A Massive Release of Irresistible Convenience Store Combos
Korean convenience stores transcend being mere 24-hour shops; they are special spaces where you can experience Korean-style convenience store food and enjoy it like a local. From meals to desserts, you can experience every course of food at Korean convenience stores. Especially with their affordable prices and accessibility—you can find one around every corner—Koreans simply can’t live without them! Discover must-try recommended foods from Korea’s 24-hour convenience stores and unique recipes (must-try combos) that have gone viral on social media!
① Must-Try Items at Korean Convenience Stores
1️⃣ Buldak Bokkeummyun Series
When you think of Korea, spicy flavours probably spring to mind! The ever-popular Buldak Bokkeummyun series is an absolute must-have in any Korean convenience store. It’s a real challenge for travellers who love spicy food. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, try the pink Carbonara Buldak instead. It offers the perfect balance of spicy and creamy flavours.
2️⃣ Triangular rice balls and kimbap
Triangular rice balls are a simple and convenient Korean-style onigiri. While long, cylindrical gimbap are very familiar, the triangular shape of triangular rice balls adds fun to the eating experience as well as the taste. The flavour varies depending on the filling, so you won’t get bored even if you eat them daily. They’re inexpensive but filling, making them a great option for a quick meal when you’re short on time.
3️⃣ Lunch boxes
Korean convenience stores sell lunch boxes packed with various side dishes. For a low price, they contain rice, meat and side dishes, providing a perfectly satisfying meal. You might think that food from convenience stores lacks flavour, but the quality is surprisingly high, making these lunch boxes a popular, cost-effective meal option.
3️⃣ Banana-flavoured milk
Also known as ‘Ddongba’, this drink has become a signature beverage in Korea. There are various flavours of milk in Korea, such as banana, strawberry, chocolate and coffee, but Ddongba is popular thanks to its sweet, smooth taste and unique container. The cute container makes it a great souvenir, and the smooth flavour is perfect for washing down spicy food.
② Must-try recipe combos from the SNS Convenience Store
1️⃣ Carbonara Buldak Noodles with Milk and Cheese
👉 Ingredients: Carbonara Buldak Stir-Fry Noodles + Milk (or heavy cream) + Sliced cheese
▸ Open the Carbonara Buldak cup noodles and pour in hot water.
▸ Once the noodles are cooked, leave a little water in the cup and drain the rest.
▸ Add milk and the Carbonara Buldak sauce packet to the cup noodles. Microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. (Alternatively, mix with hot water.)
▸ Top with one slice of cheese, melt it, and mix before eating.
2️⃣ Banana Hazelnut Latte
Sweet banana milk meets fragrant hazelnut for a taste like a high-end cafe drink.
👉 Ingredients: Banana-flavored milk + Hazelnut-flavored pouch coffee (Cantata, Georgia, etc.)
▸ Purchase an ice cup, pouch coffee, and banana-flavored milk.
▸ Pour banana-flavored milk into the ice cup until it’s about half full.
▸ Fill the remaining half with coffee, mix, and enjoy.
3️⃣ Fanta Float
Similar taste to the popular American Creamsicle dessert
👉 Ingredients: Orange-flavored Fanta + Vanilla ice cream (Together, Excellent)
▸ Pour orange-flavored Fanta into an ice cup.
▸ Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, mix, and enjoy.
4️⃣ Strawberry Milk Kongjac Jelly
A sweet drink featuring a pleasantly chewy texture
👉 Ingredients: Orange-flavored Fanta + Vanilla ice cream (Together, Excellent)
▸ Pour orange-flavored Fanta into an ice cup.
▸ Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, mix, and enjoy.
5️⃣ Make Your Own Ramen
Create a hearty meal by adding various toppings
👉 Ingredients: Cup noodles (Shin Ramyun, Jin Ramyun, etc.) + Cheese + Chicken breast + Egg + Canned tuna
▸ Cook one cup noodle (Jin Ramyun, Shin Ramyun, etc.).
▸ Add sliced cheese and an egg.
▸ Add canned tuna or shredded chicken breast.
▸ Tear string cheese and add it.
▸ Mix everything together and eat.
5️⃣ Chicken Waffles
Easily make the popular Western dish chicken waffles at a convenience store
👉 Ingredients: Boneless chicken + Waffle bread
▸ Microwave boneless chicken or frozen chicken nuggets sold at convenience stores. (The seasoned kind is best for sweet and spicy flavor)
▸ Warm the waffle bread and place the chicken on top to eat together.
7️⃣ Cheesy Spaghetti Tteokbokki
Making Korean-style sweet and spicy rosemary pasta
👉 Ingredients: Ottogi Cup Spaghetti + Cup Tteokbokki (Spicy)
▸ Pour hot water into the cup tteokbokki and cook the rice cakes. Simultaneously, pour water into the cup spaghetti and cook the noodles.
▸ Drain most of the water from the tteokbokki cup, leaving a little behind.
▸ Add the tteokbokki sauce to the drained cup, then mix in the cooked spaghetti noodles and their sauce. Enjoy.
③ Convenience store tips!
1️⃣ Instant cooking counter
Almost every convenience store has a microwave, hot water and tables, so you can cook and eat the food you have bought there and then. Some stores even have instant noodle machines where you can boil and eat packaged noodles. Make use of the provided cooking equipment to create your own convenience store meal.
2️⃣ Payment
Most convenience stores accept various payment methods, including cash, international credit cards, mobile payments and T-money cards. If you have a remaining balance on your T-money card, buying a simple drink, snack or treat from a convenience store is a great way to use it up.
3️⃣ Buy One Get One Free/Buy Two Get One Free Deals
This is a unique Korean cultural phenomenon: bundle discount promotions! When browsing items in a convenience store, you will see markings indicating which products are participating in these promotions. Korean convenience stores frequently run promotions such as ‘buy one, get one free’ or ‘buy two, get one free’. Check for items eligible for these promotions while shopping and take advantage of them! You can get great deals!
Korean convenience stores are so much more than just places to buy snacks; they’re like small playgrounds and food laboratories. The unexpected flavours created by combining spicy chicken ramen with cheese, banana milk with coffee or coffee with banana milk offer a unique travel experience. Browsing around a convenience store is a great way to experience Korea. So tonight, be sure to pop into the convenience store outside your hotel — your perfect combination is waiting for you! ✨
