Best Korean Dried Squid Snacks at GS25 and CU Ranked

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The Late-Night Seoul Tradition You Need to Try

At 11:30 PM on a freezing Tuesday, my local GS25 convenience store in Mapo-gu glows like a beacon under the neon streetlights. I stepped inside, grabbed a ice-cold can of Cass beer, and walked straight to the back wall where rows of colorful bags hang from plastic pegs. This is the dried seafood section, a sacred corner of Korean convenience stores that most tourists pass right by without a second glance. If you want to drink like a true local, this is where the magic happens.

In South Korea, we have a specific word for food eaten alongside alcohol: anju. While fried chicken and belly pork get all the hype on social media, humble korean dried squid snacks are the actual unsung heroes of weeknight drinking. They are chewy, intensely savory, packed with natural umami, and surprisingly addictive once your palate adjusts to the seafood notes. Convenience store chains like GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven stock dozens of varieties ranging from tender butter-roasted strips to fire-spiced squid tentacles.

If you are curious about diving into this world but do not know which bag to grab first, here is my honest breakdown as someone who eats these snacks almost every single week after work.

Top Korean Dried Squid Snacks and Seafood Picks

1. Butter Grilled Shredded Squid (Butter Ojingeo Chae)

If you are completely new to dried seafood snacks, this is your safest and most delicious entry point. Butter Grilled Shredded Squid consists of thin, pliable strips of squid that have been sweetened, salted, and roasted in rich butter. You will find versions made by major brands like Lotte alongside store-brand private labels at CU and GS25.

Taste & Texture: The aroma hits you the second you tear open the foil packaging—it smells exactly like the movie theater popcorn stands in Seoul. The flavor starts sweet and buttery before ending with a deep, savory squid finish. Texture-wise, it is soft and pliable rather than leathery. You do not need strong teeth to enjoy this one.

Spice Level: Zero spice. It is completely mild, making it milder than even Jin Ramen Mild.

How Koreans Eat It: While you can eat it straight out of the bag at room temperature, locals know a quick trick: pop the squid strips onto a paper towel and microwave them for exactly 8 to 10 seconds. The heat renders the butter oils, softens the fibers, and elevates the savory flavor tenfold. Pair this with a light Korean lager.

2. Cheongyang Mayo Squid Strips

This product gained huge popularity across Seoul convenience stores over the past couple of years. It combines shredded dried squid with the iconic Korean flavor pairing of creamy mayonnaise and fiery Cheongyang green peppers (Korea’s local hot pepper staple).

Taste & Texture: The first bite gives you a salty-sweet seafood burst followed rapidly by a rich, fatty creaminess and a sharp, vegetal pepper kick. The squid itself is slightly drier than the butter version, giving it a satisfying chew that makes you want to reach for another strip immediately.

Spice Level: Medium kick. It is noticeably sharper than standard Shin Ramyun broth due to the fresh green pepper bite, but much milder than Buldak 2x Spicy. The fat from the mayonnaise balances out the heat nicely.

How Koreans Eat It: Many bags include a tiny side packet of dipping sauce inside, but if yours does not, make your own at home. Mix two tablespoons of Japanese or Korean mayonnaise, half a teaspoon of soy sauce, and a finely chopped fresh green jalapeño or serrano pepper. Dip the squid strips straight into the mixture for the ultimate late-night bite.

3. Spicy Grilled Squid Legs (Ojingeo Shot-Dari)

Known universally across Korea as “Shot-Dari” (literally meaning short legs), this bite-sized hard-dried squid snack has been a schoolyard and pub staple for decades. Made from thick squid tentacles cured in a sweet, spicy soy glaze, it comes in compact vacuum-sealed pouches at almost every 7-Eleven and CU branch in the country.

Taste & Texture: Be warned: this is a serious jaw workout. Shot-Dari is dense, tough, and extremely chewy. The flavor profile is intensely concentrated—smoky, salty, noticeably sweet, and packed with seafood depth.

Spice Level: Mild to Moderate. It features a gentle pepper warmth roughly equal to Jin Ramen Mild, designed to enhance the sweetness rather than burn your tongue.

