Dairy Free Lattes in Seoul / Hip New Cafes In Seoul

 

I have developed an increasingly bad allergy to milk. Whenever I drink milk or eat something with dairy in it, I almost instantly get inflammation in my throat and start coughing… (Which is not exactly what you want to happen whilst on a coffee date ) So, I wish I could say I have completely cut dairy out of my life, however, I have drastically cut back on my dairy consumption. I no longer buy milk for my home fridge and I try as often as possible to order non dairy latte options when visiting a cafe. (My usual order being an espresso, a black americano or a latte)

There are two things that you will never have to search for in Seoul, rice and soy. However, trying to find dairy free milk options is somewhat more diffcult to naviagte. Rice is a staple in the Korean diet but rice milk has not quite caught on yet. Soy milk however is everywhere!!! Soy milk in Korean is called  ‘duyu’ (두유).

I have never been a huge fan of Soy milk (for my own reasons.) So I tend to steer away from soya milk… Now, what options does that leave me with in Korea?

  1. Lactose free milk (still milk- but suitable for those allergic to lactose)
  2. Dairy free Milk (Almond, Hemp, Oat)
  3. Ghee (clarified butter) for bulletproof MCT type coffee
  4. Make your own at home
  • Oat Milk (specifically Oatly)

Sold on Gmarket (Click link)

Sold on Scandic Plaza (Click link)

  • Almond Milk

Sold on Gmarket

I order almond milk online via Gmarket. (You can set up an account and shop in English) Vanilla milk that I buy

Most big grocery stores (Homeplus, Lotte etc) stock the Almond Breeze brand

Sold on Coupang (Click link)

  • Hemp milk

Sold on Coupang (Click link)

 

  • Rice Milk

Sold on Coupang (Click link)

 

I’m sure that here are many cafes in Seoul that offer some non dairy based lattes. Here are my favourite ones so far..

 

Cafe Oriente

 

This earthy cafe somehow manages to possess an understated ambiance yet wow you with its simply Japaneses interior. Situated in one of Seoul’s hippest neighborhoods, Hannamdong.

16-9, Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
070-8098-5232

What to order?

Pistachio milk latte. (and a Japanese style handmade chocolate or red bean cube dessert.)


 

Pyeongsangshi 

平常時

I recently featured this vegan cafe and bakery on my blog. Click HERE to see the post.

They make their own milk and syrups. The cashew milk actually foams really well and gives the latte a great texture. There are various different lattes on offer, my personal favourite being the rose latte. Another one worth trying is the lavender latte. You wont get that artificial taste that you usually find in the big chain stores flavuored lattes. The great thing about cashew nut milk is its subtle flavours. It does not overpower the flavours of the coffee.

Where? 

458-67 Amsa-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Coffee & Vegan Sweets Mon-Fri 10:00 – 20:00 Sat, Sun 10:00 – 21:00

What to order?

 Cashew milk rose latte. (Be sure to enjoy one of the delicious vegan cupcakes or cookies

Cashew milk rose latte

Lavender latte

 

Choco Mint Cupcakes (topped with coconut cream frosting)

Peer Coffee Roasters

The menu includes all the usual coffee drinks you would expect to find at a good cafe, but also includes soy latte, almond latte and beautifully bottled cold brew coffee. The cafe interior space is tranquil and a great place to take a break away from the buzzing streets of Itaewon and Hannam-dong. Hannam-dong is fast becoming my favourite neighbourhood as it has the variety of Itaewon, but feels less chaotic and more chic

I have previously blogged about them HERE, and keep going back for more.

Where?

58-3 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

What to order?

Almond Latte

 

Coffee Montage

Ive blogged about this coffee roastery and cafe before…The coffee is THAT good they are worth mentioning more than once. The first time I visited was during the cold Christmas season… I thoroughly enjoyed the ginger nut latte and a slice of stollen… This time, I decided to be a little more ‘allergy consious’ and ordered an Oat milk latte (Oatly Latte) When I collected my latte form the counter I was convinced they had my order wrong. The milk texture looked like regular milk. The nutty flavours’ hit my pallet on the first sip and I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of oat milk and the ‘Sense And Sensibilty’ bright and sweet roast. Id highly recommend visiting this cafe and then visiting Olympic Park, one stop away, at Mongchontoseong on line 8.

Where? 

Seongnae-dong 555-5 Gangdong-gu, Seoul.

Station: Gangdong-gu Office Station (Line 8, Exit 3).

Directions: Walk straight and take the first left. Take your third left and walk until you see Coffee Montage on your right.

What to order?

The Oatly Latte

 

Enjoying an Oatly Latte

 

Oatly Latte From Coffee Montage

Courtesy of Coffee Montage

I hope this helps those that are ‘no moo’.

Let me know if you have found any non dairy based brands and cafes in South Korea. I’m also very interested to hear how non dairy free your city is (wherever in the world you may be)

 

Hugs, Cayly