CU/GS25 Convenience Store Meal Set (편의점 라면 세트)
Why this food?
This isn't just a meal—it's a K-culture moment. The CU/GS25 convenience store combo is what Korean students eat at 2 AM while cramming for exams, what K-drama characters grab between scenes, and what every Korean abroad desperately misses. Master this trifecta and you're eating like a true Korean.
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
Korean convenience stores generate over $30 billion annually, with ramen combos being the #1 impulse purchase. The triangle kimbap was invented specifically for convenience stores in the 1980s and is now consumed over 2 billion times per year in Korea. This meal represents the democratization of Korean food—elevated, accessible, and iconic.
Related Videos & Articles
Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Cup Ramen / Instant Cup Noodles 컵라면 | Maruchan Instant Lunch Cup Ramen or Nissin Top Ramen Maruchan or Nissin Maruchan Chicken or Beef flavors are closest to Korean convenience store brands. You can also use regular instant ramen packets (like Top Ramen) in a bowl. Shop at Walmart |
Triangle Kimbap (Korean Rice Triangle) 삼각김밥 | Nasoya Organic Rice Wraps or Seaweed Snacks + sushi rice Nasoya or Yaki Sushi Nori For authentic triangle shape: fill nori with seasoned rice, cucumber, pickled radish, and a piece of spam or canned tuna. Wrap into triangle. Pre-made sushi rolls from Walmart deli case work in a pinch. Shop at Walmart |
Fish Cake Skewer (Eomuk) 어묵 | Surimi Fish Cake Sticks or Imitation Crab Sticks SeaPak or store brand Heat in microwave for 30 seconds or dip briefly in hot ramen broth. You can also find 'fish cake' in Asian sections. Imitation crab sticks are a direct substitute. Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
Your Shopping List
Walmart edition
- 1 cup (any flavor) Maruchan Instant Lunch Cup Ramen or Nissin Top Ramen
- 1 sheet nori with 1 cup cooked sushi rice Nasoya Organic Rice Wraps or Seaweed Snacks + sushi rice
- 2-3 sticks Surimi Fish Cake Sticks or Imitation Crab Sticks
Instructions
- 1
Step 1: Fill a kettle or pot with 2 cups of water and bring to a rolling boil. While waiting, arrange your triangle kimbap and fish cake skewer on a small plate.
- 2
Step 2: Once boiling, carefully pour the hot water into your cup ramen, filling it to the line marked inside. If using instant ramen packets, break the noodles and place in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water, and microwave for 3 minutes.
- 3
Step 3: Let the ramen steep for exactly 3 minutes—this is crucial for proper noodle texture. Meanwhile, unwrap the triangle kimbap and fish cake skewer.
- 4
Step 4: After 3 minutes, stir the ramen well and taste-test a noodle. Add the included flavor packet and stir until fully dissolved and noodles are tender.
- 5
Step 5: Arrange everything on your plate or small table: steaming cup of ramen, triangle kimbap (you can eat it as-is or unwrap for easier handling), and fish cake skewer. Eat the ramen first while hot, then enjoy the kimbap and fish cake as palate cleansers between slurps.
