DIY Korean Convenience Store Meal Sets: A Simple, Affordable, and Delicious Travel Food Guide
When traveling in Korea, aside from enjoying BBQ and kimchi stew, there’s one “hidden gem of everyday cuisine” you absolutely shouldn’t miss—the Korean convenience store. Whether you’re a budget-conscious backpacker or a night owl with midnight cravings, these stores have everything to satisfy your hunger! This article will introduce the charm of Korean convenience store food and guide you on how to DIY a truly authentic and creative Korean-style meal set!
Why DIY at convenience stores?
- Open 24 hours: Perfect for late arrivals, tight schedules, or sudden hunger.
- Under 10,000 KRW per person: About half the cost of a restaurant meal—great for students.
- Local culture experience: Tourists can enjoy the same snack combos loved by Korean youth.
- No language barrier: Most packaging has English or pictures, so it’s hard to choose the wrong item.
Top 5 Must-Try Classic Combos (with Step-by-Step Guide)
1.Soulful Carb Bomb: Mark Meal Set (마크정식)
💡Why it’s recommended: Created by NCT fans, this idol-inspired ramen rice bowl is sweet, spicy, and super addictive.
🍴Ingredients:
1 pack of Neoguri Ramen (너구리 라면)
1 pack of instant rice (즉석밥)
1 cheese stick (치즈스틱)
1 pack of crab sticks or spam (맛살/스팸)
1 small pack of seaweed flakes (김가루)
🔥How to make:
① Open the ramen, add the noodles, seasoning, and shredded crab stick to a bowl. Add water up to the line and microwave for 2 minutes.
② Add the rice and torn cheese stick, microwave for another 1 minute.
③ Mix until the cheese melts and stretches, sprinkle seaweed flakes, and enjoy!
2. A Must for Spicy Food Lovers: Tteokbokki Rice Bowl (떡볶이 밥)
💡Why it’s recommended: Sweet and spicy tteokbokki sauce coats the rice—double carbs, double happiness!
🍴Ingredients:
1 cup of instant tteokbokki (떡볶이)
1 plain triangle kimbap (삼각김밥)
3 frozen fried dumplings (군만두)
1 single-serve pack of kimchi (김치)
🔥How to make:
① Peel open the tteokbokki cup slightly for ventilation, microwave for 2 minutes;
② Crush the triangle kimbap into rice, and microwave the dumplings for 1 minute;
③ Add the rice into the tteokbokki cup and mix well. Dip dumplings in the sauce and enjoy with kimchi to balance the flavor.
🌶️Spice Level Tip: If it’s too spicy, add convenience store milk or a slice of cheese to mellow it out.
3. Winter Comfort Food: Beef Bone Soup with Dumplings (갈비탕 만두)
💡Why it’s recommended: Hot soup and dumplings recreate the cozy street food vibes from Korean dramas on snowy days.
🍴Ingredients:
1 pack of instant galbitang (beef bone soup)
1 pack of king-sized dumplings (왕교자)
1 instant boiled egg (삶은계란)
1 pack of dried green onion flakes (대파가루)
🔥How to make:
① Microwave the beef bone soup for 3 minutes;
② Heat the dumplings in the convenience store air fryer for 5 minutes (or microwave for 2 minutes);
③ Add the peeled boiled egg and green onion flakes into the soup. Dip the dumplings into the broth and enjoy!
4. Calorie Bomb: Cheese Fries (치즈 프라이)
💡Why it’s recommended: Gooey cheese + crispy fries = the ultimate late-night snack for social media bragging rights.
🍴Ingredients:
1 serving of French fries (프렌치프라이)
1 pack of cheese (치즈)
1 pack of honey mustard sauce (허니머스터드)
1 small pack of bacon bits (베이컨크리스피)
🔥How to make:
① Heat the fries in the air fryer for 3 minutes (or microwave for 2.5 minutes);
② Microwave the cheese for 30 seconds until melted, then pour it over the fries;
③ Sprinkle with bacon bits, add honey mustard sauce, and dig in with a toothpick.
⚠️Note: Cheese hardens quickly, so eat within 2 minutes for best texture!
5. Hangover Cure: Ramen with Kimbap (라면 김밥)
💡Why it’s recommended: A go-to late-night snack for Koreans—double carbs with a supposed hangover-healing effect.
🍴Ingredients:
1 pack of Shin Ramyun (신라면)
1 roll of kimbap (김밥)
1 pack of ready-to-eat bean sprouts (콩나물)
🔥How to make:
① Use the convenience store hot water dispenser to cook the ramen;
② Unwrap the kimbap and dip it in the ramen soup;
③ Add the bean sprouts to the soup for a refreshing touch.
Conclusion:
Korean convenience stores aren’t just for quick meals on the go—they’re a delicious way to experience everyday local culture. They offer more than just food and convenience; they provide a warm, authentic glimpse into daily Korean life. So next time you’re in Korea, step into the nearest convenience store and try creating your own DIY Korean meal set. You might just fall in love with this simple yet satisfying taste of travel.
