mugwort Latte and More

"Trends in Korean Cafes Evolve Rapidly"

Editor's NoteGlobal interest in Korean culture is rapidly growing. Korean-related products and content, such as K-food and K-beauty, are permeating the daily lives of overseas consumers, going beyond a specific group of enthusiasts. [K-Holic] sheds light on the 'Korean wave' being captured around the world and examines why global consumers are paying attention to Korea.

Recently, so-called 'K-cafes' offering Korean-style desserts and beverages are emerging as a new trend in various parts of the world. Korean-style cafes, which emphasize unique menu selections and spatial experiences, are gaining popularity among local consumers and are establishing competitiveness in the global food service market.

"K-cafes appear in London as well... Scenes of enjoying mugwort latte will soon become familiar"

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On February 20 (local time), Bloomberg News reported that Korean-style cafes are emerging as a new pillar of the Hallyu (Korean Wave) in London, United Kingdom. The media outlet stated, "Over the past decade, the cultural phenomenon known as 'Hallyu' has swept the world," adding, "Hallyu, which began in the late 1990s with the export of Korean dramas primarily to East Asia, has since expanded across borders to include K-pop, film, beauty, fashion, and food.""

It went on to say, "This kind of 'soft power' is now manifesting in a new form: Korean-style cafes in London. These cafes combine stylish space design, casual menus utilizing gochujang, and creative beverages."

Representative examples highlighted include 'Angel Dabang' and 'Look Left by Yugu.' Angel Dabang is a cafe decorated with traditional Korean furniture and offers sweetened dabang coffee with condensed milk, misutgaru (roasted grain powder drink), ssanghwa tea, and more. It also sells a tteokbokki menu for 9.50 pounds (about 18,000 won). Meanwhile, Look Left by Yugu, which opened in London Fields in October 2024, is differentiating itself with Korean fusion menu items such as kimchi and sweet potato cheese toast, black sesame tiramisu, and mugwort latte. Ben Kim, co-founder of Angel Dabang, stated, "As British consumers become more familiar with Korean culture, the cafe market is opening up as a new sector."

The article also spotlighted 'Tokkia,' which opened in Covent Garden in December 2025. This cafe offers a variety of tea beverages such as Korean-style matcha, hojicha, and persimmon matcha, and sells Korean-style salt bread-a product derived from Japanese shio-pan. Unlike the typically solemn atmosphere of Japanese matcha specialty stores, Tokkia is characterized by a more cheerful and free-spirited space.

Sooji Lim, CEO of Tokkia, commented, "Cafe trends change very quickly in Korea, and Koreans are sensitive to trends." Bloomberg analyzed that this cultural agility is one of the reasons why the world is enthusiastic about Korean culture in general. The media also evaluated that these cafes are not mere replicas of Seoul branches, but have formed as unique establishments reflecting local British experiences and preferences. The article noted, "It will soon become more common to see people enjoying salt bread together with mugwort latte."

"Coffee holds significant meaning in Korea"

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The most prominent feature of Korean cafes is their emphasis on 'spatiality.' Rather than simply being places that sell coffee, many Korean cafes function as complex cultural spaces focused on the overall experience. Compared to Western cafes, which often operate on a takeout-oriented model, Korean cafes are typically designed for longer stays, with customers studying, working, or holding gatherings for extended periods.

Another characteristic is the intense competition, which drives rapid differentiation in concepts and menu innovation. According to the National Data Portal, the number of coffee shops in Korea surpassed 100,000 for the first time at the end of 2022. As the market grows, not only franchises but also unique independent cafes are expanding their influence, intensifying competition even further.

The British lifestyle and design magazine The Spaces reported last month in an article titled "What is the latest trend in cafe culture? Korea shows the way," that "coffee in Korea now holds significant meaning." It continued, "Cafes have evolved into multifunctional, all-day spaces, with many designed by renowned architects and designers," and added, "Coffee has become more than just a beverage; it has established itself as a social custom."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.