Taste test: Watermelon juice from 4 popular chains!
mogutabi
6 hours ago
When you pop into a cafe in Korea in early summer, one thing you can’t help but check iswatermelon juice.
You don’t see it that often in Japan, but in Korea it’s a classic seasonal drink that shows up at all kinds of cafe chains once summer hits. Whenever I spot it on a hot day, I just want to order one.
This time, I actually did a watermelon juice taste test at four cafes known as top-selling chains in Korea:
“EDIYA COFFEE (Ediya Coffee)” “MEGA MGC COFFEE (Mega Coffee)”
“Starbucks Korea (Starbucks Korea)” “A Twosome Place (Twosome Place)”
and compared them side by side.
Even though they’re all “watermelon juice,” the iciness, sweetness, how fruity they taste, and whether they come with toppings all differ, it ended up being even more fun than I expected.
■ EDIYA COFFEE (Ediya Coffee)
A popular cafe chain with lots of locations across Korea.
It’s relatively affordable and easy to drop into, even while you’re out exploring the city.
The first one I tried was the watermelon juice at EDIYA COFFEE.
My first impression after a sip was,the icy, crunchy texture is really strong.
It feels like frozen watermelon shaved as-is, and on a hot day it’s the kind of drink that cools you down instantly.
I chose the less-sweet option, and it was honestly just right.
It doesn’t taste overly syrupy, and I liked thatyou can really taste the watermelon itself.
After comparing all four, this one felt the most “super icy and slushy” of the bunch.
Perfect for when you want something refreshing on a scorching midsummer day.
■ MEGA MGC COFFEE (Mega Coffee)
Next up was the well-known big cafe chain in Korea, “MEGA MGC COFFEE.”
As the name suggests, the drinks come in larger sizes, and it’s also popular for its great value.
The watermelon juice, of course, also comes in ahuge cup!
This time I got the 4,000 won (about 410 yen) watermelon juice,
and added awatermelon sherbettopping for 700 won.
Taking a sip, it feltsmoother and lighter than EDIYA’s.
Rather than that crunchy slush texture, it gave more of astraight-up juice vibe.
It was definitely sweet, I couldn’t tell if it was the type of watermelon or added syrup, but it tasted quite sugary.
Still, getting this much for 4,700 won is something to appreciate.
It seems great for gulping down on a hot day when you’re really thirsty.
Thewatermelon sherbet topping was also delicious, and personally I liked that it had a slightly “green” watermelon aroma. They also give you a spoon, so you can sip the drink and enjoy the sherbet at the same time, which is a nice touch.
Even as it melts, it doesn’t water down the flavor much, sofor 700 won, it’s worth adding.
■ Starbucks Korea (Starbucks Korea)
For the third stop, I went to Starbucks Korea. They have lots of Korea-only items and seasonal drinks,
so it’s a cafe chain you can’t help but check while traveling.
Visually, this one also lookspretty slushy and icy.
You can definitely taste watermelon, but after trying it,the sweetness was quite strong.
Personally, it felt a bit syrupy.
Rather than tasting watermelon in a clean, refreshing way, it might be better thought of as a very Starbucks-styledessert-like twist drink.
One thing that surprised me a bit was theblack little bits inside.
For a second I thought, “Wait, are those seeds?” but they’re actuallychocolate chips.
If you don’t know beforehand it’s surprising, but it’s totally fine to drink (lol).
It’s a playful topping meant to resemble watermelon seeds, and it made the drink fun to look at, too.
■ A Twosome Place (Twosome Place)
Last was “A Twosome Place,” also popular for its cakes and dessert menu.
Many locations have a calm 분위기, and it’s a familiar chain for cafe-hopping in Korea.
Out of everything I compared this time, this was my favorite.
Texture-wise, it’s less “crunchy slush” and moresmoothie-like.
But when you drink it, the balance between icy texture and juiciness is really good,
not too heavy, not too watery, just really easy to drink.
EDIYA has a stronger icy crunch,
but Twosome Place felt more cohesive overall.
What made it even better was that it came topped withbig, chunky pieces of watermelon.
There were about two or three pieces of fruit, andmashing them at the end and eating them was also a fun option!
It felt satisfying, and personally, I thought it had the best overall balance in this taste test.
■ Bonus: TOM N TOMS COFFEE
It wasn’t included in the main four this time, but
I also tried the watermelon juice at TOM N TOMS COFFEE.
This one had a relatively strong syrupy feel. Rather than a natural “real watermelon” taste, it felt more like a sweet fruit drink you enjoy as a treat.
■ Results of the taste test
Looking at price alone, the cheapest was Mega Coffee at 4,000 won. Even with the sherbet added, it was 4,700 won, easily the best value.
Next, Ediya Coffee was 5,500 won for an L size. Considering you get that icy slush texture and refreshing, watermelon-like flavor, it’s also very satisfying.
On the other hand, the most expensive was Starbucks at 7,100 won.
Among the ones I tried, personally I felt that Twosome Place at 6,500 won had the best balance of flavor, real fruit pieces, and overall satisfaction, it was the one that made me think, “I want this again.”
Trying them side by side again, it was interesting how all four are “watermelon juice,” yet each one had a distinct personality.
If you want that icy, crunchy slush texture, go forEDIYA COFFEE.
If you want a big size andvalue for money, go forMEGA MGC COFFEE.
If you want a very Korean Starbucks-stylecreative twist, go forStarbucks Korea.
And personally, the one withthe best overall balance wasA Twosome Place.
If you spot watermelon juice at a summer cafe in Korea, I definitely recommend trying it. Enjoying the differences from shop to shop might just become one of those small highlights of a summer trip to Korea.
