Korea's Best Convenience Store Food Combos

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   Korean convenience stores play an important role in society. The first convenience store in Korea was ‘Lotte Seven.' They opened their first shop in 1982 in front of Yaksu Market. Later, after the 7-Eleven Olympic store opened, convenience stores became more commonplace in Korea. Open 24 hours, they carry all kinds of items you can run out of quickly, including a wide array of food for quick and convenient meals. Each chain also focuses on their own private brands (PB). GS25’s PB brand is ‘You-us’ and CU’s PB brand is ‘Hey-roo' and specializes in different items. For instance, GS25’s lunch boxes and gimbap are highly rated, while CU’s bread products are considered very tasty. Some GS25 locations even have a bakery in the store, so they can sell freshly baked goods. With the nation relying so much on their goods, there are also apps for each convenience store that offer up the latest 2 for 1 deals and have options for ordering meals for pick up at desired locations. University students in Korea usually grab food from convenience stores when they have only a short time to eat. Students who live in dormitories rely on convenience store fast food more often than other students because it is quick and easy. However, with so much to choose from, it is hard to imagine that the most sought after dishes, are combinations of popular meals. There is even a TV show that is dedicated to developing new recipe options.

¡ã A Picture of Korean Convenience Store (Photo from Joongangilbo)

   In fact, there are several convenience store food combinations that are popular these days with consumers. The ‘Mark Combo’, which was arguably the first combination to rise in popularity is made up of ‘Giant Tteokbokki' and ‘Spaghetti Cup Noodles.' To make the dish, first, cook the two main items sold at any CU shop. Then, pour the cup noodles into the bowl of tteokbokki and mix them together. Add cut sausages on top of the mixture and sprinkle it with cheese. Finally, microwave the bowl for just enough time to melt the cheese. The combination is so popular that it quickly became known as the best convenience store meal. The next combo is the ‘Sarigomtang Dumpling Soup.' Heat frozen dumplings in a microwave oven. While they are warming up, make some. ‘Sarigomtang ramen’ When it is ready, add the cooked dumplings and enjoy! It is so simple that anyone with a microwave oven can make it. ‘Buldak Fried Rice’ is also very popular. First, cook some Buldak noodles. Then, add put tuna fried rice balls (gimbap) to a cup and break them up with a fork. Add, cheese to the rice mixture before you combine it with the Buldak noodles. Top it all off with sesame seeds and seaweed powder. The last popular food combo is the ‘Ice Cream Cocktail.' Simply ice cream, Sprite, and soju for a delicious cocktail at a low price.

¡ã A Picture of Convenience Store Food Combos (Photo from The Dankook Herald)

   To find out which of these items foreign students enjoyed the most, The Dankook Herald (DKH) invited three exchange students from Dankook University (DKU) to try them out. Anna-Lena Kurr, from the department of International Relations and Law, said it was a fun experience and it made her want to eat ramyeon more often because it was tasty and easy to make. Among the 3 combination meals she tried, her favorite was the Sarigomtang Dumpling Soup. It warmed her up and she recommended students eat it on cold days or when people are craving something to warm them up from the inside. After the experience, she said she will recommend trying out these dishes to other foreigners. She said, “Especially when living in a dorm, where you cannot cook yourself, and eating outside is expensive, finding out how to make different foods from the convenience store tastier, is really helpful.”

   Vanessa Volk, from the department of International Finance, thought the Sarigomtang Dumpling Soup was the best and believed it was healthier than other ramen noodles. She recommended the Mark Combo for people who are hungry because it is a big meal and has so many different tastes. Lastly, she also like the Buldak Fried Rice. She found the rice combined with the Buldak sauce and the taste of the seaweed to be really enjoyable. She also had fun smashing up the rice balls. She wants to try this combo again sometime, but add cheese and sausage too. She recommended this experience for foreigners. She said, “I think it's a fun way to try convenience store food in different ways. When foreigners stay in Korea for a long time, eating the same convenience store food can get pretty boring.”

   Louisa Jubt, from the department of International Business Administration said, “I enjoyed getting to know the new combinations. Some were very surprising and something that I wouldn't have thought to try on my own. I usually don't like having meals from the convenience store too often, but I will eat these combinations again.” She also said she will recommend this to other foreigners, especially foreign students. She liked everything she tried, just for different reasons. Her favorite combination was the ‘Buldak Fried Rice' because it was super fun to mix up.

   There are so many accessible meal options at Korean convenience stores. The longer you live in Korea, the more often you will find yourself relying on them when you are too lazy to go out to eat or cook at home. Why don't you try one of these interesting food combinations? It will be a new and truly unique experience that you will not regret.


ÃÖÀºÁö, Á¤¼Ò¿¬, ¼Õ¼öºó  dankookherald@gmail.com
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