At eleven at night, people sit on chairs in front of the convenience store eating cup ramen. Some are wearing suits, and some are out walking their dogs. When you first see it, you wonder, "Why are they eating outside?" You start to wonder. ## Why do they eat outside instead of at home? It's because many people live alone. When I make a meal just for myself, even cleaning up afterward is a hassle. Convenience stores are close, cheap, and open until late at night. For someone who got off work late, it's the fastest dinner. Besides, my place is small, so the smell of ramen lingers for a long time. In Korea, I generally feel safe even sitting alone at night in front of a brightly lit convenience store. There are staff and CCTV too, so it puts my mind at ease. ## Why Do Convenience Stores Even Cook Ramen for You? The real reason is that convenience stores are now closer to a "neighborhood living room" than a shop. People who live alone in small homes need a place to sit and rest for a moment. Convenience stores know this, so they put out hot water, chairs, and tables. Then they even got machines that cook ramen for you. At convenience stores near Han River parks, ramen eaten in the river breeze is popular. ## Try it like this Buy a cup of instant noodles and pour hot water up to the inner line. If there's a machine, follow the instructions on the screen. After you finish eating, there's a separate place to dispose of the broth. Pour the broth into the sink and put your trash in the sorting bin. If you're not sure, just ask a staff member and they'll kindly help you.