TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Compose Coffee, a popular South Korean coffee chain, opened its first Taiwan store on Monday (March 30), drawing large crowds in Taipei's Zhongshan District. The store, located near MRT Nanjing Fuxing Station Exit 1, operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during its trial run. A special promotion offers a medium iced Americano for NT$45 (around US$1.40).
BTS member V (Kim Tae-hyung, 김태형) endorses Compose Coffee, fueling excitement with the release of a "V Collaboration Cup Sleeve" and a special drink called "Grapefruit Concerto." The collaboration drew many ARMY, as BTS fans are known, to the store. Some customers expressed disappointment after waiting an hour, only to learn drinks might be unavailable due to insufficient supplies and overheated coffee machines.
One fan said the trial run crowd extended to a nearby park, with at least a 50-minute wait time. Other patrons praised the reasonable pricing and the brand's affordable image, though Taiwan's menu lacks the diversity found in South Korea. Compose Coffee operates over 3,000 locations in South Korea and sells more than 300 million cups annually. The brand's Taiwan debut allows coffee enthusiasts to experience Korean coffee culture without traveling abroad. ◼