[Tried and Tasted] Yangjangpi for 6,900 Won?... The Taste of the Chinese Cuisine Goddess at a Convenience Store

Tasting Emart24’s “Yeosin Yangjangpi”
A Collaborative Menu with Chef Eunyoung Park
Impressive Presentation and Sauce, but Noodle Texture Falls Short
Raising Expectations for Convenience Store Chinese Cuisine

Recently, the convenience store industry has been putting significant effort into collaborations with renowned chefs and dining brands. The trend is to expand the role of convenience stores beyond simply being places to grab a quick meal, transforming them into "miniature dining platforms" where customers can easily experience a variety of restaurant-quality dishes.

One standout product is Emart24's "Yeosin Yangjangpi" (Goddess Yangjangpi). This menu item was created through a collaboration with Chef Eunyoung Park, known as the "Goddess of Chinese Cuisine." The previous release from the same collaboration line, "Yeosin Mala Xiangguo," received a positive response after gaining popularity on social media and online communities. Naturally, this has led to heightened interest in the follow-up product, Yeosin Yangjangpi.

As a reporter who frequently enjoys Chinese food, I was curious about how much of the chef’s expertise could be captured in a convenience store ready meal. I tried it myself to see whether it was just a product with a fancy name or if it could genuinely serve as a convincing meal.

The 'Goddess Yangjangpi' released in collaboration with Chef Eunyoung Park by Emart24. When transferred to a bowl, it looks like a proper Yangjangpi dish. Photo by Hanjoo Han

The first thing that caught my eye was the presentation. The egg garnish, imitation crab, meat, squid, shrimp, bell pepper, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and Chinese glass noodles were all neatly arranged without being messy. The special mustard cold dish sauce was packaged separately. The yellow egg garnish, red bell pepper, and black mushrooms added vibrant colors, making the first impression quite appealing. After unwrapping and transferring it onto a plate, my impression changed even more. The typical "ready meal" feeling of a convenience store product was much less noticeable, and it looked like an authentic Chinese cold dish. The color and assortment of ingredients remained vivid enough that it wouldn't feel out of place even if served to guests as is.

The eating method is simple: just pour on the special mustard sauce and mix everything together—no microwave needed. Once the sauce was added and mixed, it took on the distinctive look of Yangjangpi. The aroma of mustard was immediate, and the tangy, slightly pungent flavor stimulated the appetite. After the first bite, I thought, "For 6,900 won, this is actually pretty good."

The most satisfying aspect was the sauce. The mustard had a clear kick, and the portion was generous. Since it is a dish to be eaten cold, the overall taste was refreshing and tangy, making it well-suited as a summer ready meal. However, because the mustard flavor is quite strong, consumers sensitive to spicy flavors might want to adjust the amount of sauce instead of using all of it at once.

Emart24's 'Yeoshin Yangjangpi' and 'Yeoshin Marashangguo'. Photo by Yeju Han

The ingredient selection was also reasonable considering the price. With squid, shrimp, meat, and various vegetables, the product captured much of the diverse texture that defines Yangjangpi. Given that Yangjangpi is originally a labor-intensive dish, the fact that you can buy it in a single-serving portion right at a convenience store is a clear advantage.

The only disappointing aspect was the texture of the Chinese glass noodles. Rather than the chewy, elastic feel I expected, they were slightly limp. While this is an understandable limitation for a refrigerated product, it does fall short of the Yangjangpi name in this respect.

As for the Yeosin Mala Xiangguo, after tasting it, I understood why it had spread by word-of-mouth. With ingredients like shrimp, Vienna sausages, wood ear mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, lotus root, flat glass noodles, fish cake, quail eggs, dried tofu, and bean sprouts, the variety was impressive. Even as someone who isn’t comfortable with dishes where the mala spice is overwhelming, I found it easy to eat. The flavor was mildly numbing but addictive, and the spiciness was at a level I’d call "deliciously spicy."

It seems more suitable for consumers who already enjoy the distinctive aroma and numbing sensation of mala dishes rather than for beginners. For first-timers, the presence of spices could feel quite strong. On the other hand, for those who often eat mala, this convenience store product could be a surprisingly satisfying option.

A plate of Yeoshin Mala Xiangguo served. Photo by Han Yeju

Both products were highly versatile, serving well as a meal on their own. They could act as side dishes when paired with rice, or as snacks to go with beer or highballs. They would not seem out of place as housewarming party food when guests visit.

Especially these days, ordering Chinese food delivery for just one serving is not easy, and the minimum order price plus delivery fees can make it costly. This is especially true for dishes like Yangjangpi or Mala Xiangguo, which feature a wide variety of ingredients. In this context, a 6,900 won Yangjangpi and a Mala Xiangguo that can be purchased directly at a convenience store can be a practical alternative.

Of course, these products are not meant to compete directly with freshly cooked dishes from a Chinese restaurant. If you expect the smoky wok flavor, the bouncy texture of freshly blanched seafood, or the liveliness of a cold dish tossed on the spot, you may be left wanting. However, when considering accessibility, price, variety, and taste in balance, both products can be said to have raised expectations for "convenience store Chinese cuisine." This serves as an example of how the range of convenience store ready meals, once centered on lunch boxes and triangle kimbap, is now expanding to include Chinese menu items.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.