The Golden Age of K-Cafés? – Jay Lee’s U.S. Report (126)
- nofearljc
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
"The Golden Age of K-Cafés? – Jay Lee’s U.S. Report (126)
High Ratings for Tilt Coffee, Loquat Coffee – ‘Maru Coffee’ Gaining Popularity
Korean cafés stand out with stylish interiors and great coffee
‘Gisa Sikdang’ opens in Manhattan – Could K-Cafés be next?
△ Jongchan Lee, CEO of J&B Food Consulting
The U.S. is home to Starbucks, one of the most powerful coffee brands in the world, offering a consistent experience globally. However, recently, Korean barista-led cafés have been gaining popularity in Starbucks’ home country.
Some of the highest-rated Korean cafés on Yelp in Los Angeles include:
Tilt Coffee (4.8 stars)
Loquat Coffee (4.8 stars)
Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab (4.7 stars)
Stereoscope Coffee (4.6 stars)
Other popular Korean-run cafés in Koreatown include Damo, Memory Look, IMSS Coffee, RNY Coffee Studio, and Coffee MCO. One standout is Maru Coffee, which has such a strong following that customers line up outside.
Past Failures and a New Opportunity
Korean coffee chains like Caffebene and Tom N Toms previously attempted to expand into the U.S. but failed to compete against Starbucks’ strong brand identity and efficient systems. However, with the rise of K-Food and K-Culture, Korean cafés may now have another chance. Over the years, Korean franchises like fried chicken brands have found success in the U.S., suggesting that K-Cafés could follow suit.
The Appeal of K-Cafés in the U.S.
California alone has 15,047 coffee shops, with about 3,300 in Los Angeles. Korean cafés attract coffee lovers with their trendy, stylish interiors and high-quality brews. Many have also built their brands beyond just serving coffee by:
Selling specialty coffee beans (wholesale and retail)
Creating and selling merchandise
Engaging in active social media marketing
In South Korea, the café scene has become incredibly competitive, with elaborate interiors, European-style aesthetics, and Instagram-worthy designs appearing across the country. During recent business trips to Korea, I noticed that even small towns had an overwhelming number of trendy cafés. I wondered, Can all these cafés really survive?
Due to overcompetition, Korean cafés have perfected both taste and ambiance, making them well-prepared for success in the U.S..
K-Café Expansion: A Sign of the Times?
Amid economic struggles, even well-known cafés have closed—such as the one run by Lee Sang-soon in Jeju. In Korea, small businesses like convenience stores, cafés, and fried chicken shops have become overly saturated. However, there is still room for growth overseas.
Interestingly, a Korean “Gisa Sikdang” (driver’s diner) recently opened in Manhattan, operating under its Korean name—and it’s doing well. If Korean diners can make it in New York, it’s only a matter of time before K-Cafés experience their own golden age in the U.S.
Feel free to contact us
jay@jnbfoodconsulting.com or 714-873-5566
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