By Real Korean Foodie
Hello everyone! I'm Real Korean Foodie, a Korean blogger who loves coffee and tea.
Today, I’m excited to introduce a truly special café that I highly recommend to anyone visiting Korea — especially coffee enthusiasts! Tucked away in Huam-dong, near Seoul Station, El Café Coffee Roasters isn’t just a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s a space where you can experience the true passion and craftsmanship behind every brew.
I recently posted a feature on El Café on my blog, and this time, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Mr. Yang Jin-ho, the founder and head roaster of El Café. Mr. Yang is one of Korea’s leading coffee experts and serves as an international judge for the prestigious Cup of Excellence (COE) competitions.
Interview with Mr. Yang Jin-ho of El Café Coffee Roasters
Q. Hello, Mr. Yang. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. Could you start by briefly introducing El Café Coffee Roasters?
I started El Café Coffee Roasters in 2010. Before that, I enjoyed coffee as a hobby, operating a small lab for personal roasting experiments. After moving from Seongsu-dong to Hapjeong, then Seonyudo, we finally settled in Huam-dong. We also operate a separate roasting factory in Paju, while the Huam-dong café serves as a showroom for coffee lovers.
Q. Wow, you’ve opened cafés in all the trendy areas!
It seems that way, but honestly, when I first opened in those areas, they weren't trendy yet. (laughs) Funny enough, every time I moved out, the neighborhood would become popular afterward.
Q. How did you first become interested in coffee?
I originally didn’t drink coffee at all; I preferred traditional Korean tea. But one day, I had a cup of coffee that was fruity and sweet — not bitter at all. It changed my entire perspective. I began touring famous cafés across Korea, and later, realized that the first amazing cup was a lucky accident. After further study, I discovered the importance of roasting techniques and, even more importantly, green bean quality. That’s when my journey into home roasting — and eventually opening a café — truly began.
Q. Sounds like you’re someone who really goes all-in once you're passionate about something.
That's absolutely right. (laughs) Once I realized the importance of green beans, I knew home roasting wasn’t enough. To secure the best beans, I had to participate in auctions — and that pushed me to start a real café.
Q. Why did you choose the name "El Café"?
There's no deep meaning. (laughs) Since Spanish is widely spoken in coffee-producing countries, I decided to use "El," the Spanish definite article, along with "Café."
Q. What about the café's signature color?
We chose orange to represent the bright, fruity flavors we love. Most cafés go with brown tones, but we wanted something fresh and different.
Q. Why did you choose Huam-dong for your café?
I prefer neighborhoods that are pleasant to walk around in. Since most of our customers seek us out intentionally, not by chance, we have more freedom in choosing less commercial areas. The focus is always on building a space where coffee lovers can interact naturally with baristas.
Q. With so many cafés in Huam-dong, what sets El Café apart?
Definitely the quality of our green beans. We only use beans with fully traceable histories — from farm to process to varietal. This transparency allows customers to truly taste the difference.
Q. You once described your style as "engineering student style," emphasizing data and precision. How does that work in practice?
It’s probably tougher on my staff than on me! (laughs) By using data, we minimize subjective communication about flavor and maintain consistency. It’s an efficient and clear way to discuss coffee quality.
Q. Which coffee would you recommend most from El Café?
It’s hard to choose just one. (laughs) Since we work directly with farms, our offerings change with the seasons. I encourage visitors to enjoy the variety — every visit will offer a new experience.
Q. Any tips for enjoying espresso properly?
Add sugar! (laughs) Italian-style espresso is traditionally sweet. Adding sugar brings out fruity notes and smooths bitterness. We even offer a menu item called "Con Zucchero," where the sugar balance is carefully adjusted.
Q. Many people are getting into home brewing these days. Any advice for making great coffee at home?
Stick to a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:15. For equipment, invest in a good grinder and a precise scale. Also, try our capsule and instant coffee products for a convenient specialty coffee experience at home.
Q. Lastly, any words for those visiting El Café?
Please feel free to ask our baristas any questions! We want everyone to enjoy their coffee even more. If you're unsure which coffee to buy from our online store, leave us a message — we’re happy to help find the right match for you.
Final Thoughts
Meeting Mr. Yang Jin-ho and hearing his story firsthand showed me how much passion and dedication goes into every cup at El Café Coffee Roasters. If you’re visiting Seoul and want a real specialty coffee experience beyond the usual tourist spots, make sure to stop by El Café in Huam-dong!
