The black corner storefront of BOSSS Coffee in Ansan with its German shepherd mascot sign

BOSSS Coffee, Ansan — Good Coffee and Room to Talk

I found BOSSS riding past it on my bike. It's a big corner spot on Gwangdeok 1-ro in Sangnok-gu with a patio out front and a cartoon German shepherd in sunglasses over the door, so I pulled over to check it out.

Independent, Roasting Since 2022

A banner by the door says they've been choosing, blending and roasting their own beans since 2022. I asked the barista about it, and the roasting happens at a separate location, not in the shop. It's not a chain either.

Room to Spread Out

The room is big and the tables are spaced out, with a good mix of seating. Some tables have wooden-backed chairs and others have big cushioned leather armchairs, and there's the patio outside if you'd rather sit in the sun.

Wide view of the BOSSS Coffee interior with a dark ceiling, warm light strips, leather armchairs, wood tables and the counter

Looking up at a lit ring sign reading BOSSS COFFEE around a cartoon German shepherd in sunglasses

The BOSSS logo painted in white across a black wood slat wall above leather booth seats

I got there at 11:40 and had the place to myself. Not long after I ordered, a few groups came in and it got busy. They had chill coffee house music on, all in English, and the wifi is free. I stepped into the smoking room at one point to hit my vape, and it's a nice room that didn't even smell like smoke.

The BOSSS Coffee deck patio seen through the window, with wicker chairs, round tables and a busy intersection beyond

The patio out front.

The German shepherd in the logo is the owner's dog, and there are photos of him up around the shop.

A BOSSS coffee beans card listing Brazil 80 percent, Guatemala 20 percent and tasting notes, framed next to a photo of a long-haired German shepherd

A printed portrait of a German shepherd taped to a dark wall, above a small sign about charging devices

A paper napkin printed with the BOSSS logo and the cartoon German shepherd mascot on a wood table

A white order buzzer with a BOSSS logo sticker, held in an open hand

They also have a table of the usual Korean cafe pastries, croissants and salt bread and those layered rectangular croissants with chocolate or fruit. I didn't get any this time.

Clear domed pastry covers over trays of croissants and baked goods on a red plaid tablecloth

The Americano, Light on Water

I kept it simple and ordered an iced americano with less water and an extra shot. The americano is 4,000 won on the board and the shot added 500, so it came to 4,500 won.

An iced americano in a clear glass printed with the BOSSS logo, black straw, on a wood table

Iced americano, less water, extra shot. 4,500 won.

It was smooth. I wouldn't put it in the same category as a light third wave pour over, but it's a much smoother iced americano than what you'll get at Mega, Compose or Starbucks, and if you've spent any time in Korea you know you can't walk a block without passing one of those. There's real depth to it, with a coffee cherry note underneath and acidity that's balanced well, so it drinks like a smooth, dark-ish roast. The shop lists the tasting notes on their espresso as milk chocolate, caramel, cashew nut and molasses.

The menu goes well past coffee, with smoothies, teas, sodas and Korean cafe staples like misugaru, a roasted grain drink, and a-syat-chu, which is peach iced tea with a shot of espresso in it. Every coffee can be made decaf too, which is nice for a place that's open until midnight.

The House Blend on the Shelf

They sell their house blend in bags by the window. It's a collaboration with Around the Bean, 80 percent Brazil and 20 percent Guatemala, with the same milk chocolate, caramel, cashew and molasses notes as the espresso. The bags come in 500 grams or a kilo, which is more coffee than I need right now, and I don't have a grinder where I'm staying, so I passed.

Two wooden shelves of white BOSSS House Blend coffee bags by the cafe window

Close-up of a BOSSS House Blend coffee bag label: Around the Bean collaboration, Brazil 80 percent, Guatemala 20 percent, milk chocolate, caramel, cashew nut, molasses

If You're in Ansan

  • The shop: BOSSS Coffee, 365 Gwangdeok 1-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do. The nearest subway station is Hanyang University at Ansan. Instagram @bosss_coffeee.
  • What to order: Iced americano with less water and an extra shot, 4,500 won. Any of the coffees can be made decaf.
  • Take home: The BOSSS House Blend, sold at the counter in 500 gram and 1 kilo bags.
  • Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 to midnight, Sunday 11:00 to 22:00 (from the banner at the door). Check before you go.
  • Bring the dog: The banner says dogs are welcome inside. They also have group seating and a smoking room that doesn't smell like smoke.
  • Wifi and charging: Free wifi, and a sign on the wall says you're welcome to charge your devices.
  • Language: The barista I talked to spoke good English.
  • Delivery: Listed as available on the map app.

BOSSS is a good spot to bring someone for a conversation over coffee, or for a coffee date. The room is spread out enough that you can have a private conversation if you want one, and it's an easy, chill place to sit for a while. And if you're out walking your dog past it one day, bring the dog in with you.

— Jonathan

Dialed In Co. Coffee Passport, stamp no. 5 · BOSSS Coffee · Ansan, South Korea

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