A Peek into the World’s Leading Online Shopping Culture!

How do Koreans shop for groceries?

The answer lies in online grocery shopping.

Like many, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I didn’t visit large supermarkets or department stores instead, I relied entirely on online shopping to have essential goods and groceries delivered, making it through the pandemic with contactless consumption. This habit has continued to this day.

The success of Korea’s online shopping platforms can be attributed to two key factors

1. The efficient, fast logistics systems available nationwide.

2. Korean consumers’ preference for mobile-based shopping, as they’re highly accustomed to mobile usage.

Now, let’s take a look at the popular online shopping platforms Koreans use.

1. Coupang: The Leader in Rocket Delivery and Overnight Delivery

“Practically everyone uses it.”

As of 2024, Coupang has 22.5 million “active customers,” meaning nearly half of South Korea’s population purchases daily necessities through Coupang. Coupang operates a network of advanced logistics centers nationwide through its in-house logistics system, a major advantage for consumers who want fast delivery.

Its flagship services include “Rocket Delivery” and “Rocket Fresh”

• Rocket Delivery: If you order daily necessities today, they’re guaranteed to arrive “tomorrow.”

• Rocket Fresh: For fresh produce, if ordered before midnight, the delivery will be made “by early morning” the next day.

Once the item arrives at the doorstep, a delivery notification, along with a photo of the package, is sent to the customer. How convenient is that? Coupang plays a big role in the everyday life of many Koreans.

2. Emart (SSG)

South Korea has three major retail corporations: Shinsegae, Lotte, and Hyundai. Emart is part of the Shinsegae Group and utilizes the group’s extensive distribution network for its logistics. Emart also offers same-day and early-morning delivery services, though it operates in close connection with the Shinsegae Group’s offline assets.

3. Homeplus

With over 400 locations across Seoul and the metropolitan area, Homeplus offers a fast delivery service for fresh produce. Unlike other platforms, Homeplus’s app distinguishes between “direct-to-home delivery” and “express delivery.” With express delivery, products are generally delivered within 2–3 hours. Homeplus is also known for offering various discount benefits.

4. Baemin (Baedal Minjok)

Baedal Minjok, or “Baemin,” is the most popular food delivery app in Korea.

The in-app B Mart offers fast delivery, catering specifically to small mart and convenience store items.

Let’s read other blog posts together!

Learn These Abbreviations to Keep Up with Korean Internet Slang Top 10!

What are Koreans’ favorite snacks, ramen, and beer?

Top-selling Korean snacks in Korea in 2023

1st place: Saewookkang (새우깡)

2nd place: Poka Chips (포카칩)

3rd place: Pringles (프링글스)

4th place: Kkokkal Corn (꼬깔콘)

5th place: Squid Peanut (오징어 땅콩)

Saewookkang are undoubtedly the top seller. Saewookkang are a snack loved by people of all ages, from children to adults, regardless of gender. One notable feature is that they are often served as a complimentary snack in karaoke rooms. They are also known as ‘karaoke Saewookkang’ due to their large-sized packaging.”

Korean Biscuit Ranking

1st place: Home Run Ball (홈런볼)

2nd place: Ace (에이스)

3rd place: Oreo (오레오)

4th place: Margaret Cookies (마가렛트)

5th place: Premonition (예감)

Koreans are unlikely to dislike Homerun Ball. Before you know it, they’re gone! You have to buy at least two packs.

Ace is best friends with Korea’s mixed coffee. If you don’t know this combination, you’re not Korean. Korean mixed coffee has been highly praised by famous baristas abroad. When you come to Korea, be sure to try mixed coffee and Ace together. The harmony of sweetness and saltiness is amazing!

Korean Ice Cream Ranking

1st place: World Cone (월드콘)

2nd place: Tteokbungeobbang (떡붕어싸만코)

3rd place: Melona (메로나)

4th place: Together (투게더)

5th place: Bbongbarae (빵빠레)

A crispy ice cream cone filled with rich vanilla! It’s an unbeatable combination. The World Cone ranks number one in ice cream. And hidden at the bottom of the ice cream cone is a thick layer of chocolate.

Korean Soju Ranking

1st place: Chamisul (참이슬)

2nd place: Cheoeum Cheoreom (처음처럼)

3rd place: Jinro (진로)

4th place: Good Day (좋은데이)

5th place: Delicious Cham (Geumbokju) (맛있는 참)

Chamisul, the original soju, is indeed the undisputed number one. The love Koreans have for soju knows no bounds. Do you know what the initial alcohol content of soju was? When soju Jinro was first released, its alcohol content was 35%. By 1965, it had decreased to 30%, then to 25% in 1974, and now it’s at 16.5%. Thanks to this decrease (?) in alcohol content, Koreans are consuming even more soju.

Korean Beer Ranking

1st place: OB Cass (오비 카스)

2nd place: Terra (테라)

3rd place: Filite (필라이트)

4th place: Asahi (아사히)

5th place: Kelly (켈리)

In 2023, Asahi Dry beer was particularly popular in Korea. However, despite this, the domestic beer OB Cass took the number one spot in beer rankings. Terra is a beer that is a must when making ‘bomb’ drinks with soju. It’s a combination of Cham Terra (Chamisul soju+Terra beer). If you don’t like the strong taste of soju, try mixing it with beer. Many Koreans enjoy the smooth taste of the combination of soju and beer.

Korean Ramen Ranking

1st place: Shin Ramyun (신라면)

2nd place: Jjapaghetti (짜파게티)

3rd place: Jin Ramen (진라면)

4th place: Buldak Bokkeum Myeon (불닭볶음면)

5th place: Yukgaejang (육개장)

Koreans also prefer spicy ramen. It seems like Shin Ramyun has been the top choice in the ramen rankings every year. In 2023, once again, Shin Ramyun was the unrivaled leader in the ramen industry. Coming in second is Jjapaghetti, loved by kids and adults alike. There are hardly any children who dislike Jjapaghetti. If you want to make Jjapaghetti a bit spicier, try boiling it with Buldak Bokkeumyeon. It turns into a Szechuan-style Jjajangmyeon

“If you have information about what foods the people of a country like, it would be really useful when traveling to that country. If you’re reading this blog and ever come to Korea, I hope you’ll definitely experience the products listed above.”