7-Eleven in Taiwan! *Must Go*

The best part ! 7-Eleven!

It is not just like any ordinary speed mart that you can find across the street. 7-Eleven in Taiwan is one of the highest per capita concentration of convenience store on earth that has basically everything you need! I would definitely get my accommodation nearby a 7-Eleven to make sure my stomach will be satisfied even in the middle of the night. 

They also have all different varieties of drinks, I have tried to drink at least 2 cans of different drinks from 7-Eleven and it has never failed me. Even the milk tea in the convenience store is delicious! 

I am feeling grateful just by thinking I can get these treats in 7-Eleven even in the middle of the night! Especially when I am lazy to go too far for food, good supper is just a few steps away! *Tea Egg is a MUST TRY!

Other than food and drinks, there are much more that you can do in 7-Eleven!

1. Get your dry cleaning done 

Haven't tried one yet, but paying around 3 USD and they will take care of it for you. To be on the safe side, always ask before you bring anything over!

2. Pay bills and tickets, just scan the barcode and pay up. 

Insurance, water, electricity, tuition fees, or even speed fines. Just bring the receipt over and scan the barcode, you will then be able to make payment. Fast and easy without any hassle!

3. Call a taxi. 

Sick of standing in the middle of the road trying to get a single taxi? You may simply walk into 7-Eleven and ask them to get one for you. While waiting for your taxi, you may even be having some snacks and chill before your taxi arrives.

4. Send packages

Although it is not like Post Office whereby you may send to the exact address, as you can only send them from 7-Eleven to 7-Eleven. However, you do not need to travel far to find a Post Office, as 7-Eleven is practically everywhere in Taiwan. 

5. Free Lottery Ticket!

Just by spending in 7-Eleven, you will be eligible to get a lottery number behind the receipt. Lottery will be drawn every 2 months to select the winner, and the winnings may vary from NT$200 to NT$10 million!! If you are lucky to win, bring it back to 7-Eleven and they will redeem it for you. Best part is, you don't even have to spend a cent on the lottery ticket!!!

6. Free Wifi

There is free wifi in most of the 7-Eleven, though you may have to sign up for it. But as a tourist, it is definitely convenient when you are traveling with a bunch of friends and did not get a mobile plan. 

7. ATM

You may withdraw or even wire money to other bank accounts any time of the day.

8. Print, Fax, and copy

For NT$2 per A4 black and white page, you may bring your documents to 7-Eleven and ask the staff to do the task for you. The price is pretty reasonable and not to mention VERY CONVENIENT! 

9. Recharge your mobile phone 

Most mobile packages in Taiwan are PAYG (Pay As You Go), and people like me don't normally keep track of how much credit left. Therefore being able to recharge your phone anytime is the BOMB! 

10. Buy tickets to show, concerts or games

You no longer have to go to a certain location just to grab a ticket. There is an ATM-like machine in every 7-Eleven called ibon. You may then purchase any sort of tickets you need directly with the machine and attend to the venue on time without any trouble. 

Here are some estimates of the prices that I find useful in 7-Eleven.

*Please note that prices are in NT$, and prices may change, therefore it only serves as a reference!

Drinks:
Coke and soda: can 20NT, bottle (600ml) 29NT, bottle (2L) 50NT
Coffee from the fridge: range from 20-35NT
Freshly made coffee: small: 25-40NT**, medium: 30-45NT**, Large: 35-55NT**
Tea from the fridge: A small cartoon: 10-20NT, bottle: 18-25NT, large bottle: 38-50NT
Freshly made tea: range from 20-35NT
Juice: 25-40NT for 600ml
Redbull: 59NT
Energy drinks: 20-35 NT
Water: 15-40 NT for small bottle, 50NT-70NT for 5L bottle
Milk: 30NT for small cartoon, 1L  89NT-140NT
Beer: Ranging from 50NT - 70 NT for small can, 70NT - 110NT for large can
Other alcohol: You should not buy it in convenient store, it is too expensive. I will mention it in the other article, but just for reference: personal mini whiskey bottle: 180NT-300NT, bottle of cheap wine: 200NT+, absolute vodka: ~500NT
**Cheapest: americano, most expensive: latte

Food:
You will find a huge selection of all kind of microwave food here that clerk will be happy to warm up for you. 
Sandwich: 30-40NT
Hamburger: 35-40NT
Cold noodles: 40-60NT (depends on size)
Spaghetti: 50-70NT
Salad: 35NT
Sushi roll: 35NT
Rice triangle: 30NT
Lunchbox: 55-75NT
Noodle soup: 55-80NT
Hot dog: 22-25NT + bread
Instant noodles: 20-45NT 
Bread: 35-50NT - toast bread, 18-30NT - sweet bread

Snacks:
Chips: 17-35NT for bag,
Chocolate: 10NT - small cheapest chocolate, better ones: 40-110NT per bar
Snicker, M&M, and similar candies: 30NT
Chocolate cookies: 50NT
Chocolate puffs: 30NT
Sugar cookies: 30-50NT
Icecream: 25-180NT 

Microwave popcorn: 35NT for both salty and with cheese.

Services
Copy and print: 2NT per white-black page, 15NT per color
Fax: 5NT local, global usually between 15-50NT
ATM: Free, but watch out for banking charges
Call taxi: Free
Internet: You need to purchase WiFly card, last time I checked it was 350NT, but not sure how long it last.
Paying bills: Free


Stationary
Pen: 10-25NT
Notebook: 20-30NT
Newspaper: 10-20NT
Ear cleaners: 50NT
Toothpicks: 30NT
Cigarettes: ~70-120NT per pack
Umbrella: NT100

Batteries (AA, AAA, etc.): ranges from NT99 to NT300 (rechargeable) 

Others:
Dog food: 35-45NT for can
Eggs: 10 for 89NT