Inside Korea’s Convenience Store Summer Menu: What’s New at GS25 and CU in 2026

Every summer, Korea’s convenience stores (편의점, pyeonuijeom, “convenience store”) turn into tiny culinary battlegrounds. The two biggest chains — GS25 and CU — race to drop limited-edition snacks, frosty drinks, and lunchboxes that go viral on Korean social media within hours. For food-curious international fans, this is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to taste what Korea is actually eating right now.

Let’s walk through the most talked-about 2026 summer items, decode their Korean names, and end with a quick “how to order” vocabulary sidebar so you can shop like a local.

Frozen drinks: the eternal summer king

Nothing beats the heat like a slushy, and the slushy machine drink is called 슬러시 (seulleosi) in Korean. In 2026, GS25 is pushing flavored varieties of its in-store frozen drink brink, while CU leans into fruit-forward options.

• 아이스 음료 (aiseu eumnyo) — “iced drink.” Look for the self-serve cups near the freezer.
• 스무디 (seumudi) — “smoothie,” often with real mango or strawberry chunks.
• 탄산음료 (tansan-eumnyo) — “carbonated drink,” for those who want fizz instead of slush.

A genuine 2026 trend is the collab drink — convenience stores partnering with popular cafe or dessert brands to launch a frozen version. Keep an eye out for cups labeled with a recognizable brand logo; they sell out fast.

Icy noodles and cold lunchboxes

Summer in Korea means cold noodles. The star is 물냉면 (mul-naengmyeon, “cold noodle soup”) and its spicy cousin 비빔냉면 (bibim-naengmyeon, “mixed cold noodles”). Both GS25 and CU sell chilled, ready-to-eat versions in the refrigerated aisle — just open and slurp.

Also trending heavily this year:

• 도시락 (dosirak) — “lunchbox.” Summer editions often feature lighter, cold-friendly ingredients.
• 김밥 (gimbap) — seaweed rice rolls, a grab-and-go classic that’s perfect for a picnic by the Han River.
• 냉모밀 (naeng-momil) — chilled buckwheat noodles served with dipping sauce, a refreshing 2026 favorite.

One tip: most convenience stores have a microwave (전자레인지, jeonjarenji) and a hot-water dispenser by the counter, but for cold items you simply peel and eat. Staff are used to tourists, so don’t worry about doing it “wrong.”

Viral desserts and ice cream

The dessert wars are where things get truly wild. Korean convenience stores treat 아이스크림 (aiseukeurim, “ice cream”) as a canvas for novelty flavors. This summer, expect collaborations with trendy snack brands and nostalgic flavors getting fresh remixes.

• 빙수 (bingsu) — shaved-ice dessert, now sold in convenient single-serve cups you finish in the store or take home.
• 젤리 (jelli) — chewy jelly snacks, often in mega-size pouches that became a TikTok sensation.
• 요거트 아이스크림 (yogeoteu aiseukeurim) — frozen yogurt cups marketed as the “lighter” treat.

A reliable rule of thumb: if you see a long line of teenagers crowded around one freezer, that’s the item of the week. Join them.

How the GS25 vs CU rivalry works

Both chains are nationwide, so you’ll never be far from one. They differ in personality:

• GS25 tends to win attention with bold drink innovations and frequent celebrity or brand tie-ins.
• CU is famous for its lunchboxes and for partnering with characters and webtoons that fans collect.

Many items are 1+1 (“one plus one,” buy one get one free) or 2+1 (buy two get one free). These deals are marked right on the shelf, and they’re a huge part of the fun — and the savings.

How to order: your convenience store vocabulary sidebar

You can survive almost entirely by pointing, but a few words make the experience smoother and friendlier.

• 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) — “This one, please.” Your most powerful phrase.
• 봉투 주세요 (bongtu juseyo) — “A bag, please.” (Bags usually cost a small fee.)
• 데워 주세요 (dewo juseyo) — “Please heat it up,” if you grab a hot item.
• 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) — “How much is it?”
• 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) — “Can I pay by card?” (Almost always yes.)
• 봉투 괜찮아요 (bongtu gwaenchanayo) — “No bag, it’s okay.”
• 맛있어요! (masisseoyo!) — “It’s delicious!” Say it after your first bite.

Make it part of your trip

Convenience store hopping is more than a snack run — it’s a snapshot of Korean daily life and seasonal taste. This summer, set a small challenge for yourself: try one new GS25 drink and one new CU dessert, and learn the Korean name of each. You’ll boost your vocabulary, taste what’s actually trending, and probably make a friend behind the counter along the way.

Ready to order with confidence? Keep practicing your Korean with uBitto, and turn every pyeonuijeom visit into a mini language lesson.

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