Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Steelrails]

They're all the same, yet they are each subtly different. While you'll find your booze and snacks in each one, there can be subtle differences. Maybe one carries Guinness but another does not. Maybe one has better microwave snacks or better food on the heater rack. Maybe one is a mom and pop place that has something special and now is the chance to drum them up some business.

Vote for your favorite Mart. Make your voice heard.

I for one will always hold the Mini Stop in high regard. They have those heater things of Fried Chicken. After a 48 hour fast and trip to the hospital they looked and tasted oh so bad but oh so good. I bet that was their strategy- get the fresh out of the hospital no food for 24-48 hours crowd.

[eamo]

It's my unscientific opinion that GS25 (LG25 for you oldschool types) has the freshest, in a very broad sense of the word, sandwiches and sam-ga kimbap. So they get my vote.

Rarely a bountiful selection, though........

The worst I've been in was called Waystop. I don't know how widespread they are but the one near me has serious stock problems. Half the snack shelves are constantly empty.

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

My favorite mart? Well, it starts with a "W" and they don't have a location in Korea.

[johnnyrook]

I'm a fan of Buy the Way. Love that there's this business here that has a witty play on English words and most Koreans don't even realise it. A few of my Korean friends who are quite fluent in English and use the phrase "by the way" comfortably in their speech couldn't pick up on it until I pointed it out to them. They assumed "buy the way" had some sort of literal significance distinctive from the idiom.

Unfortunately my favourite Buy the Way was re-branded as a 7eleven late last year.

[DorkothyParker]

Slightly OT, I too have noticed a HUGE influx of 7-11s in the past couple months. Three have opened within a block radius from my apartment and many stores that were Family Marts or even just small general hotel marts have become 7-11s. Is this happening everywhere or just on Jeju?

[NohopeSeriously]

[tefain]

[interestedinhanguk]

By the way, the Buy The Way nearby the way to my work turned into a 7-11, also.

[southernman]

I'll go for buy the way, as well.

Mainly because its the closest to my apartment for the late night neccessities. But also because they are very welcoming and seem to think it's as funny as I do when I take in my change to buy stuff.

[OlBrownEyes]

I have a soft spot for GS-25.

[PeteJB]

GS-25, mainly because the staff are cuter in the one I shop at.

[Underwaterbob]

Kosa Mart for sentimental reasons. Family Mart for practical reasons and beer variety (is there a difference?)

[oldtactics]

I loved Mini Stop back when they had those amazing ball kimbaps, but they seem to be gone now. Family Mart then, I suppose. Better booze selection.

[UknowsI]

My local GS25 turned into a Buy the Way. At first I liked the new Buy the Way because of the novelty of the new items and because they had quite good wrap tortillas. Two weeks later the wrap tortillas disappeared and soon I started to miss GS25.

[Louis VI]

The local mom and pop store.

Avoid the chains with their excessive lighting and higher prices.