How Koreans Eat It: Eating this straight out of the package will test your dental work. To make it tender, cut open the bag slightly and microwave it for 15 seconds. The squid legs puff up slightly and become wonderfully tender and pliable. It is the ultimate snack to slowly gnaw on while watching movies or soccer matches.

4. Roasted Dried Pollack Strips (Moktae / Hwangtae)

While technically dried fish rather than squid, no discussion of Korean convenience store seafood snacks is complete without mentioning dried pollack. Brands like Nongshim and various convenience store private labels have turned traditional dried pollack (Moktae) into one of the highest-selling snack categories in the nation.

Taste & Texture: Unlike chewy squid, dried pollack strips are airy, crispy, and flakey—almost like a high-protein, seafood-flavored potato chip. They are completely dry to the touch and dissolve pleasantly in your mouth with a clean, nutty toasted fish flavor.

Spice Level: Completely mild on its own, though seasoning packets included in the bag often feature garlic or mild chili powder blends.

How Koreans Eat It: This is the absolute king of beer snacks in Seoul pub culture right now. Koreans wash down handfuls of crispy pollack with ice-cold draft beer or Cass. It is light enough that you do not feel heavy before going to sleep.

Squid Snack Comparison Overview

Snack Name	Texture Profile	Best Beverage Pair
Butter Grilled Squid	Soft & Tender	Pilsner / Lager
Cheongyang Mayo Squid	Chewy & Moist	Soju / Cold Beer
Spicy Squid Legs (Shot-Dari)	Very Dense & Tough	Fizzy Korean Lager
Dried Pollack (Moktae)	Light & Crunchy	Draft Beer / Wheat Ale

Note: Packaging designs, seasonal limited flavors, and exact product lineups change frequently across Korean convenience store brands. Prices generally range between 3,000 won and 5,000 won per pouch depending on the weight and current promotions.

How to Get It Abroad

If you are outside South Korea and craving these authentic korean dried squid snacks, you do not need to book a flight to Incheon to taste them. Here is where you can reliably track them down:

• H Mart & Local Asian Supermarkets: Major North American and European Korean grocery chains carry entire aisles dedicated to dried seafood. Check the snack section for packaged dried squid or head to the refrigerated side aisles where fresh, pre-packaged banchan (side dishes) like Ojingeo Chae are stocked.
• Amazon: Search directly for terms like “Korean shredded dried squid”, “butter roasted squid snack”, or major brand names like Nongshim and Lotte. Many imported multi-packs are shipped directly via Amazon Prime.
• Specialty Korean Online Retailers: Online Asian grocers like Weee! frequently import authentic convenience store snacks directly from Seoul, including hard-to-find limited edition releases.

Verdict

Korean dried squid snacks might look intimidating to first-timers who are not used to chewy seafood treats, but they are hands-down one of the best parts of Korean food culture. They offer a high-protein, intensely flavorful alternative to greasy potato chips that pairs perfectly with a cold beverage at the end of a long workday.

If I had to recommend just one bag to a friend visiting Seoul for the first time, I would tell them to pick up Butter Grilled Shredded Squid along with a tube of local mayonnaise. Pop it in the microwave for ten seconds, crack open a drink, and enjoy the night.

Overall Score: 9/10 — An essential late-night Seoul experience that every K-food fan needs to try at least once.

FAQ

Are dried squid snacks healthy?

In general, dried squid is naturally high in protein and low in fat. However, packaged convenience store snack versions often contain added sugars, salt, and seasonings for flavor, so it is best to enjoy them in moderation as a treat rather than a meal replacement.

Do I need to cook Korean dried squid snacks before eating?

No, all packaged dried squid snacks sold at convenience stores are fully cured, dried, or roasted and completely safe to eat straight out of the bag. Microwaving them for 10 to 15 seconds is entirely optional, though highly recommended to improve texture and warmth.

How should I store leftover dried squid?

If you do not finish the entire pouch in one sitting, seal the bag tightly using a clip or ziplock bag and store it in your refrigerator. This preserves moisture and prevents the squid from drying out into a hard, tough texture.

More Mart Finds

• Best Non Spicy Korean Instant Ramen Options from Seoul
• How to read Korean food labels at K-Mart
• The Best Korean Snacks for Kids: A Parent’s Honest Buying Guide from Seoul
• CJ Bibigo and Ottogi: My take on Korean instant ready meals