Top Coffee Roasters in South Korea
South Korea has one of the most sophisticated specialty coffee markets in the world — café density in Seoul rivals Tokyo, and Korean baristas consistently place at international competitions. The roasters here are not just local heroes: Seoul's Fritz and Coffee Libre ship globally, and Busan's Momos produced the 2019 World Barista Champion. Korea's scene is worth knowing on its own terms.
- 1Fritz Coffee CompanySeoul, South Korea
Fritz Coffee Company is a Seoul-based specialty roaster co-founded by BK Kim and one of South Korea's most prominent coffee brands, operating multiple cafes alongside direct trade sourcing, a subscription club, and international shipping.
- 2Coffee LibreSeoul, South Korea
Coffee Libre is a Seoul specialty roaster founded by Pil Hoon Seu in Yeonnam-dong, taking a sourcing-first approach to traceable single-farm and micro-lot coffees from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Colombia, Kenya, Peru, and beyond.
- 3Anthracite Coffee RoastersSeoul, South Korea
Anthracite Coffee Roasters grew from a repurposed factory in Seoul's Hapjeong neighborhood into a specialty mainstay with four Seoul locations and one on Jeju Island, drawing praise from Sprudge for its industrial-conversion aesthetic.
- 4Momos CoffeeBusan, South Korea
Momos Coffee in Busan is the home of Jooyeon Jeon, who in 2019 became the first Korean — and only the second woman — to win the World Barista Championship. The roastery grew from a small takeaway window into one of the country's most respected specialty operations, and stands as the southern counterweight to Seoul's big three.