Coffee was never supposed to be Byoung-Woo Kang's calling. When the Korean-born creative arrived in Australia in 2009, he was a photographer who happened to have barista experience from a part-time Starbucks job back home. But fate had other plans when he landed a position at Market Lane's first store in Prahran Market.
"I love drinking coffee, but I love the process of how coffee is made more," says Kang, who goes by BW. "I'm fascinated with the roasting side and how small things, like a 0.5-degree change, makes a big difference in flavour."
That fascination evolved into expertise, and in 2017, BW opened his first Acoffee shop on Sackville Street in Collingwood. The stark, minimalist space with bare white walls reflected his philosophy of simplicity and transparency—letting the coffee speak for itself without distraction.
Now, after eight years of building a devoted following, BW has taken a significant step by opening a second location in Melbourne's CBD at the base of Hyde Melbourne Place hotel. The new space maintains Acoffee's signature slick aesthetic while incorporating warmer wood paneling, designed as "an escape from the busy streets."
The menu showcases BW's meticulous approach. The signature espresso blend, Dansaekhwa—named after the 1950s Korean monochrome art movement—features a dark roasted profile that emphasizes the Brazilian beans' rich chocolate and brown sugar notes. Specialty drinks include an einspanner (a Viennese espresso topped with sweetened whipped cream) and the Cameo, a black tea blend brewed for 20 hours and served iced with fresh cream.
But perhaps what sets Acoffee apart is BW's commitment to education. The Collingwood roastery hosts classes where he shares the knowledge gained from years of experimentation. "There were many trials and errors involved, and so many hours of experimenting in what I do," BW reflects. "When I started, there weren't a lot of resources that people could learn from. I want to share what I've learned."
The expanded CBD store features an enhanced retail section where BW personally provides recommendations to customers seeking to perfect their home brewing. From part-time barista to respected roaster and educator, BW's journey proves that sometimes the detours in life lead exactly where we're meant to be.