Yes, Seoul is definitely a big hub for spicy noodles, minimalist cafes and quirky restaurants full of dishes that are to-die-for. However, these yummy plates might not be the most cost-effective – plus if cafes are popular, you might need to wait in line for a really long time before you even get a whiff of your food.

Not to fear – South Korea has an abundance of convenience stores that will satisfy your food cravings. Tteokbokki? Check. Ramen? Yup. Fun, quirky ice creams and snacks? Definitely. Check out this guide to see to get on your next convenience store raid in South Korea!

Photo Credit: Instagram

BAKED EGGS

Probably the most versatile item on this list, Baked Eggs are a must-get on your convenience store raids in Korea. They are a great light breakfast in the morning or can go with any home-cooked meals such as ramen or kimchi fried rice.

What we love is how they’re like wobblier ramen eggs with that nice ooey-gooey yolk that’s super satisfying to eat.

Photo Credit: Instagram

BONG BONG

You may recognize this iconic white grape drink by its cute name and packaging. Well-loved for its sweet and refreshing flavour with crunchy aloe bits, Bong Bong is super kid-friendly and an all-round delicious drink.

However, did you know they have an ice cream version? Like a frozen can of Bong Bong, this icy treat is perfect for the summer!

Photo Credit: Instagram

BUNGEO BBANG – CARP/FISH BUN

This fish-shaped bread is an iconic street food in South Korea but you can also get these carp buns in any nearby convenience stores! These fun little morsels can be filled with all sorts of yummy fillings – think ice cream, red bean and chocolate!

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CHOCOPIE

One of South Korea’s favourite chocolate snacks has to be Chocopie. This chocolate covered whoopie-pie dessert is traditionally filled with fluffy marshmallow. However, you may be able to chance upon some fun flavours they have such as banana or strawberry jam.

CUP COFFEE

We don’t really know how Korean convenience store coffees are so good, but we aren’t complaining. They have all sorts of brews from Machiattos to Mochas and Nitro Cold Brews. They’re a great way to start your morning or a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon.

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CUP RAMEN

This item needs no introduction as it appears everywhere – be it in Korean dramas or variety shows. Our favourites are the Samyang Spicy Chicken Noodles Carbo Version, Shin Ramen Black and the classic Shin Ramen. People buy cartons of these back home and it isn’t hard to understand why the moment you taste its addictive soup and chewy noodles!

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DOSIRAK – KOREAN BENTO BOXES

Feeling famished? Pick up one of these Korean Bento Boxes known as “Dosirak”. They’ll contain a bunch of traditional Korean side dishes (banchan), some meat, and rice or noodles. The possibilities are endless with this box.

A big plus is that they’re super affordable, so if your wallet’s feeling a bit lighter than you’d like, head to your nearest mart and grab one of these microwaveable bentos!

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FLAVOURED ALMONDS

This is a familiar snack for many Korean snack lovers. What some don’t know is that the honey-butter almonds they know and love come in a myriad of different flavours as well. There’s Yogurt, Wasabi, Spicy Chicken, Cookies & Cream and even Tiramisu – there’s flavour for everyone.

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HOT BAR – SKEWERED MEATS

Hot Bars are simply different kinds of meat or pastes on a skewer that you can pop into a convenience store microwave to enjoy in a matter of seconds. These meats can range from cocktail sausages to crab sticks and spicy beef. They’re great on their own but they also pair really well with instant ramen!

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INSTANT BULGOGI

Korea is really good with their range of instant food so keep an eye out for their Instant Bulgogi. They come in pork, chicken and beef and usually come with a medley of veggies as well! It makes for a great meal if you pair it with some rice and soup!

Photo Credit: Instagram

INSTANT TTEOKBOKKI

If you can’t seem to find a place with affordable tteokbokki, you can always turn to the convenience stores that sell some you can microwave. They’re still quite delicious and tastes just like the real thing! They even have one that comes with cheese.

Photo Credit: Instagram

JOLLY PONG BUCKWHEAT CRISPS

If you’re looking for an alternative and more unconventional snack, Jolly Pong might be something you’d like! They’re buckwheat crisps and have a nice earthy smoky taste. They’re also extra crunchy, making them super satisfying to eat.

