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Almost every day, after my daily Taekwondo lesson, I would run downstairs to the hole-in-the-wall Korean convenience store and gawk at the colorful array of Korean snacks.
Those snack companies sure knew their audience. Each of the convenience store snacks had these iconic cartoon-like characters, from whales with a bejeweled crown, to an octopus who was apparently also a chef.
It was so hard to pick what I wanted!
Read ahead to learn which 26 Korean convenience store snacks were responsible for making me a little chonker!
Best Korean Convenience Store Snacks
Best Savory Snacks
1. Ottogi Ppushu Ppushu (뿌셔뿌셔)
It’s a bit of a weird concept, but Ppushu Ppushu (pronounced “pooh-shuh pooh-shuh”) is a dry bag of ramen. Yup. You basically sprinkle in the lick-your-fingers good seasoning onto the dry ramen, smash up the ramen bits (the name of the snack means “smash smash”) and shake the bag.
As a kid, I would pound the Ppushu Ppushu ramen bag and shake it like a pair of maracas, only to realize that I might have gone a little too hard, because the ramen bits would be in shambles by the time I opened the bag.
Don’t be like baby Rhaime.
Where to buy it: OTTOGI PPUSHU PPUSHU NOODLE SNACK, 24 Pack ($32.60)
2. Orion Marine Boy Koraebab (고래밥)
Half the fun of Koraebab was ripping the box open and reading the inside flap. My little fingers would zig zag along fun facts about the ocean and its mysterious creatures. I’d never have the patience to solve the puzzles, but I’d skim through them anyway.
I’d then rip open the metallic packaging and examine the creatures. The crab was always my favorite; I’d be awed by the delicate ridges that formed each of the many legs. The starfish was my second favorite.
Then finally, I’d plop the crab in my mouth. My tongue would taste it first: that distinct garlicky, faintly fishy seasoning. Then, in a single blowing crunch, my teeth would deem the thin, hollow creatures featureless.
Where to buy it: Orion Baked Marine Boy Sea Creatures Shaped Sharing Box, 15 Pack ($24.06)
3. Orion O! Karto Original (오감자)
The next best thing after hot fries are O Karto fries. They’re the soft, melting texture and hollow shape of veggie straws. O Karto is my go-to when I’m craving something like potato chips, but want something more satiating and more bougie.
Where to buy it: Generic Orion O! Karto Tube Shape Potato Chip Variety Snack Box, 2 x 2 Flavor Combo ($19.99)
4. Kkokkal Corn (꼬깔콘)
“Little hats,” my mom would say, plopping one Kkokkal Corn on each finger.
I thought of them more as fancy fake nails. Applying the last three fake nails was always the hardest. Once I got one hand covered, I would usually start eating the Kkokal Corn.
On days that I felt extra fancy, I’d ask for help to put on the nails on my other hand, so I’d have a full set of Kkokkal Corn. Then, I’d gracefully wiggle my fingers and imagine I was a polished lady, with my nails on fleek. Inevitably, my nails would fall off my fingers.
Where to buy it: Korean Lotte Popping Corn Chips, 5 oz (Price not available)
5. Nongshim Saeukkang Shrimp Chips (새우깡)
Saeukkang (pronounced “seh-ooh-kahng”) is one of the most popular Korean snacks ever. Since coming out in 1971, Saukkang has been one of the steady sellers at the convenience store. Each shrimp cracker is a little shorter than a MacDonald’s french fry and has twisted ridges around them.
Saeukkang tastes like fried shrimp. It’s got a satisfyingly oily, dense flavor, even though each piece feels physically light as it crisps and melts in your mouth.
It’s the perfect snack from South Korean 7-Elevens to pair with a cold beer. Definitely give this classic, famous snack a try!
Where to buy it: Nongshim Shrimp Cracker, 2 Pack ($8.80)
6. Nongshim Jagalchi Octopus Flavoured Snack (자갈치)
If you couldn’t already tell from Saeukkang, Koreans love seafood! It’s definitely one of the things I missed most when I moved to the US.
Jagalchi are octopus flavored chips. They’re thick and roughly shaped like an octopus, with a thick, fluffy head that crisps and melts in your mouth, and sadly, only 2 legs (not 8).
