They are everywhere. I recognised the changing landscape. I just didn’t spend too much time thinking about it. At least, until now.

Convenience stores and mini-markets. There are four located a stone’s throw from my condominium. Within a one km radius, there are too many to count. They are either standalone or housed inside shopping malls, petrol stations and even in the lobby of a bank.

My first experience of a convenience store was 7-Eleven in Kuala Lumpur. In the eighties, while I was at university. What I remember most about 7-11 was its frozen Slurpee. Not much else. As an aside, my first real memory of a convenience or corner shop was ‘Haji Shop.’ As I called it. An independent little store that was located next to my house along Jalan Seberang Perak in Alor Setar. The owner, an elderly gentleman, who may have been young but appeared old or older to me as I was less than six years old at the time. You know what ‘they’ say about how everyone looks old or ancient to a very young person. Hmm.

Anyways, ‘Haji Shop’ was clearly ahead of the times. It sold ‘ice-cream Malaysia’ – a sweet syrupy water available in many flavours. Frozen in a 6-8 inch thin and long plastic packaging. My favourite was ‘asam boi’ or dried plum. This very cold concoction was mainly sweet with a tinge of sourness. The shop also sold frozen rambutan in the same 6-8 inch thin and long plastic packaging. I loved it. My mum used to say how diligently I ‘invested’ my money in the ‘Haji Shop.’ True.

I first noticed the prevalence of convenience stores in Taiwan. One every few meters. This was when my husband worked in Taipei between 2007 and 2008. Even then I was surprised how well frequented, and how popular they were. The shops sold many things and ready to eat food like triangle pre-packaged rice, herbal tea eggs and instant noodles. There were also catchy jingles that greeted customers at the entrance.

In Malaysia, MyNews and CU, KK Super Mart, Family Mart, and emart24 are some of the easily recognisable local and foreign players in the convenience stores and mini markets segment. CU and emart24 are from South Korea while Family Mart is Japanese. Fun fact. Homegrown, MyNews via MyCU Retail Sdn Bhd is the operator of CU. These newer entrants are very different from the older generation mum-and-pop stores that sold mainly dry packaged items, cigarettes and drinks.

They offer a lot more. To attract and retain customers. And, stave off competition. There is a more interesting product mix from ready-to-eat fresh meals to delectable desserts. An inviting façade. Air-conditioned interior and an easier to manoeuvre layout. Café like eating in facilities. And, accessibility. They are present almost everywhere. All plus points as far as I can see.

That said, I don’t usually go to convenience stores or mini-markets. If and when I do, it’s to buy specific items that I either forgot or couldn’t find during my weekly shop at the larger supermarkets. From KK Super Mart, a small loaf of Massimo bread. From MyNews, iTalk, an international phone card. From CU, nothing yet.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I visited CU as it was the newest convenience store on the block.  I liked what I saw. The green and purple logo popped. The bright interior was appealing. The menu was quite extensive. Bakery items, ready meals, hot food, beverages and desserts. The one that caught our fancy was ‘Bingsu.’ To the uninitiated, ‘moi’  included, ‘Bingsu’ is a type of Korean shaved ice made from a block of frozen milk or cream. It is grated or shaved using a knife to create a fluffy, snow-like dessert with tasty toppings.

Strangely, ‘Bingsu’ reminded me of ‘ice-kapai.’ Not similar but not too dissimilar. ‘Ice-kapai’ is made from shaved ice made from plain water. It’s shaped into a ball and generously smothered with brown and red wonderfully sweet syrup. Sometimes, a dollop of red bean can be found inside the ‘ice-kapai.’  I bought this special treat from a stall just far enough away from the main entrance of St. Nicholas Convent, my alma mater in Alor Setar. I was a loyal customer all through my primary years of 2, 4 and 6. Classes in the afternoon session were from 12.30pm to 6pm. ‘Ice-kapai’ helped digest the hard day at school.

Back to CU. My husband and I have yet to try the ‘Bingsu’ although we agreed to return on a hot afternoon for this dessert. Not a tall ask in Malaysia. The thing is we also don’t grab-and-go a sandwich, a mini pizza or a pre-cooked noodle from convenience stores for lunch or dinner. But, that’s just us. They are not our go-to. Not yet.