Hong Kong Starbucks Apologises Over ‘Kimchi’ Cup Label
HK01 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A South Korean tourist surnamed Kim said a Starbucks branch inside Hong Kong International Airport printed “Mr. Kimchi” on his drink label after he provided his surname while ordering before a flight back to Seoul. The incident happened on Sunday, 11 October, at the airside West Hall branch near Gate 61, according to the reports. After the customer challenged staff, a frontline employee apologised and said the name had been entered by mistake, while a supervisor said the cashier had selected the wrong option on the ordering system. Starbucks Hong Kong later issued a written apology, said it does not tolerate discrimination or disrespect, and said it had completed an internal review and would step up staff training.
Key Points
- The customer, identified in reports as a 38-year-old South Korean man surnamed Kim, was travelling with his wife and was preparing to return to Seoul that evening
- The couple bought coffee at about 9pm on 11 October at the Starbucks in the restricted area West Hall near Gate 61 of Hong Kong International Airport.
- He said both drink cups were labelled “Mr. Kimchi”, and he returned to the store after noticing the wording while waiting to board
- The man said he had seen two staff members looking at the computer screen and smiling, and they asked him to repeat his surname before serving him
- A female staff member apologised and said she had entered the wrong name unintentionally, but the customer disputed the explanation and later complained to the media.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case centres on service standards at the city’s main airport, where many visitors may form impressions of Hong Kong through brief frontline encounters. Starbucks’ response — an apology, internal review and added training — also shows how complaints about possible disrespect can quickly become a reputational issue for international brands operating in Hong Kong.