Photo Credit: Instagram

MELONA ICE CREAM

Despite its name, Melona doesn’t just have melon-flavoured popsicles. They come in a variety of vibrant fruit flavours such as peach, banana, strawberry and coconut. These summery fruit popsicles are popular all-year-round and are a must-get when in Seoul!

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SAMGAK KIMBAP

“Samgak” means triangle so these are essentially triangle-shaped Korean rice rolls. These little packs are perfect for a quick meal on-the-go. It’s fun to scan the shelves to see what flavours of kimbap they have – luncheon meat, pork floss, spicy chicken and even cheese!

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SUNBAEK UYU MILK BUN

This famous snow-white bun is highly-raved about for its fluffy texture and super delicious and milky filling, hence the name Milk Bun. Pro Tip: If you put these in the fridge before eating, it’s like eating a bun filled with vanilla ice-cream!

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SAMYANG SPICY CHICKEN GYOZA

You’ve heard of the ultra spicy noodle challenge, now try the dumpling spin-off! Don’t be fooled by its tame exterior for each dumpling skin hides a fiery spice that will leave you either running far away or craving for more! It also comes in the Carbo version (less spicy and cheesier).

Photo Credit: Instagram

WATERMELON “SUBAK” BAR

Cutely shaped and coloured to look like a slice of watermelon, the “Subak Bar” is the most perfect summer ice cream to hold around. You’ll see students hold this rather instagrammable bar of ice cream outside convenience stores, snapping pictures of themselves with this icy treat!

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YOGURT JELLY/GUMMIES

Yogurt snacks are the Korean equivalent to the love for all things melon-flavoured in Japan. Try these addictive Yogurt Jellies that taste similar to Yakult or Vitagen in a chewy gummy! They’re strangely delicious and before you know it, you’ll be finishing your packet.

Photo Credit: Instagram

YOGURT MOCHI

To conclude our list, you have to try this Yogurt Mochi. These sweet puffs are super-bouncy and chewy mochi filled with a yogurt-flavoured cream inside. They’re super satisfying to chew and pull apart to eat, with a sweet milky flavour!

South Korea is a haven for all things delicious. And when you think of Seoul, other than shopping, food will immediately pop into your mind! From bubbling pots of army stew to the ever-changing street food stalls and the well-loved bibimbap, Seoul has it all covered.

Other than the savoury, spicy dishes that Seoul is well-known for, the city is also bursting with hidden dessert spots waiting to be uncovered! Here’s a list of some must-try sweet treats when you’re in the land of BTS and Blackpink. Damn, life’s good when you have a sweet tooth!

BACKEN

Located on the edge of the Sinsa-dong and Garosu-gil area in Seoul, Backen is a cosy, industrial-themed coffee shop. Their rustic interior is further emphasized by their freshly-baked pastries displayed openly on trays.

Try the Raspberry Cream Bun that comes with a coating of chocolate and cookie crumbles. Hidden inside is a light and airy raspberry whipped cream filling that’s sweet and provides a nice contrast to the bun and chocolate!

528-3 Sinsa-dong
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Sinsa, Exit 8

CACAODADA

One of the few bean-to-bar chocolate cafes in Seoul, Cacaodada makes all their chocolate from scratch and have a menu dedicated to showcasing their unique creations. It requires a bit of effort to locate in the cafe-filled Mangwon-dong area, but it’s worth the walk!

Give their Chocolate Affogato a try – vanilla bean ice cream is topped off with a freshly-baked cookie. Drizzle their house-made chocolate sauce over it to complete the most decadent chocolate dessert in Seoul. Grab some of their single-origin chocolate if you’re a chocolate lover!

15 Huiujeong-ro 10-gil
Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Nearest Station: Mangwon

CARIN LOUNGE

One of the most instagrammable cafes in Seoul would have to be Carin Lounge. Decked in all-pink and rose gold decor, the cafe is an Instagrammer’s haven. Their pastries are also incredibly beautiful and delicious!

If you’re a fan of mousse cakes, try the Espresso Banana Cake! Coffee-infused mousse envelopes a creamy banana filling atop a crisp tart shell. The pairing of banana and coffee was a match made in heaven.

7 Hongik-ro 2-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Hongdae

DESSERT LAB

Specializing in quirky cakes and pastries is Dessert Lab. They have two outlets in two hip areas of Seoul – Hongdae and Myeongdong. The interior is also rather instagrammable; they have neon lights, dried flowers and have minimalistic decor.

