I wouldn’t call myself a coffee fanatic. Or a pro. Or anything at all. I don’t even go on ‘usual runs’ to Starbucks or have a favorite cafe. that I go to regularly.
Actually I DO have a favorite cafe in Mokdong, but it’s half an hour away, and I only buy frozen yogurt smoothies.
Anyway, I was craving something warm and filling, so I stopped by this place in front of my institute: Coffee Ssong (커피 쑝)
I asked for a Cafe Macchiatto, expecting something similar to a slightly foamy, milk + coffee mixture (they all seemed the same to me anyway), but the barista politely asked me if i wanted the one in the espresso cup.
A macchiato is actually a shot of espresso, topped with milk foam. THAT much I knew… I’ve just never been to a cafe where they actually serve it in the espresso size. (Except when I was in Hungary, but in Europe, espresso is as common as drip coffee in America.) I asked for a takeout, but she told me that they don’t have an espresso-size take out cup, so I changed my order to a latte.
with less milk then? she asked me.uh, yeah. less milk is fine.
I didn’t even pay attention as she pressed the ground coffee or steamed the milk. But she made my latte-with-less-milk drink, and told me to let her know if it’s too strong for me.
It was too strong.
So she kindly added a bit more milk. I guess i’m not that used to dark coffees.
Our coffees are a bit strong, she told me.
I tried the latte again (with more milk now) and it was much smoother, and to my liking.
Now, I normally add a bunch of sugar and syrup and cinnamon and what other junk. In fact, my coffee ends up tasting like sweet coffee-flavored milk, not actual coffee. I grabbed one packet of sugar and poured it into my cup.
It’s not going to be enough, I thought
I stirred it anyway, and walked out, because this place was obviously legit, and I didn’t want to look like too much of a noob.
One sip as I walked out of the cafe and I was shocked.
So smooth!
I couldn’t believe my tongue! No bitter aftertaste (they may have added some salt), completely smooth, and just sweet enough, but not frappuccino-sweet. You could definitely taste the strong coffee, but the sugar didn’t overpower it like my ‘usual’ coffee…
And so much more affordable than Starbucks! $3.50 vs. $5.90???? No thank you! I’ll take my Coffee Ssong!
They have lessons. Espresso making and Drip Coffee. I’m definitely going to ask about it tomorrow during my short break between classes.
I love Coffee Ssong!
