24/7 Convenience Stores in South Korea: A Little World of Comfort, Safety & Sweet Surprises.

 By Farin Khatoon

When I first arrived in South Korea, nothing felt familiar—not the language, not the food, not even the rhythm of the streets. But there was one tiny, brightly lit place that never failed to welcome me, day or night: the Korean convenience store. Whether it was GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Ministop, Emart24, or some local chain, these stores became my safe havens—warm little bubbles of comfort in a world that felt overwhelmingly big.

South Korean convenience stores are more than simple shops; they are small worlds of their own. Open 24/7, automated, sparkling clean, and surprisingly peaceful, they feel like modern storytelling spaces—where students cram for exams at 3 AM, office workers warm instant ramyeon after long overtime, and foreigners like me discover tiny pieces of joy in unfamiliar packaging.

During my first week in Korea, I remember walking into a convenience store feeling confused and slightly scared, staring at shelves filled with snacks I had never seen before. Everything looked exciting, but being a Muslim, I had to be very careful. Korea doesn’t make this easy—meat sneaks into almost everything. Inside snacks, rice balls, sauces, seaweed wraps, and even some chocolates.

I know… unbelievable, right?

And that’s how I found my survival combo—something that still makes my heart soft whenever I think back: banana milk and strawberry sandwich.

                                   

For one whole month, this became my lunch. Not out of helplessness, but because it felt safe and genuinely comforting. I would grab the iconic Binggrae Banana Milk and pair it with a fresh strawberry sandwich, filled with whipped cream and real strawberry slices tucked inside the softest bread. This sweet, simple combination carried me through long lab hours, lonely bus rides, and chilly walks back to my dorm. No regrets—it’s still my favorite. It holds a special, almost nostalgic, corner in my heart.

What makes Korean convenience stores even more charming is how they pop up everywhere—you walk for five minutes, and another one shines like a tiny lighthouse. And inside, you’ll find almost everything: makeup, stationery, medicines, umbrellas, hot meals, warm drinks, socks, even phone chargers. And of course, the iconic ramyeon station, where you choose your cup noodles, fill them with boiling water, wait a few minutes, and sit down to enjoy your own K-drama moment.

I still laugh remembering how I first learned to use those ramyeon-making machines by secretly watching the people around me, pretending I knew exactly what I was doing even though I struggled to open the lid and add the seasoning correctly.

Convenience stores in Korea are so amazing that even YouTubers can’t resist them. Some of the most popular creators have filmed entire episodes exploring Korean convenience-store culture. 

1. Maya Lee : https://youtu.be/ZJsSwQnAuKI?si=McZvzVDCIKIRVC6b

2. sassyinkorea : https://youtu.be/7g34qeYjz64?si=b0y9aNZA5GfrpQYl

3. Pooh in Korea : https://youtu.be/FicocWaSHI0?si=ZEifrkbNDFm75hKH

Watching these videos always reminds me of my own early days in Korea — the excitement, the confusion, the sweetness of discovering something new, and the comfort of finding a tiny home inside a bright little store.

South Korea taught me that convenience is not just about accessibility; it is about feeling safe, welcomed, and understood. Convenience stores became my second home—a place where I could breathe, relax, and find happiness in small things like banana milk and a soft, sweet sandwich.

Even now, when I think of Korea, the first image that comes to my mind isn’t a palace or a subway station or even cherry blossoms. It’s the soft fluorescent glow of a CU store on a quiet evening, doors sliding open for me as if to say:

Welcome. You’re safe here.

And that feeling stays forever.