[Product Review] The Sold-Out Sensation GS25 Macarons... Early Morning Visits Are a Sweet Tip

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] When living a busy daily life, there are moments when the phrase "dang ttaengginda" (a mistaken expression of "dang ginda," meaning craving sugar) fits perfectly. For students or office workers, it's around 4 p.m. when fatigue from work sets in. For PC bang users who have passionately played a round with online gaming comrades, it's around 10 p.m. And for those who have stayed up studying or working, blurring the line between human and zombie, it's around 2 a.m.

Although the actual blood sugar level may not have dropped, visiting a convenience store while indulging in some self-comfort is one of the small pleasures. It was purely by chance that I discovered the "Sweet Macaron" at the GS25 below my house at midnight on a weekend when I couldn’t sleep because of unfinished tasks, dragging my slippers and rubbing my sleepy eyes.

Sweet Macaron is a trending dessert famous for its high cost-effectiveness (performance relative to price), gaining word-of-mouth popularity first among women in their 20s and 30s. Priced at 3,200 won for a pack of three, it costs about one-half to one-third of macarons sold at cafes. Its pretty round shape makes it perfect for posting on social networking services (SNS), and it has become a hot topic on Facebook, Instagram, and personal blogs. There are also many review posts comparing it with similar macaron products from competing convenience stores, making reading various reviews quite enjoyable.

True to its name, Sweet Macaron boasts a wicked calorie count of about 113 kcal per piece and has a charming and alluring appearance. Concerned that eating something too sweet at dawn might cause a headache, I also brewed a hot cup of hand-drip coffee to go with it. Inside the macarons, colored purple (mango cream), pink (chocolate cream), and yellow (blueberry cream), were plump fillings. Each was individually wrapped for easy one-handed eating.

Taking a bite of the macaron, the sweetness of the filling spread in my mouth. The shell did not crumble and had a very chewy texture, delivering a taste beyond expectations. However, because the filling itself was very sweet, it was hard to discern the flavor or aroma of the shell. If you don’t expect a "handmade premium" macaron, you are less likely to be disappointed.

So, when is the best time to visit? According to a convenience store night shift worker, the night is best since new stock usually arrives around 10 p.m. Only two packs come in per day, so they are often sold out by morning before the shift change. The main consumers are young women around the reporter’s age. However, since only two packs arrive daily, those who love convenience store desserts might want to refrain from hoarding for the sake of shared happiness.

◆ You must try it

#If you need a straightforward sweet taste

◆ One-line impression

#Bought one macaron but felt like getting three

◆ Price

#3,200 won (3 pieces)

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