The United States-based, Japanese-influenced Blue Bottle Coffee will open its first café in Korea on 3 May, marking a new phase of growth for the company in Asia.
Blue Bottle’s roughly 4300-square-metre headquarters in Seoul will also include a roastery and training lab, which will be open for public tours, classes, and tastings.
Korea is the second international market for the company, which opened its first Tokyo cafe in 2015, inspired by the hospitality of traditional Japanese kissaten– Japanese coffee houses serving drip coffee – culture.
“Every time we visit Korea, we are deeply honoured by the enthusiasm and love for our brand,” Blue Bottle Coffee CEO Bryan Meehan says.
“Our Instagram account has more followers in Seoul than any other city in the world. Korean guests have travelled thousands of miles to meet us in the United States and Japan. Finally, we are bringing Blue Bottle to our loyal Korean guests.”
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The industrial red brick building that Blue Bottle Korea will call home is located in the Seongsu neighbourhood, often referred to as the “Brooklyn” of Seoul.
The space, designed by Jo Nagasaka of Schemata Architects, displays Blue Bottle’s signature emphasis on natural light and warm minimalism. Featuring an open atrium with glass separating the first and second floors, the building offers a transparent view from street level into Blue Bottle’s roastery. Guests will descend a staircase into the below-ground café, where classic walnut chairs and tables provide a comfortable resting place.
In addition to a selection of blend and single origin drip coffees, iced coffees, and espresso drinks, Blue Bottle Korea will offer pastries exclusively created for the company by local patissier, Maison M’O.
Blue Bottle will open a second cafe in Seoul later in the second quarter and has plans for more cafés by the end of 2019.
