Higher coffee education: Seoul's Cabae Duream

Thirteen floors up in Seoul's Artreon Cinema building, close to Ewha Women’s University, Cabae Duream is a swanky little café committed to the art, and joy, of fine coffee. Replete with funky furniture and tons of antique memorabilia, it also boasts a three-story open air terrace with incredible views of the city.

And holding all this together at Cabae Duream is the staff. Friendly, accommodating and schooled in MBA coffee seminars to ensure every cup you order sends trickles of flavor-induced satisfaction down your throat, these are experts that take caffeine cravings to heart. 

A Cabae Duream cup of Joe.

Coffee gaining steam in Korea

With fifteen locations throughout Seoul, and two more slated to open up in Shanghai and Dubai in the coming months, the buzz is catching on. The man behind the vision is coffee academy advisor Seung-hun Kim. He oversees all matters of schooling in the barista training center he set up one floor below. “Coffee is gaining incredible popularity in Korea,” Kim notes. “What I envisioned with Cabae Duream was to deliver the utmost in quality for customers. I feel that is what really separates us from the many other chains.” 

Whereas Starbucks and the like train staff to some degree, the approach at Cabae Duream is somewhat more in-depth. In order to fully complete their coffee MBA certification, students must successfully pass a series of tests and must re-take the tests if necessary. Furthermore, graduates of Kim’s program often go on to pursue lifelong careers in coffee.

In many ways, South Korea is very much a tea based culture. At least, that’s what the history books say. But, the recent rise in the bean’s popularity and exponential growth of coffee hangouts may have one of the country’s most revered kings to thank. Ever since King Gojong took a shine to the stuff in the late 1800’s, coffee has been the peninsula's hot beverage of choice. Cabae Duream is actually the name of Gojong’s original blend of coffee. That might explain why they rigorously school employees in order to preserve the integrity of its history.

Whether you prefer coffee of the drip variety or something a tad more extravagant, Cabae Duream's menu has all the bases covered. The Golden Cappuccino (7,000 won) is mild but satisfying, as is the Mocha Café Slim (5,500 won). Lovers of a stronger brew should sample a cup of Brazil Santos No. 2 (5,000 won) or Peru Fair Trade (6,000 won). The Columbian Excelso (5,000 won) is another winner.

Getting there: Take subway Line 2 to Sinchon Station and hop out exit 4. Artreon Cinema building is roughly 500m away. You’ll find Cabae Duream on the 13th floor.

Writer/photographer Gregory Curley left his native Canada for South Korea seven years ago. He’s been making Seoul his home ever since. When he’s not busy trying to appear creative as a copywriter, he’s blogging away or contributing assignments to both CNNGo and SEOUL magazine.

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