Starbucks Korea is a popular place for travellers and locals to enjoy a cup of coffee or sweet treat – with around 1900 coffee shops in Korea, Starbucks South Korea is ranked fourth in the world in terms of number of cafes, after the USA, China and Japan.
From exclusive South Korea Starbucks mugs to cute collectibles and plushies, there is lots to enjoy when visiting – and did you also know the highest coffee shop in the world is the Busan Starbucks located at the top of Busan X The Sky on the 99th floor?
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From the hanok Starbucks in Daegu and Seoul’s picturesque Bukhansan National Park Starbucks to the best collectibles and Starbucks mugs, here is our guide to visiting Starbucks in South Korea.
P.S. We know there are lots of amazing independent Korean cafes to enjoy and we wholly support that and have written about them our area guides like Seongsu-dong and Ikseon-Dong in Seoul, or Seomyeon and Jeonpo in Busan – but sometimes you might just want the familiarity of a Starbucks.
This article was originally published on cktravels.com on 10 March 2025.
You might like – Our guide to the 40 best things to do in South Korea >
South Korea checklist
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All set for South Korea? Do one final check with our Seoul first timers guide and our South Korea packing list
Korea Starbucks – An Overview
Since opening its first Korea branch in 1999 in Sinchon (Seoul), South Korea Starbucks is set to open its 2,000th store in Korea in 2025 (it is currently at around 1990 cafes, as of mid January 2025).
South Korea Starbucks is renowned for opening unusual and interesting Starbucks including the famous Daegu hanok Starbucks, plus others in the historic South Korean cities of Jeonju and Gyeongju – we’ll be looking at some of the most beautiful Starbucks in this article later on.
Starbucks Korea drinks prices start from around 3,700 Korean Won for a small caffe americano or espresso macchiato. Flat whites start from 5,000 Korean Won.
Starbucks prices in Korea increased in early 2025 due to increased costs and the Korean won weakening – their most popular drink, a tall Starbucks Americano, is now priced at 4,700 Korean Won – around £2.60 or $3.25 USD as of January 2025.
As with all their branches around the world, Starbucks South Korea also has limited edition flavors several times of the year such as pumpkin spice lattes during Halloween, sakura and cherry blossom themed drinks during spring and also Christmas specials.
You might like – Our guide to the best Seoul neighborhoods or the best Busan neighborhoods
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Starbucks Korea Mugs – Standard Collection
Any regular visitor to Starbucks in different countries will be well aware that each ‘region’ has its own Starbucks – we’ve seen this in so many countries such as Thailand, Taiwan and Japan.
South Korea Starbucks also has regional mugs and cups including:
- Seoul
- Busan
- Gangwon
- Chungcheong
- Gyeongju
- Gyeonggi
- Jeonju
- Jeju Island
- Jeolla
Most of these Korea Starbucks mug designs showing the various South Korea cities also come in tumbler versions plus smaller tea cups.
On our last trip to South Korea, Starbucks also had regional cute bear figures to represent each of the regions wearing different outfits.
For instance, the Jeju Island Starbucks bear was wearing a diving outfit as a nod to the maritime heritage of Jeju and its famous female Haenyeo divers.
Or the Gyeonggi Starbucks bear is wearing a historic Royal Palace guard outfit – too cute!
South Korea Hallyu tip – you don’t have to travel to all the regions to collect the Korea Starbucks mugs if you don’t want – we found pretty much every region represented in Seoul Starbucks stores especially in the larger Starbucks cafes dotted around Myeongdong .
You might like – Things to do in Seoul with kids >
Other Starbucks Korea Merchandise and Collectibles
Starbucks Korea also does special mugs with collaborations, or during seasonal holidays and festivals like at Christmas or Valentines Day.
We’ve even seen limited edition Starbucks South Korea collaborations like Playmobil branded Starbucks vans and little toys dressed as staff members.
Some Korea Starbucks merchandise is even exclusive to just one store, like these Starbucks hamper and glasses set only available at Starbucks Gyeongdong 1960 Branch in Seoul.
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The Best Starbucks in South Korea
Looking for the most beautiful Starbucks in Korea? From historic hanok Starbucks to a sublime Seoul Starbucks located in an old theater plus the world’s highest Starbucks, here are some of their coolest coffee shops across Korea:
Seoul Starbucks Gyeongdong 1960
Also known as ‘Kyungdong 1960’, this Seoul Starbucks opened recently in an old theater above Gyeongdong Market. The original theater opened in 1960 and sadly closed down in 1994 before being restored to its former glory.
