Coffee culture has gone leaps and bounds in Seoul, and to such an extent that coffee brands from overseas noticed the increased potential and got in on the action. Founded in Melbourne five years ago, ACOFFEE is a boutique roastery offering its discerning following selected and seasonally sourced coffee beans. So, the Australian company has expanded to Seoul, opening a similarly understated café and shop in Jongno-gu, a leafy neighbourhood in the northern part of town. ACOFFEE occupies a 91 sqm. (980 sq.ft.) unit on the second floor of modern concrete building that’s tucked away on one of the area’s winding hill roads. The L-shaped premises, designed by local architecture practice Creative Studio Unravel, is uncluttered, furnished merely with an elongated service counter with a curved end on one side, stools, also ones placed at the front window, wall cabinets and decorative beams across the ceiling and on the wall. A doorway leads to the shop situated in the adjacent section, and here, the setting is even more sparsely furnished. Floor-to-ceiling glass reveals similar wall cabinets, paired with tiered shelving presenting ACOFFEE products. A terrace right in front provides additional seating with a view when weather permits.