For a bit of a mind-boggle, their Peach cake is actually a raspberry cheesecake! Vanilla mousse is paired with a sweet raspberry jelly filling and oreo crumbles are sprinkled around this petite peach dessert!

332-32 Seogyo-dong
Mapo-gu, Seoul
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Hongdae

55-16 Myeong-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

IKSEON-GORO

One of the prettiest ice cream swirls in Seoul has to be the Purple Berry Softserve in the hipster village, Ikseondong. This quaint hanok-house village was refurbished to house several interesting retail stores, cafes and eateries. All are equally interesting and insta-photo-worthy!

This 2500KRW softserve has a sweet berry-like taste and is super creamy. It’s the perfect icy dessert for the scorching summer heat in Korea!

166-34 Ikseon-dong
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Jongno-3(sam)-ga, Exit 4

OSULLOC

This famous tea-centric cafe in Seoul has several outlets, originating from Jeju as a tea plantation! Specializing in all-things-tea, Osulloc’s offerings include delicious tea-infused cakes, drinks and chocolate bars.

We like their roll cakes, especially their Hojicha (roasted green tea) roll cake! They’re soft, fluffy and filled with tea-infused cream. Try their Double Matcha Cheesecake too – it consists of matcha sponge, a baked green tea cheesecake layer and a soft cream cheese layer.

Osulloc has several outlets. Check out the full list here.

PAULIN PANCAKE

If you’re a fan of fluffy, cloud-like souffle pancakes, Paulin Pancake at Honggik University will be a must-visit for you when you’re in Seoul. Paulin is a minimalistic cafe that specializes in souffle pancakes.

Their Earl Grey Pool Pancake was to-die-for. Two large souffle pancakes sit in a mildly sweet earl-grey cream sauce and are accompanied with spiced cinnamon apple chunks, crumble and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It’s an indulgent afternoon treat fit for any tummy!

Wausan-ro 29ga-gil, 862F
Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong, Seoul
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Honggik University

SEOUL COFFEE

This Instagram-famous hanok-house cafe is appearing everywhere on everyone’s Seoul travel feeds. Serving thick slabs of butter in fluffy bread, whipped cream coffee and several ice cream desserts and tiramisus, Seoul Coffee is a great place to relax and unwind in the Ikseondong area.

Their Vienna Coffee comes with whipped sweet cream on top and is a must-try! Their matcha tiramisu and charcoal bread with butter are quite delicious as well. Do go slightly earlier than they open because there will definitely be queues to go in!

33-3 Supyo-ro 28-gil
Jongno 3(sam)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Jongno 3(sam)-ga, Exit 4

SOBOK

Fans of the pretty ice cream desserts from Sobok in Hongdae were disappointed by their closure but thankfully, Sobok has a small shop at Incheon Airport’s Dessert Hall. They specialize in more traditional Korean-flavoured desserts.

Try their signature Sobok Ice Cream that features a roasted grain-flavoured soft-serve, complete with a bean paste-covered rice cake and candied fruits and nuts. It’s a unique dessert you can only find in Korea!

Incheon International Airport
West of Public Area 4F, Terminal 1
Daily: 6am – 10pm

MIL TOAST HOUSE

Hands-down the best french toast in Seoul is from Toast House in Ikseondong. This cosy cafe has no signboard but has a distinctive toast logo on the outside of the wood-themed shop.

The toast here is steamed fresh to order – these fluffy buns are so addictive. The Blueberry Cream Cheese Toast was one of the best desserts we’ve ever had in Seoul. Drenched in sweet syrup, a burnt sugar top and paired with a block of cream cheese and blueberry compote, it was a super satisfying plate.

30-3 Supyo-ro 28-gil
Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Jongno-3(sam)-ga, Exit 4

ZAPANGI

One of the more creatively-hidden cafes in the hipster alleys of Mangwon-dong, Zapangi’s entrance is an iconic pink vending machine. The cafe is minimalistic and serves up some seriously Instagrammable desserts.

Their menu consists of sweet treats, including tin cakes and doughnuts, and beverages, all costing no more than 10,000 won. We suggest you order a cup of their signature milk tea to go with their insanely cute cakes and doughnuts!

400-2 Mangwon-dong
Mapo-gu, Seoul
Daily: 10am -11pm
Nearest Station: Mangwon