Where celebrities and entrepreneurs indulge in the world of luxury coffee omakase
For most people, a cup of coffee is a daily indulgence that costs less than 7,000 won ($5.27). For a select few, however, it can be a luxury experience worth as much as 3.5 million won, built around exceptionally rare beans and meticulously tailored brewing methods.
Gongkhan 21, a specialty coffee house in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district, is drawing attention for its high-end coffee. Its omakase menu offers customers the opportunity to sample rare coffees sourced from some of the world’s most acclaimed producers.
The cafe recently appeared on SBS’ variety show “My Little Old Boy,” in an episode aired Sunday, when singer Kim Bum-soo, a certified barista, visited with friends and introduced the venue as a destination for serious coffee enthusiasts.
Opened in 2017, Gongkhan 21 sources beans through prestigious international producers and specialty coffee auctions. Its selections have included coffees from Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Best of Panama and Esmeralda Special auctions, Panama’s Lamastus Family Estates auction, Ethiopia’s Gesha Village auction and the Qima Yemen auction.
The cafe roasts its beans using hot air rather than direct flame and pairs selected coffees with specific types of water, including Wasan water from Japan, to draw out the distinct tastes of each brew.
Its coffee omakase menus offer a tasting experience lasting two and a half hours, with packages ranging from 800,000 won to 3.5 million won.
The most expensive package, the GK 350 course, features six drinks made with premium Geisha coffee from Panama.
The GK 140 package, priced at 1.4 million won, comprises nine coffee selections from the Elida Estate, El Burro and Luito, farms associated with the Lamastus Family in Panama.
Another package, GK 80, costs 800,000 won and features nine servings, including coffees from Esmeralda and the Peterson Family in Panama.
In the “My Little Old Boy" episode, the cafe's owner, Son Gil-han, revealed celebrities and business owners had visited the establishment, including actor Ji Chang-wook.
"The menu curates a selection of rare and precious coffees, carefully collected and preserved since the start of my journey in the coffee business," Son also said about the GK 350 course with Kim on the singer's YouTube channel.
South Korea's coffee market has expanded beyond everyday consumption, with some consumers seeking out premium beans and curated tasting experiences. According to Euromonitor International, South Korea's annual per capita coffee consumption reached 416 cups in 2024.
Other businesses are also tapping into demand for premium coffee experiences.
Bacha Coffee's flagship store in Cheongdam, opened in 2024, offers a pot of Brazil's Paraiso Gold Coffee for 480,000 won.
Other establishments such as Alexandino in Gangnam, Seoul, offer coffee omakase priced up to 180,000 won depending on the beans selected.
