[Review] Convenience Store Meal Replacements: Unpacking Ultra Cost-Effective Ready Meals

Convenience Store Industry Unveils Successive Cost-Effective Ready Meals

Samgyetang 17,038 won, Naengmyeon 11,923 won, Bibimbap 10,962 won, Kalguksu 9,308 won, Kimchi Jjigae 8,192 won….

The prices listed above are the average dining-out prices by item in the Seoul area last month, as disclosed by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It is not surprising that people say it is difficult to have a meal with just a 10,000 won bill.

The prepared appearance of CU convenience store's 'Amazing Cupbap Chicken Mayo.'
[Photo by Lee Myunghwan]

In this high inflation situation, convenience stores have long emerged as ‘cost-effective (price-performance) eateries’ for a meal. In major office-dense areas in the city center, it is easy to see office workers having lunch with convenience store dosirak (lunch boxes), and some convenience stores have significantly expanded in-store dining spaces targeting these customers.

According to convenience store CU on the 20th, the sales proportion of cost-effective dosirak priced under 5,000 won has consistently remained in the 20% range since 2020. In May of this year, this proportion increased to 30.2%. This is the first time in five years since 2019 (31.8%) that it has exceeded 30% again.

As ready-to-eat meals gained popularity, convenience stores recently launched a series of ready meals that simultaneously improved the quality of products like dosirak while setting reasonable prices. CU started selling the 3,900 won uniform-priced “Amazing Cupbap” from mid-month, and GS25 also introduced high-quality, cost-effective ready meals such as the Kim Hye-ja Dosirak and One Meal Revolution series.

We obtained and personally tasted some products from these ready meal series. The ready meals sampled by the reporter were CU’s “Amazing Cupbap Chicken Mayo” (3,900 won) and GS25’s “One Meal Revolution Juicy Meat-filled Bulgogi Burger” (3,000 won). Both products are priced in the 3,000 won range, which is among the lower price points for meal replacement ready meals sold at convenience stores.

The prepared appearance of CU convenience store's 'Amazing Cupbap Chicken Mayo.'
[Photo by Lee Myunghwan]

Although the prices were low, the composition and taste were satisfying. First, the Amazing Cupbap Chicken Mayo came in a paper cup with chicken mayo rice bowl packed inside, and due to the refrigerated distribution nature of convenience store ready meals, it was prepared by microwave heating. The cup prominently displayed the price, and a disposable spoon was included. Even from the outside, the amount of chicken placed on the rice looked generous. The preparation method was simple: open the lid and microwave for 2 minutes, then it was ready to eat. After heating, the cupbap combined rice, egg garnish, and soy mayo sauce, making it very similar to chicken mayo rice bowls sold at specialized lunch box shops. The amount of rice was ample, and finishing the bowl felt filling. However, due to being a pre-made refrigerated product, the chicken had a slightly soggy texture.

The One Meal Revolution Bulgogi Burger was also packed with contents that belied its price. As emphasized on the packaging, the thickness of the pork bulgogi patty was noticeable. The product weighed 177g, similar to bulgogi burgers from fast-food chains. Even considering it was a convenience store product, the taste was not much different from ready-made products. Given that the price of a single bulgogi burger at famous fast-food chains is 3,400 won and 4,700 won respectively, this product was up to 35% cheaper.

GS25's 'One Meal Revolution Juicy Meat-filled Bulgogi Burger'.
Photo by Lee Myunghwan

Convenience stores plan to expand these high-quality, cost-effective ready meals. CU has released not only chicken mayo but also tuna mayo, spam mayo, pork cutlet, and spicy pork cupbap simultaneously, and plans to sequentially launch 10 types of ready meals priced around 4,000 won, including cup dishes, by next month. GS25 is also continuously releasing new One Meal Revolution ready meals such as “See-through Jumeokbap” (rice balls). Seven Eleven has launched the “Good Series” focusing on daily necessities and is releasing refrigerated foods such as chicken breast and frankfurters.