Why these Korean cafes in London are exploding in popularity
High-concept design meets casual dishes and innovative hot drinks at London’s Korean cafes, a popular model fuelled by social media
KPop Demon Hunters. BTS. Kimchi. For the past dozen years, a cultural force known as hallyu, or the “Korean wave”, has engulfed the world. What began as a modest export of South Korean soap operas to other parts of East Asia in the late 90s metamorphosed into a transnational obsession with K-pop, K-dramas and Korean cinema, skin care, fashion and food.
The model has proven popular, fuelled by social media and the appeal of all-day hang-outs that invite frequent visits. But these places are not exact replicas of their Seoul counterparts; instead, they have their own identity, subtly influenced by their owners’ experiences in the UK.
Also new in London are Angel Dabang, where the specialities are dabang coffee – made creamy with condensed milk – and kkwabaegi (twisted doughnuts), and Look Left by Yugu, which focuses on mugwort lattes and Korean fusion plates. Both spots draw crowds, and Angel Dabang is already looking to relocate to a bigger space.
