Champ Coffee Itaewon

Champ Coffee has been part of Seoul's specialty coffee scene since 2009, one of the earlier roasters in the city and now grown to five plus locations, with this second workroom tucked into the market backstreets of Itaewon near Usadan-gil. The room is small, closer to a stand up bar than a sit down cafe, and functions as a neighborhood anchor for the mix of locals and expats who pass through daily.

The house specialty layers a thick, sweet cookie over a flat white, a pairing regulars come back for alongside a straightforward, espresso forward menu built on multiple rotating blends. Bagged beans and drip bags are sold at the counter, there is a small outdoor table area, and dogs are welcome, though there is no on site parking near the shop.