Back Stories » Vietnam » Cong Caphe Will Open First-Ever Outlet in Seoul This Month

Cong Caphe Will Open First-Ever Outlet in Seoul This Month

The popular pre-Doi Moi-style coffee chain is set to expand to Seoul, South Korea.

According to YTN, a Korean news site, this will be the franchise’s first move overseas, and it is understandable why the chosen location is Seoul. Vietnam is a popular destination for Korean tourists and expats, and it makes sense that they would want to have a taste of the country when they go back to their homeland.

Cong Caphe announced the exciting news back in March, with the creation of an official Instagram account (@congcaphe_kr). The expected opening date is July 31, in the neighborhood of Yeonnam-dong, a hotspot among Korean youth. The cafe chain's posts on Instagram have received positive responses from Korean and Vietnamese alike.

According to Asia Time, another Korean news source, the staff in charge of the store in Yeonnam-dong are being trained in Vietnam. The barista will also be an experienced Vietnamese who will live in Seoul.

Cong Caphe started as a small, retro-style coffee house on Trieu Viet Vuong Street in Hanoi in 2007. Its name is said to derive from the first word of the country’s official name. The cafe’s interior design and menu provide the atmosphere of thời bao cấp in northern Vietnam, a period of time when Vietnam was administered under a command economy. Customers can feel its vintage theme in the wooden tables, dim lights, the color of the walls and furniture, and the background music.

The cafe also offers old Vietnamese snacks, including croissant with condensed milk for dipping, which are expected to be sold in the Seoul cafe, preserving the unique experience of Vietnam in the 80s.

The franchise currently operates more than 50 stores in Vietnam’s major cities, and Seoul is the first step in expanding the franchise abroad.

[Photo via We25]


Related Articles:

- Vietnamese Cafes Take on Global Giants, Emerge Victorious

- [Video] Finding Solace at Saigon's 'Shutterbug' Hẻm Cafe

- Popularity of Coffee Fuels Strong Profits and Rapid Expansion for Coffee Chains in Vietnam


Related Articles

in Vietnam

Đà Nẵng Cafe Sparks Heated Online Debate for Refusing to Serve Children Under 12

A seemingly innocuous notice by a coffee shop in Đà Nẵng has sparked polarizing responses from netizens across Vietnam.

in Food Culture

Hoi An's Banh Mi Phuong Opens First Overseas Branch in Seoul

After Hanoi’s legendary Pho Thin Lo Duc, another culinary stalwart in Vietnam has brought its creations to East Asia.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: On the Nguyen Du Sidewalk, Connoisseur Coffee at Pavement Prices

Contemporary coffee culture in Saigon is largely one of extremes. On one end, enthusiasts at trendy shops source, grow, roast and meticulously prepare some of the finest beans in the wo...

in Vietnam Hẻm Gems

Hẻm Gems: Đà Lạt's Nomadic 'Cafe' Has No Menu, No Store, and One Table

During a recent trip to Đà Lạt, a friend invited me for coffee at 5:30am. The frosty climate of the Central Highlands mornings concerned me, but upon hearing the pitch about a whimsical cafe that oper...

in Hanoi Ngõ Nooks

Ngõ Nooks: The 'Tiny' Cafe That Contains Multitudes

Hidden down a quiet alley opposite the B-52 Victory Museum on Đội Cấn in Ba Đình District is the gateway to Tiny Cafe. Make sure you look carefully, as the sign is easily missed, and this isn’t somewh...

in Food Culture

Phuc Long Coffee and Tea to Open First US Store in California in July

A Saigon youth staple is venturing beyond Vietnam with an ambitious expansion to the United States.

Partner Content