Bean choice for 500 won extra at a Nowon department store café: Jeong

You know that moment shopping at Lotte Department Store Nowon when you suddenly want a cup of coffee? When I hit the department store I like knocking out a meal and coffee in one trip, and while wandering the food court a café caught my eye. People were lined up, so I looked closer — it was called Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters.

Their signature menu item is the coconut coffee, so naturally I had to try it. One sip in and I got why it's the go-to order — sweet and smooth. If you like your coffee on the sweet, soft side, it's worth a taste next time you stop by Lotte Department Store Nowon.

Location and how to use Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters, Lotte Department Store Nowon

Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters, Lotte Department Store Nowon sits in the basement 1 food court at 1414 Dongil-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Being inside the food court made it easy to stop for coffee mid-shop — no need to leave the building to track down a café.

The shop itself is takeaway only, no seats. So it's less for people wanting to linger over coffee and more for those who want a nice cup to carry along while shopping.

If you drive, you can use the department store's basement parking, but remember to register your parking when you use the shop.

Hours and the vibe of the place

Hours run Monday to Thursday from 10:30am to 8pm, and Friday to Sunday until 8:30pm. It closes on the same days as the department store, so it's worth checking the store's schedule before heading over.

It's a different feel from a typical café with seating, but that simplicity actually works well if takeaway is the goal. As someone who likes grabbing a good coffee mid-shop, it wasn't inconvenient at all — and the staff were friendly, which made ordering easy.

These days even a coffee shop's menu can be overwhelming with choices, so I liked that Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters lets you pick your bean to suit your taste.

Bean choice: dark by default, medium or decaf for 500 won extra

The default bean is dark, but you can switch to medium or decaf. Both the medium bean and decaf add ₩500 each. If you love coffee but find the strong stuff a lot, medium might suit you better. If you love that bold, dark coffee flavor, the default dark bean works fine too.

I ordered both the coconut coffee and the Americano that day to compare, and the two drinks had quite different personalities. It really comes down to whether you're craving something sweet or something strong.

Signature coconut coffee, ₩7,000 — how did it taste?

The drink I was most looking forward to was the coconut coffee at ₩7,000. It combines coconut milk with espresso cream. I expected the coconut to overpower the coffee, but the balance was actually better than I thought.

The sweet, smooth coconut milk paired with the espresso cream toned down that typical coffee bitterness. It would suit people who lean toward sweet coffee over bitter any day.

The sweetness hits first, with coffee flavor following behind, so it works almost like a dessert. Not overly sweet, but exactly the thing you'd crave when you need a sugar boost. One sip and I understood immediately why the coconut coffee is the beloved signature here. If you're after something a bit different from the usual coffee options in Nowon, this one is worth ordering.

Americano, ₩5,500 — bold by default

The Americano I ordered alongside had a whole different appeal from the coconut coffee. It's ₩5,500 and the coffee flavor is quite bold. If you usually go for a lighter, smoother Americano, the default strength here might feel a bit much — in that case, it's fine to ask for it lighter.

On the flip side, if you like your coffee strong and heavy, you'll really get to enjoy the bean's full character here. Think of the coconut coffee as the sweet and smooth option, and the Americano as the one for pure coffee flavor.

How to choose your coffee at Lotte Department Store Nowon

Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters, Lotte Department Store Nowon isn't just about a single cup of coffee. They also sell cold brew, drip bags, and whole beans, so it's worth a browse if you like making coffee at home too.

If you're the type who tries the signature item first at a new café, I'd recommend the coconut coffee. It's sweet and smooth, so even people who normally find Americano too bitter can enjoy it comfortably. If you prefer strong coffee, go for the Americano and pick your bean to taste.

It's a popular shop though, so expect a wait on weekends or at peak times — weekday mornings are the way to go if you want it more relaxed. Also worth knowing ahead of time: it's takeaway only, no seating.

Next time you're shopping at Lotte Department Store Nowon and craving something special, or searching for a good coffee spot near Nowon Station with a sweet signature drink, keep Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters in mind. The coconut coffee I had this time was definitely the most memorable part. It's the drink for days you want something different from a plain Americano, or when you just need a sweet pick-me-up.