It is Starbucks’ South Korea fifth Community Store, whereby some money from the takings will go back into helping restore Gyeongdong Market, plus community groups are encouraged to meet here.
From the interiors and how to find it, read our guide to the Gyeongdong / Starbucks ‘Kyungdong 1960’ in an old Seoul theater >
You might like – Our guide to the best South Korean street foods >
World’s Tallest Starbucks at Busan X The Sky, South Korea
Have you ‘bean’ to the world’s tallest Starbucks, located in Busan, South Korea? A superb Starbucks in the sky, this is the ultimate brew with a view coffee shop on the 99th floor of a skyscraper and over 400 metres high!
Busan X The Sky (overlooking Haeundae Beach) opened in 2020 – as well as being the tallest building in Busan, it is the second tallest building in South Korea (after the Lotte World Tower in Seoul).
From panoramic views of Busan (the perfect accompaniment to your coffee) to the store layout and Starbucks merchandise and menu available, here is our guide to visiting the world’s tallest Starbucks at Haeundae X The Sky >
CK Travels tip – you can get ‘free’ admission to Busan X The Sky as part of the Visit Busan pass which we’ve used and reviewed here >
You might like – Things to do in Busan or our guide to Busan at night
Korea Starbucks Daegu Jongro Old House AKA the Hanok Starbucks
Finally, Starbucks in Korea is famous for its hanok style coffee shops, often opened up in historic buildings (or modern ones aged to look older than they actually are).
Perhaps the best known is the famous Daegu Starbucks Jongro Old Houselocated in an old hanok and opened in 2023 – when it was discussed in our South Korea Travel Tips and Planning Facebook group, this hanok Starbucks was one of the most discussed and shared posts ever.
We were lucky enough to visit Daegu in 2025 and finally go ourselves. Housed in a hundred year old hanok house with a gorgeous green courtyard, this is a cute and calming place for a cup of Starbucks in Korea (well, if you can get a seat as it can be busy…)
Here is our guide to Korea’s Starbucks Daegu Jongro Old House >
We’ve also seen several other hanok Starbucks including Gyeongju and Jeonju.
Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center
If you like unusual Starbucks, time to get your caffeine fix at Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center.
Located on Seoul’s River Han, this special floating Starbucks in South Korea certainly knows how to make a splash.
As far as we know, the world’s only Starbucks that has life jackets – Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center, is a nice way to start your day, or reward yourself after a long river walk.
For the ultimate brews with river views, read our guide visiting the unique Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center in Seoul >
You might like – 20+ Weird and wonderful things to do in Seoul >
Seoul Starbucks Bukhansan – Korea’s Starbucks in the mountains
Starbucks The Bukhansan is easily Seoul’s most beautiful Starbucks, with a huge outdoor terrace and indoor area overlooking Bukhansan National Park.
Best combined with nearby Eunpyeong Hanok Village (which is one of our favourite day-trips from Seoul), getting to Starbucks The Bukhansan 스타벅스 더북한산 is easier than you might think.
With exclusive merchandise, blends and desserts available only in this mountainside Starbucks, this is a fun trip for Korea Starbucks fans or just those who like brews with views.
From photos to how to get to this Starbucks from Seoul, check out our ultimate guide to Seoul’s Starbucks The Bukhansan >
DMZ Starbucks / Aegibong Starbucks Observatory
Billed as the closest Starbucks to North Korea, Starbucks Aegibong Peace Ecopark 스타벅스 김포애기봉생태공원점 has a terrace and seating area looking out into North Korea.
The journey takes around two hours one-way from downtown Seoul using buses, trains and the Metro so you might want to do a tour instead with Klook or Get Your Guide.
You might also like our guide to DMZ tours from Seoul + FAQs >
Seoul Starbucks Famille Park
One of our favourite places to visit at Gangnam’s Shinsegae Central City is the Starbucks Famille Park branch.
A very unique Starbucks in Gangnam, this special Korean themed Starbucks opened to mark 15 years of Starbucks being in South Korea – there are ‘flying birds’ on the ceiling and the dome represents a forest setting.
You might like – 30+ Things to do in Gangnam, Seoul >
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