Six Korean American coffee shops have been recognized on a recent list of Los Angeles’s top cafés by restaurant publication Eater LA, spotlighting the growing influence of Korean-style coffee culture in the city.
The six selected cafés are Document Coffee Bar, Community Goods, Be Bright Coffee, Stagger Coffee, Stereoscope, and Loquat Coffee. Each café showcases distinct styles, menus, and atmospheres, reinforcing the strong presence of Korean American businesses in LA’s coffee scene.
Document Coffee Bar, a long-standing fixture in Koreatown, is known for its minimalist interior and global coffee selections. In addition to classic coffee, the shop offers drinks like horchata and mushroom lattes, and hosts photography exhibitions in its dedicated art space.
Community Goods has gained a devoted following for its Einspänner latte — a rich blend of sweet cream, cocoa powder, double espresso, and sea salt. According to Eater LA, long lines of customers are a regular sight.
Be Bright Coffee was opened in 2022 by husband-and-wife baristas Michelle and Frank Ra. Their in-house roasted beans are supplied to other cafés as well, reflecting the shop’s quality. Frank Ra also won the 2024 United States Barista Championship.
Stagger Coffee draws attention with its Korean-inspired menu. Its popular drinks include orange mocha and Spanish latte, while pastries like fresh blueberry cream cheese muffins and croissants are also customer favorites.
Stereoscope operates locations in Hollywood, Long Beach, and Buena Park. The shop is praised for its espresso-based drinks and inventive matcha offerings.
Loquat Coffee, located in Cypress Park, handles everything from roasting to extraction on site, focusing on deep and nuanced flavors. Eater LA singled out its fermented Geisha espresso blend, one of four blends reflecting Korean coffee culture, as especially memorable.
Other cafés featured on the list include Dinosaur Coffee, Alana’s Coffee Roasters, and Hooked Venice, each known for unique concepts and flavor profiles.
BY WONHEE CHO [cho.wonhee@koreadaily.com]
