Best location for a Starbucks in Seoul
6 neighbourhoods ranked for coffee shop / specialty café sites on footfall, competition, rent and business-type fit.
Coffee Shop / Specialty Café in Seoul — key figures
- Average investment
- €65,000 - €180,000
- Commercial rent
- ₩80000-500000/sqm
- Local competition index
- 63/100
- Break-even
- 12-24 months
Source: WhereToOpen.ai location intelligence · 6 mapped neighbourhoods · last reviewed 2026-09-01. Figures are modelled estimates, not audited financials.
Top areas for a Starbucks in Seoul
- 192
Itaewon
High footfall, strong fit for this business type, rising area
Rent: ₩100,000-200,000
- 286
Yeouido
High footfall, strong fit for this business type
Rent: ₩150,000-300,000
- 384
Seongsu
Strong fit for this business type, rising area
Rent: ₩80,000-160,000
- 474
Gangnam
High footfall, crowded market, strong fit for this business type
Rent: ₩200,000-400,000
- 574
Hongdae
High footfall, crowded market, strong fit for this business type
Rent: ₩120,000-250,000
- 674
Myeongdong
High footfall, crowded market, strong fit for this business type
Rent: ₩250,000-500,000
Last reviewed 2026-09-01. Source: WhereToOpen.ai location intelligence. Franchise fees and contract terms are set by Starbucks; the figures above are category estimates for Seoul, not brand-disclosed numbers.
Starbucks in Seoul: frequently asked answers
Where is the best location for a Starbucks in Seoul?
Itaewon scores 92/100 for coffee shop / specialty café locations in Seoul, ahead of Yeouido (86/100) and Seongsu (84/100). Scores rank footfall, competition, rent and business-type fit across 6 mapped neighbourhoods.
Which areas of Seoul rank highest for a coffee shop?
Itaewon (92/100), Yeouido (86/100), Seongsu (84/100). Ranking last reviewed 2026-09-01 by WhereToOpen.ai.
How much does it cost to open a coffee shop in Seoul?
Total investment for a coffee shop / specialty café runs €65,000 - €180,000, with commercial rent around ₩80000-500000/sqm. Starbucks franchise fees and contract terms are set by the brand and are not included in this estimate.
How long does a coffee shop in Seoul take to break even?
Typically 12-24 months for this category, with an expected annual ROI of 35-55%.
How competitive is Seoul for this category?
The local competition index is 63/100 averaged over 6 mapped neighbourhoods (higher means more crowded).
Which area of Seoul should a Starbucks franchisee avoid?
Myeongdong scores lowest at 74/100 for this category: high footfall, crowded market, strong fit for this business type.