Affordable Korean instant coffee brands
South Korea has a strong cafe culture – you can get your caffeine fix almost anywhere you go. However, drinks from cafes can be expensive and buying one every day may put a strain on your finances.
Instead, consider turning to Korean instant coffee. These 8 Korean instant coffee brands are not just affordable, but also taste as good as a legit cuppa from a cafe. Some of these brands are even from popular cafe chains in Korea.
1. Maxim
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
Maxim is Korea’s most popular instant coffee brand and it can be found in most supermarkets in Korea.
The best-selling line from Maxim is Mocha Gold. Maxim’s Mocha Gold line comes in 3 different versions: Light, Mild and Simple Latte. Out of these 3, the mild version is the most popular one in Korea.
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
The taste of Mocha Gold Mild isn’t overpoweringly bitter, so it’s pleasant to drink.
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
Mocha Gold Light is similar to the Mild version, but its sugar content is reduced by 25%, which is 0.2g
The Light version is suitable for those who are trying to cut down on sugar.
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
Mocha Gold Simple Latte is creamier than the Mild and Light versions, and has no added sugar. If you love milk coffee, you should try this.
Mocha Gold Simple Latte is endorsed by IU. Check out the advertisement below.
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
Maxim White Gold is another type of instant coffee under the same brand, and it ranks 2nd in popularity after the Mocha Gold line.
Unlike Mocha Gold Simple Latte, this creamy instant coffee contains added sugar. This would be great for those who prefer sweeter coffee.
Image credit: Yuna Kim
Maxim White Gold is endorsed by South Korea’s iconic competitive figure skater Yuna Kim.
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
Maxim Original is more bitter than the Gold line, and is suitable for those who prefer stronger coffee.
The difference between the Original and the Gold line is the quality of the coffee beans used – the Gold line is made with higher quality coffee beans and is more expensive than the Original.
The prices of the instant coffee mixes under Maxim varies. Check out Gmarket to view the different types of coffees available, as well as their prices.
Some Korean marts outside of Korea sell Maxim instant coffee too, so do check them out if there is one near you.
Popular Korean YouTuber Maangchi has a video tutorial on how to make Korean-style iced coffee using Maxim Original coffee mix. You can try recreating it when you are craving for a refreshing drink.
Image credit: @maxim_coffee_mix
Maxim also has many home cafe videos on their Instagram page. Their instant coffee mix can be used in various desserts and fancy coffee drinks.
2. KANU Coffee
Image credit: @kanucoffee.official
KANU Coffee is an instant coffee brand owned by Maxim, and they specialise in cafe-style coffee so that consumers can have access to specialty coffee at home. KANU has its own Instagram page that’s separate from their parent brand.
Image credit: @kanucoffee.official
The brand is endorsed by Gong Yoo, who notably starred in Train To Busan and Goblin.
Image credit: MAXIM.KANU (맥심카누)
Besides the usual Latte and Americano, KANU also offers Tiramisu Latte, Vanilla Latte, Dolce Latte and Mint Choco Latte coffee mixes.
KANU’s Signature consists of 2 types of coffee blends: dark roast and medium roast.
Image credit: MAXIM.KANU (맥심카누)
The beautiful packaging makes it suitable for gifting.
Since this is a premium brand, it may be difficult to obtain them from Korean marts outside of Korea. You can buy them online on shopping platforms such as Gmarket.
3. Namyang French Cafe
Image credit: LOOKAS9 – 루카스나인
Namyang French Cafe prides itself on great-tasting coffee that’s good for health – the coffee contains non-fat milk and only a little bit of sugar.
A box of 100 sticks cost KRW14,400 (~USD13) on Namyang’s website.
Image credit: LOOKAS9 – 루카스나인
The brand is endorsed by Kim Tae-hee, who is best known for her lead role in the classic K-drama Stairway to Heaven.
Image credit: LOOKAS9 – 루카스나인
Aside from their original instant coffee, Namyang French Cafe also has a line of instant coffee line products called Lookas9.
Image credit: LOOKAS9 – 루카스나인
Lookas9 Americano, which is basically instant americano, comes in 4 different versions with varying sweetness, making it perfect for those who are looking for a specific level of sweetness for their coffee.
A box of 30 sticks costs KRW6,100 (~USD5.50) on their website.
Image credit: LOOKAS9 – 루카스나인
Those who like flavoured coffee can pick the Tiramisu Latte or Vanilla Latte. They also carry regular Latte.
A box of 10 sticks costs KRW5,800 (~USD5.25) on their website.
Image credit: LOOKAS9 – 루카스나인
Namyang French Cafe also has “Drip in stick” versions of their instant coffee mix – it functions like a tea bag and is convenient as you don’t even need a teaspoon to make your coffee.
Simply place the stick in a cup and add hot water, then stir with the stick.
4. Caffe Bene MANO
Image credit: 카페베네
Caffe Bene may be familiar to some because it’s a global coffee chain with branches in countries such as Taiwan and Malaysia.
Their instant coffee line is called MANO. MANO consists of MANO Africa Mild, MANO Latin America Mild, and MANO Columbia Mild. This is great for those who have a preference for coffee beans of a specific origin.
Kang Ha-neul, who acted in popular K-dramas such as Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, When the Camellia Blooms, and The Heirs, endorsed Caffe Bene in 2016.