Beware, these Jagalchi chips are deceivingly addictive. I have definitely downed the whole bag in one sitting before (there’s generous portions in there, too)!
Where to buy it: Nongshim Tako Chips Seafood Flavor 10.29oz Big Size 1 Bag ($14.80)
7. Gamjakkang (감자깡)
If you’re craving potato chips or some french fries, Gamjakkang is a great choice! This snack has always been my go-to.
Where to buy it: Nongshim Potato Snack Korea Food Crackers Nutty and BBQ Flavour ($17.99)
8. Onion Rings (양파링)
What a classic. In the US, it’s pretty common to ask the waiter to remove raw onions from your dish because they make your breath stinky. We Koreans embrace the flavor! (I have to say though, it’s pretty common for Koreans to brush their teeth after lunch!).
Being the kid I was, I would stuff my fingers through the onion rings in a futile attempt to wear them as a bracelet. Unfortunately, I had a fail rate of 100%: the onion ring would shatter before even making it past my knuckles.
Where to buy it: Nongshim Onion Flavored Rings, Pack of 2 ($11.80)
9. Orion Gosomi Sweet & Salty Biscuits (고소미)
Mmmm. These savory biscuits are like fall in a crisp. The more you chew — the more nutty, roasted scent fills your nasal cavity.
And before you know it, the whole sleeve’s gone!
Gosomi is definitely more of a taste that builds as you go, rather than possessing the electric intensity common in modern-day snacks. These biscuits go perfectly with an afternoon cup of tea.
Where to buy it: Orion Gosomi Sweet & Salty Cracker, 12 Pack ($9.00)
10. Haitai Calorie Balance Shortbread
When I was growing up, I swear the Calorie Balance packaging had a lady with an hourglass figure with a tape measure around her waist. I thought these Calorie Balance shortbread sticks were slimming and “good for you”!
Well, no sense in attaching guilt to a tasty snack. It seems that modernity has caught on and their packaging is now more wholesome!
These shortcake sticks are delicious. They make the perfect to-go snack as they are satiating.
Where to find it: Haitai Calories Balance Cheese, 8 Pack (Price not available)
Best Sweet Snacks
11. Yakgwa Cookie (약과)
If you’re into traditional desserts like baklava, you’ll love the rich density of this chewy snack.
Yakgwa is a traditional Korean snack made of layers of wheat flour that are deep fried then coated in honey.
Where to buy it: Korean Traditional Sweet Mini honey Yak Gwa Cookies 3 Pack ($14.00)
12. Jolly Pong (죠리퐁)
Fans of rice cake will love Jolly Pong. Jolly Pong is made from whole wheat that’s pressurized into small puffy pieces.
They used to include a paper spoon in the bag so that you could stuff your mouth with Jolly Pong without getting your hands sticky. I don’t think they include the spoon anymore (or it’s just not included in the imported version), but it was a fun part of the culinary experience.
Where to buy it: Crown, Jolly Pong, 2.61 Ounce ($10.99)
Best Korean Convenience Store Snacks in the Refrigerated Section
13. Samgak Kimbap (삼각김밥)
Who knew that among all the wonderful Korean food out there, that one of the Korean foods I’d miss the most was the $1 samgak kimbap with tuna and mayo?
Samgak kimbap are rice rolls in the shape of a triangle, with savory fillings like bulgogi (Korean pan-fried beef), dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and tuna flavours.
I used to keep at least one or two in the fridge, but the rice does tend to dry out if you leave it in the fridge, so I’d recommend eating them soon after you buy them. Samgak kimbap are great as a light meal, or for breakfast.
14. Binggrae Banana Milk (바나나우유)
I didn’t like fruit as a kid; neither did I like bananas. But Binggrae Banana Milk hit different.
I find artificial banana flavor a bit sickening, but the flavoring in Binggrae Banana Milk is not as pronounced as say, the nose-pinching scents of yellow Juicy Fruit gum. While I doubt there’s real banana in Binggrae Banana Milk, it gives banana the way you can tell if a smoothie has banana in it.
