☕ Korea’s Beloved Instant Coffee: What’s Up with Mix Coffee?
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What Is “Mix Coffee”?
If you visit a Korean office, convenience store, or even someone’s home, you’re bound to come across a tiny stick of instant coffee — called 믹스커피 (mix coffee).
But this isn’t your average instant coffee.
Mix coffee = instant coffee + sugar + powdered creamer all packed into one tiny, convenient packet.
All you have to do is:
1. Pour the contents into a cup
2. Add hot water
3. Stir and enjoy!
It’s creamy, sweet, and instantly satisfying — a perfect pick-me-up.
🏢 More Than a Drink — It’s a Cultural Icon
In Korea, mix coffee is more than just coffee. It’s a ritual, a shared moment, and sometimes… even a form of hospitality.
At the office: It’s common to offer guests a cup of mix coffee. Many workplaces have a kettle and a whole basket of mix coffee sticks for free use.
On a mountain hike: You’ll often see older hikers pull out a small thermos and mix coffee to enjoy at the summit.
In Korean dramas: Characters are always drinking it in the break room or on late nights at work.
It’s nostalgic, comforting, and beloved by many — especially those who grew up in Korea in the '80s and '90s.
🛒 Where Can You Get It?
Anywhere, really!
Convenience stores: You can buy one or two sticks for less than 500 won.
Big packs: Available at supermarkets or online.
Free at motels, banks, or real estate offices. Yes, seriously!
💬 Try Saying This!
If you want to sound like a local, try this phrase:
"믹스커피 좋아하세요?"
mik-seu-keo-pi jo-a-ha-se-yo?
→ “Do you like mix coffee?”
Great to say at the office when someone offers you a drink!
☕ Final Sip
Mix coffee might seem humble, but it’s a small but strong part of Korean daily life.
It’s fast, sweet, and brings people together — sometimes more than a fancy latte ever could.
So next time you visit Korea (or a Korean friend), don’t underestimate that little coffee stick. It just might make your day!