Starbucks in Seoul Jamsil, the Songpa KT Branch

October 17, 2023 306 Views

Since the opening of the first Starbucks store in front of Ewha Womans University on July 27, 1999, Starbucks has firmly established its presence in South Korea. Despite initial controversies over coffee prices exceeding meal costs, Starbucks has become an integral part of the country. Following in the footsteps of McDonald’s as a global restaurant chain, it has even given rise to the Starbucks Index, paralleling the Big Mac Index.

Nowadays, Starbucks outlets are easily found in key areas of major cities in Korea. Particularly in Seoul’s central districts, one can observe the dense concentration of Starbucks locations.

“Seoul Jamsil Cafe: Starbucks Songpa KT Branch”

Even in the Jamsil area, Starbucks is prevalent. The vicinity of Jamsil Station is dominated by Lotte-operated buildings such as Lotte World, Lotte Department Store, Lotte World Tower, and Lotte World Mall. Due to this, Lotte’s brands, including Lotteria and Angel-in-us Coffee, occupy prominent positions.

Brands not affiliated with Lotte are relatively situated on the outskirts. Starbucks follows this pattern, as you won’t find Starbucks in areas like Lotte Department Store, Lotte World Mall, or around Lotte World Tower. Instead, you can find Starbucks in other regions.

To the east of Lotte World Mall, there is the KT building, where Starbucks on the first floor welcomes visitors.

“1st Floor Café: Starbucks Songpa KT Branch”

Starbucks Songpa KT Branch is a one-floor café. While it may seem modest in size at first glance, with a central counter and seating on both sides, the space appears more expansive when viewed from the opposite end.

However, due to the considerable number of Starbucks enthusiasts, securing a seat is not an easy task. Jamsil is always bustling with people enjoying various attractions around Seokchon Lake and those provided by Lotte. Especially on weekends, families often come for outings, contributing to the lively atmosphere.

Nevertheless, since many Starbucks visitors prefer takeout or brief stays, surprisingly, it’s not too difficult to secure a seat.

“Seoul Jamsil: Starbucks Songpa KT Branch”