Last updated: January 2026
Korean convenience stores saved me my first year in Korea.
- I couldn’t read Korean. Couldn’t cook. Didn’t know any restaurants.
But convenience stores? Universal language. Point at food. Pay. Eat.
I survived on triangle kimbap and cup ramyeon for months.
35 years later, Korean convenience stores are still my backup plan. Bad weather? Convenience store dinner. Late night hunger? Convenience store ramyeon. Need anything at 3 AM? Convenience store.
They’re not just stores. They’re survival kits.
Korean convenience stores are different.
They’re not just for snacks and drinks.
They’re a lifestyle.
Here’s what you need to know.
Convenience stores are perfect for recharging your T-money card. Don’t have one yet? Read our T-money Card Guide.
The Big Three
Korea has three major chains:
| Chain | Color | Stores |
|---|---|---|
| CU | Purple | 17,000+ |
| GS25 | Blue/Orange | 16,000+ |
| 7-Eleven | Green/Orange | 13,000+ |
They’re everywhere.
Literally every corner.
Often multiple on the same street.
All are similar in quality and prices.
Why Korean Convenience Stores Are Special
1. Hot Food Section
Not just snacks — real meals.
Every store has:
- Microwave for heating
- Hot water dispenser
- Seating area (usually)
2. 24/7 Everything
Open 24 hours, 365 days.
ATMs, phone chargers, printing.
Your lifeline at 3 AM.
3. Affordable Meals
Eat for 3,000-5,000원.
Better quality than you’d expect.
Must-Try Convenience Store Food
Samgak Kimbap (삼각김밥)
What: Triangle rice ball
Price: 1,200-1,800원
Best flavors:
- 참치 (chamchi) = Tuna
- 불고기 (bulgogi) = Beef
- 김치 (kimchi) = Kimchi
- 명란 (myeongran) = Cod roe
How to open:
- Pull tab 1
- Pull tab 2
- Pull tab 3
- Seaweed wraps around rice
Looks confusing at first.
Watch the diagram on package.
Cup Ramyeon (컵라면)
What: Instant noodles in cup
Price: 1,500-2,500원
Best sellers:
- 신라면 (Shin Ramyun) – spicy classic
- 진라면 (Jin Ramyun) – milder
- 불닭볶음면 (Buldak) – extremely spicy
How to eat:
- Open lid halfway
- Add hot water from dispenser
- Wait 3-4 minutes
- Stir and enjoy
Lunch Boxes (도시락)
What: Full meal in a box
Price: 3,500-5,500원
Options:
- 불고기 도시락 (bulgogi)
- 제육 도시락 (spicy pork)
- 김치볶음밥 (kimchi fried rice)
- 돈까스 (pork cutlet)
Heat in store microwave.
Add side dishes if included.
Fried Food (튀김류)
What: Hot fried items near counter
Price: 1,000-2,000원 each
Popular items:
- 핫도그 (hot dog)
- 치킨 (fried chicken pieces)
- 고로케 (croquette)
- 만두 (dumplings)
Fresh and hot.
Great quick snack.
Korean Corn Dog (핫도그)
What: Battered sausage on stick
Price: 2,000-3,000원
Types:
- 감자 (gamja) = potato cubes outside
- 모짜렐라 (mozzarella) = cheese filled
- 반반 (banban) = half sausage, half cheese
Dip in ketchup and mustard.
Sometimes sugar too (Korean style).
Best Convenience Store Drinks
Coffee
| Drink | Korean | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Iced Americano | 아이스 아메리카노 | 1,500-2,000원 |
| Bottled coffee | 커피 | 1,200-2,500원 |
| Canned coffee | 캔커피 | 1,000-1,500원 |
TOP tip: 콘트라베이스 (Contrabass) coffee is strong.
Georgia and Maxim are classic Korean brands.
Banana Milk (바나나맛 우유)
The iconic Korean drink.
Price: 1,500-1,800원
Brand: Binggrae (빙그레)
Sweet, creamy, nostalgic.
Every Korean grew up with this.
You have to try it.
