Quat’s: Specialty Coffee, Global Sourcing & Omakase in LA

Quat's offers specialty coffee & tea curated from Kim's global travels. Features omakase tasting room & Korean coffee culture influence amid tariff challenges & high demand in Los Angeles.

Throughout Quat’s yard, find two entries with multiple tables and chairs. On the north side, site visitors can buy specialty coffee and tea beverages, which were curated throughout Kim’s 50 journeys abroad over the last year, during which he developed relationships with cultivators while traveling to countries like Ethiopia, Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia. Beans and tea leaves are showcased throughout 2 large spaces. Quat’s beans are extremely curated, with some high-end beans that cost a couple of hundred bucks, as well as more budget-friendly coffee selections. A couple of actions towards the rear retail space reveal an eight-seat tasting room that Kim hopes to have functional in the coming months. Quat’s omakase space, called Atelier Q, will run by visit just.

Quat’s Omakase Concept

“We work with fantastic skill, however occasionally there is a restriction to the type of settlement or placement we can use them,” says Kim. “For baristas to be successful and obtain more motivation to think that they can have an occupation, we’ll open Quat’s [omakase] stage for talented prospects that wish to stay in the industry. To develop a various area like this is seriously needed right now.”

Impact of Tariffs on Coffee Prices

The Trump Management’s tariffs have actually had an impact on Kim’s organizations, similar to the majority of coffee operators in the United States. According to Forbes, the price of coffee is 39 percent greater than in 2024; the price can also rely on the beans’ native land. “Earlier this year, the coffee price escalated, varied, and created chaos for all large environment-friendly bean buyers,” claims Kim. “Add the toll, and that resulted in us paying 30 percent to 100 percent more than typical. This is the brand-new regular.”

Korean Coffee Influence in LA

There is still high demand for coffee-makers like Loquat and Kumquat. In recent times, the Korean coffee wave struck Los Angeles hard with coffee shops like Damo Teahouse, Takes care of Coffee (formerly Camel), and Collection A Coffee opening up throughout the area. Certain beverages and treats are associated with Oriental coffee society, it’s these cafes’ great attention to information that has lots of Angelenos returning to them. Kim and Sohn intend to bring that exact same degree of consideration to Quat, consisting of with their employees: Kim began his occupation as a barista and says he wishes to assist boost his employees into more prominent roles within the coffee world by showcasing their skills in the omakase tasting space.

Kim’s Vision Realized

Back in 2018, Kim informed Eater he wanted a centralized coffee toasting procedure in addition to a retail room, an exterior seats location, a coffee service area, and a coffee omakase tasting area. Currently, that longtime desire has actually been understood: Kim made the 3,500-square-foot Quat with a minimal strategy, using neutral tones, discounted furniture (to keep prices down), and hand-painted art from his mother. To include in running three cafes, a pastry shop, and the new Quat, Kim claims they’re opening up one more Kumquat in Hollywood later this year.

Back in 2018, Kim informed Eater he desired a centralized coffee toasting operation as well as a retail area, an outside seating location, a coffee solution area, and a coffee omakase tasting space. On the north side, site visitors can acquire specialized coffee and tea drinks, which were curated during Kim’s 50 trips abroad over the last year, throughout which he developed relationships with growers while traveling to nations like Ethiopia, Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia. “Previously this year, the coffee price skyrocketed, fluctuated, and created disorder for all huge eco-friendly bean customers,” claims Kim. In current years, the Korean coffee wave struck Los Angeles hard with coffee shops like Damo Teahouse, Deals with Coffee (formerly Camel), and Series A Coffee opening up throughout the area. Kim and Sohn really hope to bring that exact same level of consideration to Quat, consisting of with their staff members: Kim began his job as a barista and says he wants to aid uplift his employees right into more popular functions within the coffee globe by showcasing their skills in the omakase sampling space.

Quat’s south side residences the compact cafe and toasting room. The menu features standard coffee drinks as well as two mashup inventions from favored beverages at Kumquat and Loquat.