How has Korea managed to grow its economy tremendously and mark its presence in the skincare, entertainment and food industry internationally within a few decades? Korea’s ppalli-ppalli (translates to “quickly quickly”) culture strives for efficiency above all else and dictates the way of life. The one exception to the ppalli-ppalli culture? Cafes. Unlike how Americans view Starbucks as a stop in their morning commute or a study spot, the cafe culture in Korea is entirely focused on giving customers a space to feel a moment of peace, socialize and try the country’s trendiest desserts. Given how crucial they are to social life, cafes regularly open until midnight in busy areas and it’s customary to grab coffee with friends after every meal.
My main complaint with coffee shops in the U.S. is that they always close around 3 PM. After a day of classes, all I want to do is walk over to a coffee shop and disassociate while I munch on a pastry and re-caffeinate myself. My solution to this first-world problem? Find a Korean-American cafe. They’re guaranteed to close much later because they understand the importance of community building around coffee. Luckily, UCLA is close to many incredible cafes that serve as great study spots, places to gossip and most importantly, a retreat from a chaotic day. Here are some of my top recommendations:
- Yeems
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If Yeems wasn’t my favorite cafe in LA, I would never go because of how terrible the parking situation is. But once you get in, you’ll understand why people go crazy over this tiny cafe with barely any seating. As one Yelp user states, the “eclectic music vibes had [them feeling] very chill,” which is what Korean cafes are all about. Stand in line for the famous Vienna latte with house-made cream and please order the Lox Toast while you’re at it.
Hours: 7:30 AM–6 PM
- MemoryLook
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I’ll start with three powerful words: free parking lot. MemoryLook’s interior design parallels the popular extreme minimalist/concrete aesthetic that many modern cafes in Korea have. If you’ve ever been inside Gayley Heights and seen the exposed concrete, that’s what the inside of MemoryLook looks like (but better). The best area is the outside patio that has plenty of seating and shade. I highly recommend any of their einspänner drinks if you love sweet cream cold foam.
Hours: 8 AM-9 PM (I told you Korean cafes close later!)
Note: MemoryLook has announced on Instagram that they are temporarily closed for construction.
- DAMO
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The limited seating and busy parking lot do not affect how busy DAMO gets. The free parking lot gets packed around noon so I would advise going earlier. DAMO is a newer, women-owned cafe that has quickly caught the attention of tea lovers with its extensive tea selection. Notable menu items include the hōjicha einspänner (which tastes like the most sophisticated boba milk tea) and the Dagwa, which is an assortment of traditional Korean snacks including sweet nutty rice cakes and dried persimmon with walnut and cream.
Hours: 7:30 AM–6 PM
- Cafe de Mama
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Cafe de Mama is another great cafe with plenty of seating. Their popular drinks such as the injeolmi cream latte (topped with small powdered rice cakes on a skewer) or the black sesame cream latte are some of the most creative drinks that use flavors common in Korean cuisine. I find that their menu resembles the drinks common in trendy Korean cafes where innovation and visually pleasing aesthetics are requirements.
Hours: 8 PM – 8 PM
Tip: Walk right over to Coin de Rue, a bakery next door that sells traditional Korean baked goods, cakes and croquettes. My favorite ones are the sweet red bean bun and the purple potato bread that’s shaped like a real Japanese sweet potato.
- Coffee MCO
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When I tell you Korea takes its cafe culture seriously, I mean it. I’ve been to a cafe inside a bread factory designed so people can eat bread, drink coffee and watch the bakers for hours. While not as big as a factory, Coffee MCO is a two-story coffee shop with a private parking lot, reliable Wi-Fi, lots of seating and a great food menu. Thrillist has included it in a list of the best craft coffee shops in LA so it has to be good. What I love most is the amount of indoor and outdoor seating. If I’m grabbing coffee with a friend, I want a temperature-regulated environment so we can talk for hours until the coffee hits and a bathroom must be located.
Fun Fact: the signature drinks are named after the owner Joseph Shin’s dogs.
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Whether you reach for coffee for the caffeine or the taste, I recommend trying out different cafes as a way to decompress, explore nearby neighborhoods and expand your palate. A great cup of coffee goes beyond just the taste; it’s intentionally taking a break to treat yourself, catching up with a friend or finally getting to start that book you’ve had on your Kindle for weeks. We’re fortunate to live in an area with incredible AAPI-inspired food and coffee options, whether it be a pandan latte, Thai iced tea or some delectable Japanese cheese tarts. Throughout the remainder of my time at UCLA, I’ll be on a journey to try out all the local AAPI-owned dessert and coffee shops, and I hope you will too!