Can you heat up convenience store food right there in the store?

At many Korean convenience stores, you can buy a lunch box or cup noodles and heat them up right there. This is because a lot of stores have self-service microwaves and hot water dispensers.

How does it work?

The microwave is usually self-service — you operate it yourself. For cup noodles, you fill them with hot water from the dispenser. For lunch boxes or instant rice, you heat them in the microwave.

What should you watch out for?

Every packaged item has instructions printed on it about whether it's microwave-safe and how to heat it. Follow the time and method printed on the container to heat it properly. Some containers are not meant for the microwave at all, so check first.

What if you're still not sure?

1. Read the cooking instructions on the packaging first.
2. Ask the staff when you check out if you're unsure how to use it.
3. Check whether the store has seating, since not all of them do.

Not every store is the same — some may not have a microwave or seating, so keep that in mind.