One of my favorite aspects of living in Taiwan is the convenience stores—especially 7-Eleven
and FamilyMart. From an American perspective, convenience stores are usually just places you
stop during long car rides to buy gas, grab a quick snack, or use the restroom. Before coming to
Taiwan, that was essentially my only experience with them. In Taiwan, however, convenience
stores play a much bigger role in daily life.
Convenience stores are everywhere. It is not uncommon to see several convenience stores on the
same block, with many people stopping by multiple times a day. Whether you need coffee in the
morning, a quick lunch between classes, or a late-night snack, convenience stores are designed to
make daily life easier and more efficient.
One thing that surprised me the most was the variety of food and drinks available. In the United
States, convenience stores usually sell chips, candy, soda, and sometimes hot foods like pizza or
hot dogs. In Taiwan, stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart sell a much wider selection, including
rice balls, dumplings, pasta, chicken, eggs, and even fruit. Additionally, most foods can even be
heated at the counter, making it easy to grab a quick meal on the go.
Convenience stores in Taiwan are much more than just places to buy food. Many locations also
have ATMs, ticket machines, printing services, and package pickup systems. Because Taiwan
still relies heavily on cash payments in many places, having easy access to an ATM inside a
convenience store can be extremely helpful. Similarly, online purchases are often delivered
directly to a convenience store, where customers can pick them up whenever it is convenient.
Living in the international dorm, I often find myself stopping by the nearby convenience stores
for quick dinners or late-night snacks. Over time, they have become a small but memorable part
of my everyday routine in Taiwan.
Photo 1: FamilyMart Outside My Dorm
This photo shows the FamilyMart located outside my dorm building. Because it is so close, it has
become one of the places I visit the most during my time in Taiwan. Many students stop here
throughout the day to grab snacks, drinks, or quick meals. It is a perfect example of how
convenient these stores are, since you can often find one only a short walk away from wherever
you live.
Photo 2: 7-Eleven Across the Street
Directly across the street from the FamilyMart is a 7-Eleven, which shows just how common
convenience stores are in Taiwan. Even though the two stores are extremely close to each other,
both are busy throughout the day. Many people choose between them based on personal
preference, special promotions, or the specific food items available. I personally like going to the
FamilyMart for their rice ball selection since the 7-Eleven nearby tends to sell out quickly.
Photo 3: The ATM Inside 7-Eleven
Inside most convenience stores in Taiwan, you will find an ATM like the one in this photo. This
is especially useful because many small restaurants, markets, and shops still prefer cash
payments. Instead of needing to find a bank, people can quickly withdraw money while buying a
drink or snack. It is another example of how convenience stores function as important everyday
service centers.
Photo 4: My Usual Convenience Store Meal
This photo shows one of my typical convenience store meals: a tuna rice ball and spicy soft
boiled eggs. Together, they make a quick, inexpensive meal that is easy to grab when I am busy.
In addition to prepackaged soft boiled eggs, 7-Eleven and FamilyMart also sell tea eggs which I
highly recommend trying while in Taiwan.
Photo 5: The 7-Eleven and FamilyMart Coffee Stations
These photos show the City Cafe coffee station inside 7-Eleven as well as the Let’s Tea in
FamilyMart. Many people stop here in the morning to buy coffee before work or school because
it is usually cheaper and faster than going to a cafe. Customers can choose from different types
of coffee and tea, and the drinks are prepared fresh when ordered. For busy students and
commuters, this quick coffee option is a very popular part of the convenience store experience