Liz Kang and her best friends aren’t strangers to the entrepreneurial journey. With roots in fashion, merchandising, tech, and business ownership, the local group of Korean American women grew up together dreaming about future success. Their newest venture is Seoulli, a Korean instant coffee brand that’s introducing the Pacific Northwest—and the world—to Korean café culture, one cup at a time.

“We are influenced by the values shaped by our parents’ journeys as immigrants,” Kang explains. “We often traveled to Korea and brought back new products to try. When we find something new in Korea and love it, it’s something we want to share with others.”

“Korean pop culture is bringing vibrance, and we wanted to bring that here. Seoulli is Korean coffee culture in a package.”—Liz Kang, Cofounder, Seoulli

In a city like Seattle, which lives and breathes coffee, Kang and her team decided it was time to introduce people to the Korean version that she and her friends know and love.

According to Kang, South Korea was the first to pioneer the instant coffee packet. When it comes to Seoulli, she and her team wanted to bring that easy-to-use form to the United States market in a different, more “American” way. Seoulli instant latte packets are made from 100% Arabica beans from Germany and Uganda and are prepared using an exclusive Dual-Presso extraction technique, which results in a medium roast that’s vibrant, smooth, and full of flavor. The product also features organic brown sugar and organic creamer sourced from Korea’s largest dairy farms. And unlike traditionally small Korean-sized packets, the Seoulli product makes a full six to eight-ounce cup that invites coffee enthusiasts to sit back and savor.

A passion project for each of the five owners, who, aside from Kang, include Julie Yoon, Janice Jung, and Annie Nam, Seoulli officially launched in July 2025 after nearly two years of planning.

“We felt like the coffee market was a little stagnant,” Kang says. “We wanted to introduce something fun and cute…Consumers are getting drawn into smaller, more premium specialty brands. They want something different, and that’s where we think Seoulli stands out.”

People are taking notice, too. Kang says that their Amazon subscription base has skyrocketed since the brand’s launch, on- line orders via their website are increasing, and that retailers such as Bananthony’s Bodega in Seattle, Southgate Mart in Bellevue, and CU Hawaii in Honolulu are stocking their shelves with boxes of the sleek sachets.

Seoulli’s coffee parties at Tangerine Boutique in New York City and W Hotel Bellevue have drawn hundreds of people to enjoy the lattes (which can be prepared hot or iced), as well as sweet treats, including a collaboration with University Village’s Trophy Cupcakes to create Seoulli-infused cupcakes. Additional pop-up events are planned for the future.

Looking ahead, Kang and her team are thrilled about what’s brewing. They’re working on getting Seoulli into more retail locations and expanding their product line—including the potential introduction of a non-dairy option.

“It’s been fun so far, and we’re excited,” Kang says. “Korean pop culture is bringing vibrance, and we wanted to bring that here. Seoulli is Korean coffee culture in a package.”