Soju (소주)
What: Korean alcohol (16-20%)
Price: 1,800-2,500원
Popular brands:
- 참이슬 (Chamisul) – classic
- 처음처럼 (Chum Churum) – smooth
- 진로 (Jinro) – traditional
Fruit flavors available:
- 자두 (plum)
- 청포도 (green grape)
- 복숭아 (peach)
Makgeolli (막걸리)
What: Rice wine (6-8%)
Price: 2,000-3,000원
Taste: Sweet, milky, fizzy
Shake before drinking.
Traditionally served in bowl.
Other Drinks
| Drink | Korean | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sikhye | 식혜 | Sweet rice drink |
| Sujeonggwa | 수정과 | Cinnamon punch |
| Chilsung Cider | 칠성사이다 | Korean Sprite |
| Milkis | 밀키스 | Milk soda |
| Pocari Sweat | 포카리스웨트 | Electrolyte drink |
Best Convenience Store Snacks
Chips & Crackers
| Snack | Korean | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Butter Chips | 허니버터칩 | Sweet + salty |
| Shrimp Crackers | 새우깡 | Classic shrimp |
| Onion Rings | 양파링 | Onion flavor |
| Turtle Chips | 꼬북칩 | Corn, layered |
| Pocky | 빼빼로 | Chocolate sticks |
Sweets
| Snack | Korean | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Choco Pie | 초코파이 | Chocolate marshmallow cake |
| Pepero | 빼빼로 | Chocolate cookie sticks |
| Melona | 메로나 | Melon ice cream bar |
| Samanco | 싸만코 | Fish-shaped ice cream |
| Jelly | 젤리 | Gummy candies |
Ice Cream
Korean convenience stores have
amazing ice cream selection.
Must try:
- 메로나 (Melona) – melon bar
- 죠스바 (Jaws Bar) – shark-shaped
- 비비빅 (Bibibik) – red bean
- 투게더 (Together) – vanilla tub
- 월드콘 (World Cone) – cone ice cream
Useful Services
ATM
Most stores have ATM.
- International cards accepted
- Small fee (usually 1,000-3,000원)
- 24/7 access
Phone Charging
Many stores have:
- Charging cables for rent
- Portable battery rental
- Outlet spots to charge
Printing & Copying
Some stores offer:
- Photo printing
- Document printing
- Fax services
T-money Recharge
Top up your T-money card here.
- Tell cashier amount
- Pay cash or card
- Card is recharged
Delivery Pickup
Collect packages here:
- CU POST
- GS Postbox
How to Eat at Convenience Store
Step 1: Choose Your Food
Browse refrigerators and hot food.
Check expiration dates on packages.
Step 2: Pay
Take items to counter.
Cashier will ask if you want to heat it.
“데워 드릴까요?” = Should I heat it?
Say “네” (ne) = yes
Step 3: Prepare
Use microwave if needed.
Get hot water for ramyeon.
Grab chopsticks and spoon.
Step 4: Sit and Eat
Most stores have seating.
Inside or outside tables.
Take your time.
You can also buy tourist SIM cards here. Check our Korea SIM Card Guide for the best options.
Convenience Store Korean
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Please heat this | 데워주세요 | dewo-juseyo |
| Bag please | 봉투 주세요 | bongtu juseyo |
| No bag | 봉투 괜찮아요 | bongtu gwaenchana-yo |
| Receipt please | 영수증 주세요 | yeongsujeung juseyo |
| How much? | 얼마예요? | eolma-yeyo? |
| T-money charge | 티머니 충전 | ti-meoni chungjeon |
Money-Saving Tips
1+1 Deals (원플러스원)
Buy one, get one free.
Look for “1+1” stickers.
Common on drinks and snacks.
2+1 Deals
Buy two, get one free.
Look for “2+1” stickers.
Combo Deals
Ramyeon + kimbap + drink combos.
Usually 500-1,000원 savings.
Late Night Discounts
Some stores discount lunch boxes
after 10-11 PM.
Approaching expiration = cheaper.
The 1+1 system I didn’t understand:
My first year, I saw “1+1” signs everywhere. Ignored them.
Then a Korean friend explained: buy one, get one free.
Mind blown. Why didn’t anyone tell me?
How to spot deals:
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1+1 | Buy one, get one free |
| 2+1 | Buy two, get one free |
| 덤 | Bonus item included |
These deals rotate weekly. Always check the promotion shelves.
