Coffee in South Korea on a Budget: Where to Get Great Coffee Without Overspending

If you’re traveling or living in Korea and love coffee, you’ll quickly notice how easy it is to find cafés on almost every corner — but not all of them are kind to your wallet. Luckily, you don’t have to spend ₩6,000+ for a latte to enjoy a good brew. 

In this guide, we’ve ranked five of the best cheap coffee franchises in Korea that deliver real flavor without the fancy prices.

From Mega Coffee’s giant cups to Paik’s signature blends, here’s your guide to the best coffee in South Korea on a budget.

1. Mega MGC Coffee — Best Overall Value

Mega Coffee is the undisputed king of Korea’s budget café scene. It’s famous for huge cup sizes, creative drinks, and affordable prices that still manage to taste great. Their quirky menu includes drinks like 할메가커피 and 누룽지 프라페, and they’re everywhere — from Seoul to Busan.

Price Range

• Americano (Hot): ₩1,700
• Americano (Iced): ₩2,000
• Café Latte: ₩3,400

Why It Stands Out

• Massive portions for the price — their “Mega Size” really means it.
• Fun signature drinks that are uniquely Korean.
• Consistently ranked #1 in “best value” coffee surveys.

What People Are Saying

• Good: “You get so much coffee for so little money!”
• Bad: “Some drinks are way too sweet — skip the syrup-heavy ones if you prefer black coffee.”

What You Should Try

• 할메가커피 (Hal-Mega Coffee) — sweet, nutty, and super Korean.
• Classic Iced Americano — perfect balance for the price.
• 퐁크러쉬 (Pong Crush) — if you like dessert-style coffee drinks.

2. Compose Coffee — Smooth & Reliable Everyday Pick

Compose Coffee is the quiet achiever of Korea’s coffee chains. With smooth flavor, cheap prices, and big cups, it’s the go-to for commuters and students. They’re also known for their latte-based drinks, which are creamier and milder than others.

Price Range

• Americano (Iced): ₩1,800
• Café Latte: ₩2,900

Why It Stands Out

• One of the cheapest Americanos in Korea.
• Creamy, well-balanced lattes that aren’t too strong.
• Regular seasonal releases like their Fresh Chocolate Latte.

What People Are Saying

• Good: “Cheap, smooth, and consistent — perfect for a daily coffee.”
• Bad: “Some locations charge slightly more, especially in tourist areas.”

What You Should Try

• Iced Americano — unbeatable for the price.
• Café Latte — smooth and easy to drink.
• Fresh Chocolate Latte — great seasonal option if you like something sweet.

3. Paik’s Coffee — Fun, Classic, and Iconically Korean

Now, this brand is my personal favorite (although I ranked it 3rd because most people would rank Mega and Compose ahead of Paik's Coffee). Here is my video review of Paik's Coffee

Founded by celebrity chef Baek Jong-won, Paik’s Coffee (빽다방) blends affordability with nostalgia. It’s famous for creative drinks like 빽스치노 and “원조커피,”(The Original Coffee) plus some locations include Paik’s Bakery (빵연구소) for a full café experience.

The word '다방' literally means 'Tea Room', and before Starbucks and all other coffee shops flooded the market in Korea (more like in the 1980s), '다방' was the coffee shop people would meet up at to talk business and hang out.

Here is what a typical '다방' used to look like...

Anyways...let's get back to the review of Paik’s Coffee (빽다방)!

Price Range

• Americano (Iced): ₩2,000
• Café Latte: ₩3,200
• 원조커피(The Original Coffee): ₩2,500

Why It Stands Out

• Huge menu variety — from classic coffee to dessert drinks.
• Some stores feature fresh pastries and sandwiches.
• Fun, retro branding that feels authentically Korean.

What People Are Saying

• Good: “Tons of options — everything from bubble coffee to milk tea!”
• Bad: “Can get crowded during promotions — expect a wait.”

What You Should Try

• 빽스치노 (Paik’sccino) — creamy, blended, and super popular.
• Café Latte — smooth and rich.
• Original Coffee + Bread Combo if you find a bakery branch.

4. The Venti — Customizable & Big-Size Friendly

The Venti lets you customize everything — from cup size to sweetness level. You are probably more familiar with the word 'Venti' when you needed to overdose on caffeine. You can order Half Venti (420ml) or Full Venti (960ml) drinks, perfect if you like to tweak your order.

Price Range

• Americano (Iced): ₩2,000
• Café Latte: ₩3,000

Why It Stands Out

• Multiple cup sizes — you actually get what you pay for.
• Choice of roast level & sugar level at select locations.
• Unique collabs and seasonal flavors, like watermelon or cookies & cream.

What People Are Saying

• Good: “Love that I can choose sweetness and cup size.”
• Bad: “Some stores are small with limited seating.”

What You Should Try

• Iced Café Latte — rich but smooth.
• Vanilla or Hazelnut Latte — subtle sweetness without being heavy.
• Cold Brew — surprisingly high quality for a low price.

5. Mammoth Coffee — Hidden Gem for the Cheapest Cup

Mammoth Coffee may not be as common as the others, but fans swear by its super cheap Americanos and unique dessert-style coffees like Vietnamese condensed milk coffee and Einspänner (whipped cream-topped coffee).

Price Range

• Americano: ₩1,600
• Café Latte: ₩2,900

Why It Stands Out

• Often the cheapest cup of coffee in Korea.
• Offers creative drinks like Vietnamese coffee and Einspänner.
• Custom milk options (oat, soy, etc.) are available at some stores.

What People Are Saying

• Good: “Insanely cheap for what you get.”
• Bad: “Not many branches, and quality varies.”

What You Should Try

• Iced Americano (₩1,600) — the cheapest caffeine fix around.
• Vietnamese Condensed Milk Coffee — strong and sweet.
• Einspänner — great for dessert lovers.

When it comes to coffee in South Korea on a budget, you really can’t go wrong with any of these chains. Mega Coffee gives you the best all-around value, Compose nails the everyday latte, and Paik’s keeps things fun and Korean. If you want size and customization, the Venti is your friend. For hidden-gem pricing, Mammoth Coffee takes the crown.

Next time you’re in Korea craving caffeine without breaking the bank, skip the fancy cafés and try one of these spots — your wallet (and taste buds) will thank you.