"Must Eat K-Food"... CU Opens Convenience Store Specialized for Foreigners in Myeongdong

Dedicated Display for Signature Products like Baek Jong-won's Ready Meals and Yonsei Cream Bread
Foreign Language Information and Currency Exchange Kiosk Included

CU, a convenience store operated by BGF Retail, announced on the 26th that it has opened a 'K-Food Specialized Convenience Store (CU Myeongdong Station Branch)' targeting foreign tourists in Myeongdong, Seoul.

Since last year, CU has been opening various specialized convenience stores such as ▲Ramen Library (CU Hongdae Sangsang Branch) ▲Snack Library (CU T2 Incheon Airport Transportation Center Branch) ▲Music Library (CU AK & Hongdae Branch).

BGF Retail's convenience store CU announced on the 26th that it has opened a 'K-Food Specialty Convenience Store (CU Myeongdong Station Branch)' targeting foreign tourists in Myeongdong, Seoul. Exterior of the K-Food Specialty Convenience Store. Provided by BGF Retail

As convenience stores have become a must-visit tourist spot among foreign tourists, CU explained that it prepared a specialized store in Myeongdong, where the proportion of tourists is high. CU Myeongdong Station Branch is located in front of Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station on Line 4, with an area of 142㎡ (about 43 pyeong), and the space is organized under the theme of a 'Product Specialization Platform.'

The front of the store is decorated focusing on K-Food that foreigners must try. Representative displays include the Baek Jong-won series of ready meals, a dessert display featuring Matpolly’s Chestnut Tiramisu and Yonsei Cream Bread series, and a banana milk display popular among foreign tourists.

Additionally, one wall features a ramen display with 40 types of Korea’s representative ramen and a tasting stand shaped like a cup ramen, creating a K-Ramen specialized zone. Three instant ramen cookers are installed for direct experience. Behind the ramen display, a 'Ramen Archive' has been created.

In the general display shelves inside the store, about 200 types of snacks, health foods, and beauty products are gathered and displayed. In line with being a convenience store specialized for foreign tourists, show cards in four languages?Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese?along with English band labels and instructions for using fixtures are placed throughout the store to enhance usability.

Moreover, a Namane Card kiosk, a prepaid card for foreign tourists to use financial services in Korea, and a foreign currency exchange kiosk have been installed.

Hwang Hwan-jo, Head of Sales Development Division at BGF Retail, said, "Recently, content about Korean convenience stores has been actively shared among foreigners, making them a must-visit tourist course. CU will continue to strive to provide special and enjoyable experiences to domestic and international customers through differentiated stores that embody Korea’s charm and individuality."

Meanwhile, the Ramen Library, first introduced at CU Hongdae Sangsang Branch, will expand nationwide beyond Seoul and the metropolitan area from the second half of this year, currently increasing to a total of 26 stores. The Music Library (CU AK & Hongdae Branch), opened last month, saw customers lining up over 100 meters around the store an hour before the start of K-pop album sales on the first day, and the prepared 3,500 albums sold out within three hours, setting a record.

BGF Retail's convenience store CU announced on the 26th that it has opened a 'K-Food Specialty Convenience Store (CU Myeongdong Station Branch)' targeting foreign tourists in Myeongdong, Seoul. Interior view of the store. Photo by BGF Retail

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.