Needless to say, I downed that stuff as a kid. It’s a fantastic, sugary pick-me-up that lots of Koreans pick up from grocery stores to drink for breakfast.
Binggrae Banana Milk stood out from the pack because it was packaged in a cylindrical see-through plastic carton, with a wide middle part.
I guess Binggrae knows how iconic the banana milk container is, because the imported boxed cartons actually have an image of the OG container on them (banana milk inception!).
Where to buy it: Binggrae Banana Flavored Milk [Korea’s No 1 Classic & Original Banana Milk], Pack of 6 ($14.99)
15. Binggrae Strawberry Milk (딸기우유)
Binggrae also has a sister version of their banana milk, in the form of Binggrae Strawberry Milk.
First of all, I was always obsessed with the pinky color of the strawberry milk. Most of the time, that was the reason why I bought Binggrae Strawberry Milk.
Although it’s not quite as epic as Binggrae Banana Milk, It tastes delicious and it’s definitely harder to get sick of.
Where to buy it: Binggrae Strawberry Flavored Milk, Pack of 6 ($12.99)
16. Miero Fiber (미에로 화이바)
Like Calorie Balance, Miero Fiber used to also have a skinny lady on it’s packaging 🙈 We see it’s gone now!
It’s hard to describe the flavor of this drink, which is marketed as helping you get slimmer / a “healthy” option. I guess it gives summer-blue soda (though the drink is clearly orange).
This stuff is so good!
I was just disappointed that it was no longer in smaller glass bottles, which I swear keeps the drink colder and the fizz tighter than in plastic!
17. Haitai Matdongsan Peanut Crunch Snack (맛동산)
This OG snack first came out in 1975. It’s the Korean snackified version of the traditional Japanese snack karintō.
Matdongsan are basically a chewy, donuty sticks sprinkled with peanuts and glazed to perfection.
My favorite part of the Matdongsan experience is honestly the packaging. It’s so tastefully retro.
I used to not enjoy it as much as a kid, but now it’s one of my favorite Korean convenience store snacks ever!
Where to buy it: Haitai Matdongsan Peanut Crunch Snack, 10.58 Oz ($12.15)
18. Lotte Sand Pineapple Flavor (롯샌)
I’m typically not a huge sucker for pineapple flavored things, but the Lotte Sand is a major exception! It’s one of the first things I gravitate toward when I hit the convenience store after landing in Korea.
The pineapple flavor pops in your mouth and the blonde biscuit is just so much fun. If you like the sweet biscuit vibe, you’ll love these!
Where to buy it: Korean LOTTE SAND Pineapple Flavor 11.11 oz ($19.99)
Best Ice Cream at the Korean Convenience Store
19. Lotte Pig Bar Crunchy Ice Cream Bar (돼지바)
Ooooooh now the Pig Bar was my FAVE growing up. It basically tastes the same as the strawberry shortcake bars with crumbles that they sell on American ice cream trucks.
The crumbles are so chocolatey and the ice cream is lighter, with a sweet strawberry core. 100% recommend!
20. Binggrae Melona Honeydew Melon Bars (메로나)
A melon flavored ice cream bar?!? What the heck!
Yes, but it’s just thaat good.
It cools you down like no other when you’re exasperated from the humid Korean summers, cicadas beating down a beat way too loud.
21. Lotte Strawberry Popsicle Screw Bar (스크루바)
If you gravitate toward tangy sorbets, this is the popsicle for you! This was my bro’s favorite growing up.
The strawberry flavor is not overpowering and the popsicle tastes icy enough to satiate your thirst ASAP. The portion’s also pretty big for a Korean convenience store ice cream 😂
Best Korean Convenience Store Snacks at the Hot Bar
22. Odeng Fishcake (오뎅)
Seoul gets freezing: in January, the average low temperature is 18°F, or -8°C. On a cold day, one of the best snacks to warm you up is odeng, or Korean fishcake.
Odeng is served on skewers. But a huge part of the experience is the warm, fishy broth that’s served in a paper cup. The best part is, the broth is basically unlimited, and you can always ask for more.
