If you’ve been living in Korea for a while, you might’ve already discovered this.

One of the best little tricks to save money is visiting places like Homeplus or E-Mart later in the evening, especially after 8:30 PM. That’s when they start putting discount stickers on lots of fresh items — from dosirak (lunch boxes) to fried chicken, sushi rolls, salads, fruit, and even desserts. Sometimes you can get up to 50% off, just because it’s close to closing time. It’s a smart move if you’re not picky and just want a quick, cheap meal.

Another tip — if you have an Alien Registration Card (ARC), you can sign up for store memberships. Places like Homeplus, Olive Young, Daiso, and even convenience stores offer member prices, and you often get points or extra discounts. Usually, all you need is a Korean phone number and your ARC. Some places let you sign up via app.

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for those yellow or red discount stickers when you're shopping. They’re not just random labels — that’s your cue that something’s on sale, especially bakery stuff or side dishes.

It’s little things like this that make life in Korea a bit more affordable, especially if you're a student or just trying to stretch your monthly budget.

So next time you’re heading home at night, maybe swing by your local supermarket — you might just score dinner for half the price.