Saturday, July 4, 2009

홍 대 의 커피


Cappuccino
1,900 원 (포 장); 4,500 원 (dine in)
Coffee Brown (홍 대, 서 울, 한 국)

Coffee, it seems, is a national drink of Korea; and the schemes to price it have blown me away.  While walking in Hong Dae today, I noticed a multitude of coffee shops, most of which can be found on second floors; and when I went inside one to check out the menu, I winced at the exorbitant charges for a cup of Joe; prices that are outrageous in Hong Kong, even.  Then I went back out and found a Coffee Brown kiosk, where cappuccino could be bought at a reasonable 1,900 won; and thinking that I could find a seat on the second floor, where they have a cafe, I marched up the stairs, only to find out that dining in - ordering a cappuccino ten feet from the ground - more than doubles the price of the product - whoah! (O_O)  I descended from the cafe area and bought my coffee on the ground.  It appears that at least in Hong Dae, sitting inside commands a ridiculous premium; and if you are willing to consume outside, in an environment that doesn't guarantee a comfortable seat, you can save quite a lot of change!

3 comments:

  1. CON YOU CONVERT TO HKD?? i can't be bothered to look up.

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  2. Its nothing unusual - in France (and possibily in continental European countries where a coffee culture exists) there are also multiple pricing systems depending on where you choose to sit and sip the brew, and the differences can be quite significant as well.

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  3. Yeah, I guess I'm not used to this as coffee providers don't discriminate in this manner in the US and in Hong Kong.

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