Best Instant Noodles at the Korean Convenience Store
I didn’t need lip plumper as a kid; all I had to do was dump hot water in my Shin Bowl, eat it, and my lips would enlarge from the excoriating spiciness of the soup.
Koreans love spicy food and ramen is a staple in most homes. The cool thing about convenience stores is that they basically always have a hot water on tap, so you can make cup noodles on the spot.
Many convenience stores also have seating or at least a standing table so that you can eat in-place.
23. Shin Ramen (신라면)
Shin Ramen is the Korean staple ramen. There’s really no replacement for it. It’s very spicy, so beware! What makes it so unique is the ramen soup seasoning.
If you make it at home, put less water than the instructions ask for, and cook the noodles “al dente” (yup, you heard it here: al dente applies to instant noodles, too!).
For the most authentic Korean experience, get the cup noodle version and eat it on the spot!
Where to buy it: Nongshim Gourmet Spicy Shin Instant Ramen Noodle, 16 Pack ($17.96)
24. Jin Ramen (진라면)
The second most well-known ramen is Jin Ramen. If you’re not great with spicy food, the Mild Jin Ramen is a great alternative.
Where to buy it: OTTOGI Jin Ramen Mild Flavor, Pack of 18 ($32.99)
25. Neoguri (너구리)
While Shin Ramen is a classic, my current most favorite ramen is Neoguri. I love it because the noodles are thicker and chewier, and the soup is spicy but not quite as intense as Shin Ramen.
If Shin Ramen is the standard-bearer, Neoguri is the slightly elevated, lighter instant noodle brand.
Where to buy it: Nongshim Neoguri Spicy Seafood Ramen Noodle Soup, 10 Pack ($11.23)
26. Chapagetti (짜파게티)
The way there’s Chinese American food in the US, there’s Chinese Korean food that’s super popular in Korea. One of the main Chinese fusion dishes in Korea is jja-jang-myeon, or black bean noodles. Chapagetti is the instant noodle version of these black bean noodles.
I loveeeee Chapagetti. The first few bites, especially, are sooooo satisfying. Jja-jang-myeon is a dry noodle and not meant to be served in a broth, and so is Chapagetti. Remember to completely drain your noodles before you mix in the sauce packet!
Where to buy it: Nongshim Chapagetti Chajang Noodle, Pack of 10 ($24.99)
Best Korean Convenience Store Snacks (Conclusion)
You’re sure to find a punch of colors and a variety of flavors at Korean convenient stores.
Pick your own journey at the Korean convenience store: maybe you’re in for a nibble and grab salty snacks like Ppushu Ppushu, or stick with crowd favorites like Saeukkang.
- Ottogi Ppushu Ppushu (뿌셔뿌셔)
- Orion Marine Boy Koraebab (고래밥)
- Orion O! Karto Original (오감자)
- Kkokkal Corn (꼬깔콘)
- Nongshim Saeukkang Shrimp Chips (새우깡)
- Nongshim Jagalchi Octopus Flavoured Snack (자갈치)
- Gamjakkang (감자깡)
- Onion Rings (양파링)
- Orion Gosomi Sweet & Salty Biscuits (고소미)
- Haitai Calorie Balance Shortbread
- Yakgwa Cookie (약과)
- Jolly Pong (죠리퐁)
- Samgak Kimbap (삼각김밥)
- Binggrae Banana Milk (바나나우유)
- Binggrae Strawberry Milk (딸기우유)
- Miero Fiber (미에로 화이바)
- Haitai Matdongsan Peanut Crunch Snack (맛동산)
- Lotte Sand Pineapple Flavor (롯샌)
- Lotte Pig Bar Crunchy Ice Cream Bar (돼지바)
- Binggrae Melona Honeydew Melon Bars (메로나)
- Lotte Strawberry Popsicle Screw Bar (스크루바)
- Odeng Fishcake (오뎅)
- Shin Ramen (신라면)
- Jin Ramen (진라면)
- Neoguri (너구리)
- Chapagetti (짜파게티)
Maybe you’re grabbing breakfast on the go and need a meal replacement. If that’s the case, a samgak kimbap and Binggrae banana milk will do the trick.
Got the late night munchies? Try the hot foods like odeng and instant noodles.
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