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| A foreign traveler enjoying a warm cup of ramen inside a Korean convenience store on a rainy night. |
I once came across a YouTube Shorts video that claimed many foreign travelers, after landing in Korea and dropping their bags at the hotel or guesthouse, head straight to a nearby convenience store.
For me, as someone living in Korea, a convenience store is just a familiar corner shop where I grab water, snacks, or something quick to eat. So I honestly wondered: “Why are Korean convenience stores so impressive to foreign travelers?”
Out of curiosity, I started reading posts on Reddit and a few other travel communities. There, I saw the same pattern over and over again:
- “Going to a Korean convenience store is a must-do on my trip.”
- “You have to try convenience store food at least once.”
- “I loved it, but I was a bit confused about how things work.”
Many travelers were extremely satisfied with their experience, but some also shared little mistakes or awkward moments because they weren’t used to how Korean convenience stores work.
So in this first part of a two-part guide, I’d like to explain why Korean convenience stores feel so special to travelers and how to use them without confusion if you’re visiting for the first time. Part 1 focuses on basic usage, culture, and brand differences, and Part 2 will cover recommended foods and useful extra services.
Why Korean Convenience Stores Are So Popular Among Foreign Travelers
For many first-time visitors, one of the biggest surprises in Korea is how everywhere convenience stores are. In most city areas, you can find one within a 3–5 minute walk, sometimes even two or three on the same block. Just like cafés are everywhere in Korea, convenience stores are just as common.
Most locations in busy areas are open 24 hours, which makes them a lifesaver when:
- you’re jet-lagged and awake at odd hours,
- you arrive late at night and still want a quick meal,
- or you suddenly need something simple but everything else is closed.
Korean convenience stores are more than a place to buy drinks and chips. They often have hot water dispensers, microwaves, and simple seating areas, so you can heat up a meal and eat it right there. For locals, this is just part of everyday life, but for many foreign travelers, “having a full meal inside a convenience store” feels like a fun, very Korean experience.
Because of the wide variety of instant meals and the fast, easy cooking system, convenience stores naturally become a place most travelers end up visiting at least once during their trip.
Korean Convenience Store Brands Compared: GS25 vs CU vs 7-Eleven vs Emart24
While traveling in Korea, you’ll see many different convenience store signs, but the four brands you’ll encounter most often are GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24. Overall quality is similar across all four. From a traveler’s point of view, the main differences are atmosphere and product lineup.
CU
CU is one of the largest convenience store chains in Korea, and you’ll see it almost everywhere. It has a strong lineup of simple meals like kimbap, triangle gimbap, and lunch boxes, making it a great choice when you want a cheap, quick, and filling meal.
GS25
GS25, together with CU, is one of the “big two” brands in Korea. It frequently launches new and limited-edition items, and its selection of snacks, drinks, and desserts is very wide. If you enjoy browsing shelves and discovering new things, GS25 is a fun place to explore.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven in Korea feels a bit different from 7-Eleven in other countries, but it’s still a solid, familiar global chain. It has a very stable basic lineup of snacks, noodles, ice cream, and drinks, so it’s good when you just want reliable, simple options. Sometimes it also sells popular Japanese items in limited runs.
Emart24
Emart24 is part of the Emart supermarket group. Its strength is in private-label (PB) products such as unique snacks and drinks. Many travelers praise the quality of its Emart-branded items, and some stores give off a slightly “mini supermarket” feeling with a neat and calm atmosphere.
In the end, for most travelers, it matters less which brand you visit and more which specific store happens to be nearby. All four are perfectly fine choices for late-night snacks, quick meals, and emergency items.
How to Use a Korean Convenience Store: Essential Rules & First-Time Tips
Korean convenience stores can seem a bit overwhelming at first because they offer more functions than many visitors are used to. But if you remember just a few basic rules, you’ll find them extremely easy and comfortable to use.
1) You Can Use the Microwave and Hot Water by Yourself
One of the most common questions from first-time visitors is: “Do I have to ask the staff to heat my food?” In Korea, the answer is almost always no.
You buy your food, then use the microwave or hot water dispenser yourself. It’s completely normal and expected that customers heat their own lunch boxes or pour hot water into their cup noodles without asking staff for help. As long as you’re using the machines for food you bought in the store, you don’t need to worry about bothering anyone.
2) Pay First, Then Use the Tables
In some countries, people might sit down first and then go back to the counter later. In Korean convenience stores, the usual order is:
- Choose what you want
- Pay at the counter
- Sit down and eat, if there are tables available
Sitting down with unpaid items or opening food before paying can confuse staff and feel awkward in Korea. It’s a small cultural difference, but once you know it, you’ll feel much more comfortable.
3) Basic Table Etiquette: Small but Important
Convenience store seating areas are casual, but there are still a few basic manners locals follow:
- Eat only what you bought in the store
- Throw away your trash in the bins provided
- Avoid occupying the table for too long when it’s busy
These are all unspoken rules, but following them helps you blend in and avoid any uncomfortable situations.
4) Buying Alcohol and Cigarettes as a Foreigner
Korea is quite strict about age restrictions for alcohol and cigarettes. Convenience store staff can get in serious trouble for selling to minors, so they may ask for ID if they’re not sure about your age.
For foreigners, the most commonly accepted ID is your passport.
In practice:
- Some staff will ask for your passport
- Others may not ask if you clearly look over the legal age
- If staff do ask and you cannot show ID, they are allowed to refuse the sale
So it’s a good idea to assume: “If I want to buy alcohol or cigarettes, I should be ready to show my passport just in case.” You might not always be asked, but it’s safer to be prepared.
5) Payment: Cards Are Widely Accepted
One of the nicest things about traveling in Korea is how easy card payments are.
- Most convenience stores accept foreign credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
- Mobile payments like Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay are increasingly accepted, depending on the store
- You can also top up a T-money transportation card at many stores
Because of this, many travelers find they don’t need to use much cash at all during their trip, especially in major cities.
Why Korean Convenience Stores Matter During Your Trip
Korean convenience stores are more than just small shops. For travelers, they’re almost like a 24-hour support system that’s always nearby.
- Hungry late at night?
- Need a simple breakfast before an early tour?
- Forgot toiletries, a charger, or an umbrella?
Most of the time, a single visit to a convenience store will solve the problem.
For first-time visitors, they also offer a relaxed, low-pressure way to experience everyday Korean life: local snacks, drinks, quick meals, and a small peek into how people live here day-to-day.
If you’re planning a trip to Korea, don’t think of convenience stores as “just shops”. Think of them as part of your travel experience — a warm, bright little corner that can make your trip easier, cheaper, and a bit more memorable.
In Part 2, we’ll dive into what to actually eat and try at Korean convenience stores, plus some useful extra services many travelers don’t know about.
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