Image credit: @caffebene_official
Caffe Bene also sells ready-made coffee in packets that can be consumed on the go.
If you are purchasing instant coffee directly from Caffe Bene’s website, do note that you can only buy them in a set of 2 boxes for KRW17,900 (~USD15.70).
Alternatively, you can purchase them on Gmarket, which offers global shipping.
5. JARDIN
Image credit: @jardin_official
Jardin is an instant coffee brand in South Korea that has gained a number of loyal customers since they opened in 1988.
Image credit: @jardin_official
Occasionally, Jardin takes part in events in Korea, such as the Seoul Cafe Show in 2019. Jardin also opens pop-up stores to allow customers to buy their products in person.
Image credit: @jardin_official
The Jardin instant coffee range comprises Espresso, Double Shot Vanilla Latte, Ice Blend, Caffe Latte, Double Shot Latte, Americano Black, and Hazelnut Espresso.
Prices range from KRW4,300 (~USD3.90) to KRW15,470 (~USD14) on their online store.
Image credit: 쟈뎅 – Jardin
Jardin has another instant coffee range called Cafe Mori, which is a specialty coffee line that enables customers to recreate cafe drinks at home.
This range consists of Couque d’Asse Cafe Latte, Hazelnut, Cafe Mocha, Caramel Macchiato, French Vanilla Latte, Hot Choco, Green Tea Latte, and Cafe Latte.
You can purchase them on Gmarket.
6. Ediya Coffee Beanist
Image credit: @ediya.coffee
Ediya Coffee is one of South Korea’s largest and most popular coffee chains.
Ediya Coffee has their own instant coffee line called Ediya Coffee Beanist. The word “Beanist” is derived from combining the words “beans” and “specialist”.
Image credit: @ediya.coffee
The Latte range consists of Caffe Latte, Toffee Nut Latte, Chocolate Chip Latte, and Vanilla Latte.
Toffee Nut Latte and Chocolate Chip Latte cost KRW4,900 (~USD4.45), and Vanilla Latte costs KRW4,300 (~USD3.90).
The standard Caffe Latte costs KRW3,900 (~USD3.50).
Image adapted from: Ediya Store
Ediya Coffee offers pretty gift sets too and you can grab one on their online store – it’s the perfect gift for an avid coffee drinker.
7. Hollys Coffee
Image credit: 할리스커피(Hollys Coffee)
Hollys Coffee is also one of South Korea’s most well-known coffee chains.
Their instant coffee line consists of Ice Cold Brew, Vanilla Delight, Real Belgian Chocolate Latte, Cafe Latte, Signature Americano, and Hazelnut Americano.
You can check out the prices for each flavour on Gmarket.
Image credit: @hollyscoffee.official
Following the instructions on the packaging, one packet of instant coffee should be mixed with 100ml of hot water.
For a larger cup of coffee, use 2 packets of instant coffee.
Image credit: @hollyscoffee.official
Their Ice Cold Brew is unique because instant coffee is usually made hot, but this is a cold instant coffee. It is a great option for those who are looking for something cold to drink on a hot day.
Image credit: @hollyscoffee.official
Keep a lookout for limited edition merchandise and gift sets – they are usually only available in stores. If you have a friend living in Korea, be sure to bribe them with lots of coffee so that they’ll help you buy these limited edition merch and ship them to you.
8. Twosome a-List Stick Coffee
Image credit: 투썸플레이스
A Twosome Place is a popular coffee chain in South Korea, and the cafe was featured in many K-dramas, including Master’s Sun, which starred So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin.
So Ji Sub owns one of their branches, A Twosome Place by 51k, located in Gangnam.
Like Ediya and Hollys Coffee, A Twosome Place also has their own instant coffee line. It’s called Twosome a-List Stick Coffee.
Image credit: 투썸플레이스
The Twosome a-List Stick Coffee line consists of Black Ground, Dark Blend, Mild Blend,Decaf, Vanilla Latte and Chocolate Latte.
This instant coffee line may not have as much variety compared to Ediya and Hollys, but it’s still worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of A Twosome Place.
Like the rest of the brands above, cost depends on the quantity of sticks in each box.
Image credit: 투썸플레이스
The Twosome a-List coffee line also carries drip coffee – just open a packet and pour hot water in; there is no need for fancy filtering equipment.
Ordering directly from their website requires you to create an account with a 7-8 digit Korean phone number. If you don’t have a Korean phone number or live outside of South Korea, you can check out shopping sites such as Gmarket instead.
Korean instant coffee brands to try
We love anything that’s cheap and good, and these 8 Korean instant coffee brands tick both boxes. For those who wish to cut down on expenses, consider buying instant coffee instead of a latte from a cafe.
Korean instant coffee make great souvenirs and gifts because most of the brands are unique to the country. If you have friends and family who love coffee and all things Korean, Korean instant coffee make a great gift for them.
Also check out:
- 10 themed cafes in Seoul
- 10 Korean cafes to visit in autumn
- 9 hidden cafes in Seoul
- 8 stairway to heaven cafes
- 10 Korean home cafe drinks
Cover image adapted from (clockwise from left): Yuna Kim, @kanucoffee.official and @jardin_official