Slurpees return to Korea after over 20 years

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Slurpees return to Korea after over 20 years

Posted : 2019-10-29 18:32

Updated : 2019-10-31 13:16

A Slurpee machine is installed in a 7-Eleven location in Gyeongnidan area in Seoul's Itaewon-dong. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

By Jon Dunbar

For anyone who has ever craved a Slurpee here, the frozen carbonated drinks are back in Korea. A limited number of 7-Eleven convenience stores across the country have installed machines serving Slurpees.

"I've been waiting for this to come to Korea for 17 years and now I'm moving back to Canada next month," said Craig, a Canadian resident of Korea.

Although it has been possible to find frozen slush drinks at various places across Korea, including at traditional markets, tourist sites and festivals, they are not the same as a Slurpee. Frozen slush drinks are known by many other names around the world, such as Frosters and Slush Puppies, and on the animated sitcom "The Simpsons" they are called "Squishees." Slurpee is a brand trademarked to 7-Eleven, and an essential part of the convenience store experience in some countries.

"It's not a 7-Eleven without Slurpees," one online commenter said.

Slurpees are especially popular in the U.S. where they were invented in 1959, and Canada where a reported 30 million Slurpees are sold each year. So it is no surprise that some foreign residents might react overzealously to this news.

The Slurpees started to flow here again in July this year and are available at five locations, according to a 7-Eleven spokesperson. The five locations are all newly launched premium convenience stores under the "Food Dream" label, specializing in premade meals and other exclusive food products.

There are three stores in Seoul, located in Hannam-dong, Gyeongnidan in Itaewon-dong and Gangnam, according to the employee. Another is located in Suwon and the employee was unfamiliar with the fifth location, but thought Samcheok.

"I love Slurpees," said Jeong-ah, a Korean tattoo artist who recalls having her first Slurpee when she was in grade school, after 7-Eleven came to the country. "Cherry with blueberry especially. If you like Slurpees, you have a favorite combo."

It is common for Slurpee aficionados to mix Slurpee flavors, which are countless, with the frozen drink forming layers and giving a changing flavor experience as the Slurpee is consumed.

However, Slurpees at the five locations are currently available in only three flavors: mango, strawberry and pineapple, with no plans to introduce new flavors in the future.

The 7-Eleven brand came to Korea in 1988, introducing Slurpees here that year, according to the company representative, but the frozen beverages were discontinued sometime in the mid-1990s. The reason for their discontinuation is unknown, but some who can remember buying Slurpees in Korea in the 1990s speculate convenience store owners became frustrated with some customer behaviors, such as mixing and refilling their Slurpees.

"People drank them before paying, and kept refilling them," Jeong-ah recalled.

One Canadian who bought a Slurpee at a Seoul 7-Eleven in 1996 recalled being charged double because she filled her cup over the rim, heaping it into an icy peak as is customary in other countries.

Perhaps for this reason, the Gyeongnidan location has installed its Slurpee taps directly in front of the cashier, so customers can fill their own cups under some supervision.

jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr