Convenience

Convenience stores

What are you here for?

Quick snack Banana milk, triangular kimbap, instant cup coffee

Any chain works. Triangular kimbap (samgak gimbap, ~₩1,500), banana milk (~₩1,800), or canned/RTD coffee. CU and GS25 have the widest fresh-food refresh; 7-Eleven leans on packaged snacks. Pay tap-and-go with any card or Apple/Google Pay.

Microwave meal Hot lunch box, instant ramyun, frozen mandu

Pick the meal, microwave it yourself. Lunch boxes (~₩4,500 to ₩6,500) have a "전자레인지" sticker showing the heat time (보통 2 to 3 분). For instant ramyun, use the hot water dispenser by the eat-in counter (line up your noodle cup, hit the button, wait 3 minutes). Eat at the standing counter; tray goes to the bin.

Staples + drinks Beer, soju, water, toiletries

All four chains stock the same big-brand basics. Cass / Hite / Terra beer (~₩2,500), soju (~₩2,000), 2L water (~₩1,200). Emart24 has the largest Korean craft-beer selection. GS25 has the strongest wine ("wine25") if that's your thing. Cigarettes require ID, no exception.

Late-night refuge Anywhere after midnight, post-bar, post-noraebang

Almost every store is 24/7. Well-lit, free water at the dispenser, microwave for ramyun, clean counters to sit at, and bathrooms in some (ask the clerk: "화장실 어디예요?"). Even at 4am they are full of college students and shift workers. Single safest place to wait out a missed last-train.

Quick facts

Major chains 4
Total stores ~52,000
Hours 24/7 (most)
Foreign card Yes, contactless

The four chains

CU Largest network. Default if you don't care which.

Strengths

  • Around 17,000 stores, most ubiquitous.
  • Strong PB (private-brand) snacks: Yeonsangun ramyun, HEYROO drinks.
  • Frequent 1+1 / 2+1 promos on the door window.

Watch out

  • Interior style varies wildly by neighborhood; tourist areas are nicer.
GS25 Slightly nicer-feeling, premium PB. Coffee + sandwich runs.

Strengths

  • Around 16,000 stores.
  • Best premium sandwiches (chef-made line).
  • "wine25" selection has actual decent wines from ~₩7,000.

Watch out

  • A few percent pricier on the same items vs CU on average.
7-Eleven Lottery scratch tickets, basics. Reliable but less exciting.

Strengths

  • Around 13,000 stores; operated by Korea Seven (Lotte).
  • Strong on Lotte snacks (Pepero, Choco Pie).
  • Lottery counter (Lotto, scratch).

Watch out

  • Smaller fresh-food selection. Older PB lineup vs CU/GS25.
Emart24 Best craft beer + Shinsegae brand goods. Newer interiors.

Strengths

  • Around 6,500 stores; run by Shinsegae (Emart's parent).
  • Largest Korean craft-beer selection: Magpie, Goose Island, Jeju Brewing.
  • Often has "alcohol-vault" / wine room in larger branches.

Watch out

  • Sparse outside Seoul / metro areas. Smallest network.

Cup ramyun at the counter

Pick your noodle cup

Cup ramyun shelves are usually near the entrance.
Shin Ramyun (red, classic), Buldak (black, very spicy), Jin Ramyun (mild).
Cup is ~₩1,300 to ₩2,000.

Pay first, then assemble

Take cup to register, tap card, then bring it to the eat-in counter.
Some stores have a tray microwave; cup ramyun goes to the hot water dispenser, not the microwave.

Open lid, pull seasoning, pour water

Peel back the lid to the dotted line.
Tear the seasoning packet (분말 스프) on top, dump in.
Place cup under the dispenser.
Press the button labeled "라면" or "온수".
Water fills to the inside line.

Cover, wait 3 minutes

Close the lid back, weight it down with chopsticks (the dispenser counter often has a small jar of chopsticks).
Wait 3 minutes for noodles to bloom.

Eat at the counter, dump tray

Stand or sit at the counter.
After eating, dump cup into the trash, chopsticks in the chopstick bin.
Wipe the counter if it's splashed, that's the etiquette.

Watch out for

Bags cost

Plastic bags are ₩50 to ₩200 each, not free.
Carry a foldable tote for any larger run.
Beer + 2L water = a tote run.

Foreign cards work

Contactless tap with Visa / Mastercard / Apple Pay / Google Pay works in all four chains.
Insert chip is also fine.
ATM accepts foreign cards but charges ₩3,500 to ₩5,000 fee per withdrawal; banks are cheaper if you can.

T-money refill

Top up your T-money / Climate Card at any convenience store register.
"티머니 충전 부탁해요" + your card.
Cash or card both fine. ₩10,000 minimum on most counters.

ID for cigarettes + alcohol

Even if you look 30+, the register is required to ID for cigarettes and alcohol.
Bring your passport if you plan to buy.
Foreign drivers licenses do not count.

24h is "almost always"

CU / GS25 / 7-Eleven / Emart24 are 24/7 by default, but specific branches near schools or offices may close 23:00 to 06:00.
Check the sign on the door if you arrive at 4am.

Sources

CU, BGF Retail (Korean) GS25, GS Retail (Korean) 7-Eleven Korea, Korea Seven / Lotte (Korean) Emart24, Shinsegae (Korean)

Updated June 2026. Store counts are approximate and rounded; chain ownership is accurate. Item prices fluctuate; ranges shown above are typical 2026 levels.

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