11 Popular Korean Convenience Store Snacks You Need to Try

South Korea has a great convenience store culture – these are not just quick pit stops to pick up the basics, they offer the ultimate snacking experience!

One of the things that really sets Korean convenience stores apart from typical UK corner shops is the quality and diversity of the food on offer. Alongside classic grab-and-go snacks, you’ll find an exciting range of DIY options and ready-to-eat meals.

Plus, many stores will have small seating areas and cooking stations so you can cook and customise everything from instant ramen bowls and hot drinks to sweet treats. These features can help turn a simple snack run into a social occasion, with many enjoying convenience stores as cosy hangout spots, especially on late nights.

But the good news is, you don’t need to travel far to experience the joys of Korea’s snack culture - we’ve rounded up some of our favourite Korean convenience store foods that you can enjoy right at home!

Samyang Buldak Ramen

A classic snack you’ll find in any Korena convenience store is instant ramen or ramyeon. Samyang’s Buldak range is particularly popular, offering that iconic kick of spice. Instant noodle pots and bowls are great for customising as you can add a range of toppings like eggs, cheese, fresh veggies or meat – your creativity is the only limit.

Nongshim Chapagetti Instant Noodles

Another favourite noodle option is Nongshim’s Chapagetti range. The sumptuous chewy noodles and rich black soybean sauce resembles the dish jjajangmyeon, making for a hearty snack or quick meal. It is popular to pair these noodles with another instant ramen pack, particularly Neoguri noodles to create a more customised dish.

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki, or topokki, is a Korean staple. Made from chewy rice cakes in a sweet, spicy sauce, tteokbokki is a classic street food, which you can also frequently get in instant cups. If you’re feeling extra hungry, pair your topokki with a packet of ramyeon noodles for a tasty rabokki meal!

Onigiri/Samgak

A typical samgak (often known by the Japanese version onigiri) is a palm-sized rice snack, formed into a recognisable triangle shape. The seasoned rice is paired with a savoury filling (usually something like tuna, kimchi or beef bulgogi) and wrapped in a sheet of seaweed. The triangle is wrapped in plastic in a way that keeps the seaweed separate from the rice, ensuring it stays fresh and crispy until you're ready to eat, making it a fantastic on-the-go bite.

Kimbap

Like onigiri, kimbap is a popular rice and seaweed based snack. The difference is that kimbap is prepared in long rolls, akin to Japanese sushi, although the rice is often seasoned with sesame oil rather than vinegar and sugar as in sushi.. You can get a range of fillings (cooked rather than raw as is sometimes the case with sushi), with marinated beef bulgogi often being a particular hit.

Korean Corn Dogs

Another street food staple, Korean corn dogs, typically made from sausage and mozzarella fried in a chewy batter, are becoming increasingly popular around the world. Often coated in crispy ramen, cubed potato or cornflakes and topped with a combination of sugar, ketchup, mustard or mayo, Korean corn dogs are a deliciously moreish, filling snack well worth trying!

Korean Cream Bread

If you’re after a sweet treat, look no further than viral social media sensation: Korean cream bread. This tasty bakery-style snack is made from airy brioche-like bread filled with whipped cream, usually vanilla or chocolate flavour. Unlike other kinds of pastries, these buns are light and not too heavy, making them ideal for quick breakfasts or when you need a sweet pick-me-up.

Korean Pouch Drinks

Pouch drinks are a convenience store staple, offering a handy way to enjoy delicious, refreshing drinks wherever you are. In stores, these pouches are often sold alongside ice cups, which you squeeze the drink into. It has become popular to combine different pouches for a customised experience. For instance, some people like to blend a coffee drink pouch with flavoured milk for a personalised latte! You can get all sorts of pouch drinks flavours, from fruit juices to espresso.

Melon Milk

Aside from pouch drinks, Korean convenience store shelves are also often laden with different flavoured milks, going beyond the simple chocolate or strawberry options you might find in UK supermarkets. Banana milk and melon milk are especially popular.

Turtle Chips

For savoury snacks craving, grab a packet of Turtle chips. These ultra crunchy crisps are made from four layers of airy corn chips, resulting in a shell-shaped bite, hence the name. The moreish crunch and range of indulgent flavours, from chocolate churro to truffle to sweet corn, makes these an incredibly popular snack and must-try for those seeking the Korean convenience store classics.

Kkokkalcorn

These corn snacks made by Lotte are another crunchy delight, offering cone-shaped corn bites in various flavours. The combination of the light, airy texture and satisfying crunch made for an irresistible snacking experience.

Some of the most popular convenience stores in Korea include GS25, CU and 7-Eleven. Each is known for their own exclusive ranges and must-try signature snacks. Here at Oriental Mart, we bring the very best snacks and food together in one convenient online Korean supermarket, so you can enjoy authentic treats at home!