My strategy:
I check the 1+1 section first. If my usual items are on sale, I stock up. If not, I buy what’s on promotion and discover new things.
Found my favorite coffee this way. Wasn’t looking for it. It was 1+1. Now I’m addicted.
Warning:
1+1 deals made me buy things I didn’t need. Do I need 4 bottles of vitamin water? No. Did I buy them because they were 2+1? Yes.
Self-control required.
Convenience Store Meals by Budget
Under 3,000원
- Samgak kimbap + drink
- Cup ramyeon
- Bread + banana milk
3,000-5,000원
- Lunch box
- Kimbap roll + ramyeon
- Sandwich + coffee
5,000-7,000원
- Lunch box + drink + snack
- Premium ramyeon + kimbap + dessert
24-Hour Survival
Late Night (12-6 AM)
Convenience stores are your friend:
- Hot ramyeon
- Coffee to stay awake
- Snacks for energy
- ATM for cash
- Phone charging
Early Morning
Before cafes open:
- Breakfast sandwich
- Coffee
- Banana milk
Rainy Day
Duck into any convenience store:
- Umbrella (5,000-10,000원)
- Hot food
- Dry off
Why 24-hour matters:
Korea runs late. Dinners at 9 PM. Drinks until 2 AM. Karaoke until dawn.
24-hour convenience stores are the glue that holds this together.
My 3 AM moments:
- Waiting for the first subway after a night out → convenience store
- Deadline at work, need caffeine → convenience store
- Jet lag destroying my sleep schedule → convenience store
- Girlfriend (now wife) wanted snacks → convenience store
The late-night scene:
Convenience stores after midnight are different.
Taxi drivers eating ramyeon. Students studying with coffee. Office workers finally eating dinner. Everyone’s tired but awake.
There’s something comforting about it. No matter what time it is, the lights are on, the food is hot, and you’re not alone.
What NOT to Buy
Overpriced Items
- Umbrellas (cheaper elsewhere)
- Medicine (go to pharmacy)
- Souvenirs (tourist shops better)
Tourist Traps
Generic snacks in tourist areas.
Same items cheaper at regular stores.
My convenience store essentials:
After 35 years, these are my go-to items:
| Item | Price | My Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 삼각김밥 (triangle kimbap) | 1,200-1,800원 | Tuna mayo is my favorite. Eat it at room temp. |
| 컵라면 (cup ramyeon) | 1,500-2,500원 | Add an egg from the counter. Game changer. |
| 바나나우유 (banana milk) | 1,500원 | Korea’s national drink. Don’t question it. |
| 도시락 (lunchbox) | 3,500-5,500원 | Full meal. Microwave at the store. |
| 삼각김밥 + 컵라면 | ~3,000원 | The classic combo. My first year survival meal. |
The egg hack:
Most convenience stores sell boiled eggs near the ramyeon section.
Crack it into your cup ramyeon. Stir. Instant upgrade.
I learned this from watching Korean office workers. They looked at me funny when I ate plain ramyeon. “Add an egg, foreigner!”
My guilty pleasure:
Late night fried chicken (후라이드치킨) from GS25. Is it as good as a real chicken shop? No. Is it hot, crispy, and available at 2 AM? Yes.
Sometimes that’s all that matters.
My Favorites
After 35 years, my go-to order:
Quick lunch:
- 참치 삼각김밥 (tuna triangle)
- 컵라면 (cup ramyeon)
- 바나나우유 (banana milk)
Total: About 5,000원
Late night:
- 불고기 도시락 (bulgogi lunch box)
- 칠성사이다 (Chilsung Cider)
Total: About 4,500원
Final Thoughts
35 years in Korea. Thousands of convenience store visits.
They’re not glamorous. Nobody posts CU on Instagram (well, maybe tourists do).
But they’re there. Always. 24 hours. Every corner.
When everything else is closed, when you’re lost and hungry, when you just need something simple and cheap — convenience stores deliver.
My first meal in Korea was convenience store kimbap.
Last night’s late snack? Convenience store kimbap.
Some things don’t need to change.
— Ted K
Want more food options? Explore our Korean Street Food Guide for the best outdoor eats.
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