The popular “energy drink” of the 60’s and 70’s has returned to Seoul cafes. Although it’s called morning coffee it has little to do with the bean drink that we all know and love. Before modern coffee shops ruled Korea, people frequented places called dabang. Although the word dabang means “tea or coffee house”, they are different than Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Dabang are places that people could enjoy hot beverages while chatting with a hostess (most dabang now have older staff and many have closed). These coffee shops also provided a coffee delivery service by motorbike. A pretty girl would deliver the coffee to businesses or homes.
다방 – dabang – a traditional Korean tea or coffee house