Journalist
Kim Hyun-a
haha@ajunews.com
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Dongsuh Foods’ Maxim Plant in Seoul Unveils Spring Makeover and Lavender Latte Maxim Plant, a landmark coffee venue in Seoul’s Hannam-dong operated by Dongsuh Foods, has refreshed its look for spring with a purple-themed design and a seasonal menu. The company has positioned the site as a coffee culture space, rotating interiors and offerings by season. Dongsuh Foods said on the 27th that Maxim Plant, which opened in April 2018, has logged about 1.55 million cumulative visitors, supported by seasonal staging, specialty coffee and hands-on content. This spring’s concept is “a brief, complete rest with a cup of coffee.” The area in front of the first-floor folding doors has been set up as a flower-shop-style photo zone, while green plants above the central counter add a fresh feel. The seasonal drink is a lavender latte, made with spring-blend espresso and lavender syrup. The company said it balances grape-like notes and acidity with the softness of milk, leaving a fragrant, sweet finish. On the third floor, the brewing lounge is running a “Synesthesia Coffee” program. Visitors use a tablet to choose flavor, acidity and roast level, receive a tailored bean recommendation, and are provided matching poetry and music. Customers can listen on a headset at dedicated seats while drinking their coffee. Maxim Plant also offers a basic class on coffee fundamentals and programs that let visitors try roasting and extraction. To mark the venue’s eighth anniversary, Dongsuh Foods plans a members-only 1+1 promotion for its popular blend beans “Deep Dive” and “Golden Sky.” A Dongsuh Foods official said the spring season combines lavender-based drinks and a brighter setting to help visitors take a break in the city, adding that the company will continue to introduce differentiated menus and content.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 16:18:19 -
CJ Logistics Launches Campaign to Cut Shipping Costs, Promote Small Food Sellers CJ Logistics said Monday it is launching “Hamkke Sane, Gachi One,” a project to identify promising small and midsize food companies and support them with logistics subsidies and promotion. The campaign targets small merchants with strong products and fresh ideas who still struggle to expand sales channels because of shipping and marketing costs. Any food seller that ships and sells products by parcel delivery can apply through the campaign’s official website from Monday through May 25. CJ Logistics said it will select 30 companies after evaluating taste and quality, price competitiveness and suitability for delivery. Of those, 20 will each receive 1 million won in shipping support. Another 10 will receive up to 2 million won in shipping support and help producing promotional content called “O-NE Pick Review,” featuring a well-known influencer. The company said it partnered with mukbang review YouTuber “Heukbaek Review,” which has 830,000 subscribers, to boost credibility and reach. The videos will be uploaded to CJ Logistics’ YouTube channel, “Ige One (O-NE),” with purchase links to connect viewers to sales. Two selected companies that draw strong consumer response will also get a chance to be featured on Heukbaek Review’s main channel. A CJ Logistics official said the campaign was designed to ease small merchants’ logistics burden and help competitive products reach more consumers. The official said the company will continue practical partnership programs that allow it to grow alongside small and midsize businesses and small merchants across industries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 14:49:00 -
CJ CheilJedang Expands Partnership With Vietnam Retailer Bach Hoa Xanh to Grow K-Food Sales CJ CheilJedang is expanding cooperation with Vietnam’s largest retail network as it steps up its push in the local food market, aiming to accelerate the spread of K-food through closer manufacturing and distribution collaboration. The company said April 27 it will broaden its partnership with Bach Hoa Xanh, Vietnam’s No. 1 retailer. Bach Hoa Xanh is a supermarket chain under MWG, Vietnam’s largest retail group, and operates about 2,760 stores nationwide. CJ CheilJedang has sold key products through the chain, including Bibigo dumplings and rolls, kimchi and seaweed. Sales through the channel have grown an average of 20% annually over the past four years, the company said. The expanded partnership is intended to drive joint growth and help modernize Vietnam’s food culture by combining CJ CheilJedang’s product development and cold-chain capabilities with Bach Hoa Xanh’s distribution infrastructure to strengthen competitiveness in processed foods. The companies plan to widen the K-food lineup and co-develop products tailored to local consumer trends. They also plan to upgrade food safety and quality management systems and invest in refrigerated and frozen logistics. Marketing will include a dedicated CJ section within the retailer’s app and hands-on promotional events, in addition to in-store efforts. CJ CheilJedang and Bach Hoa Xanh signed a memorandum of understanding in Hanoi on April 23 on expanding K-food and leading the processed foods market. The signing was held in connection with the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum. Jo Jaebeom, head of CJ CheilJedang’s Food Asia-Pacific headquarters, and Nguyen Duc Tai, MWG chairman, attended. Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan and Vietnam’s Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan were also present, the company said. CJ CheilJedang entered Vietnam in 2015 with a milling business and has expanded through localization, mergers and acquisitions, and building production bases. The company said last year’s sales were about seven times the 2016 level. It added that it holds the No. 1 market share in dumplings and kimchi in Vietnam after entering those categories early. CJ CheilJedang said the partnership will help it expand distribution beyond its southern base around Ho Chi Minh City to northern Vietnam and smaller cities. It also plans to broaden its portfolio beyond frozen and chilled items to include shelf-stable products such as noodles and snacks, as well as chilled processed meat products. A CJ CheilJedang official said the partnership with Bach Hoa Xanh will be an important step for Bibigo to become a “national brand” in Vietnam. The official said the company will continue expanding K-food by offering products and services tailored to local consumers’ lifestyles.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 10:49:25 -
KGC Highlights Red Ginseng Benefits at Global Science Meeting, Boosting Overseas Push Korean red ginseng, a leading health supplement, is gaining momentum overseas as research presented on the international academic stage points to a range of potential benefits. KGC said the growing body of scientific evidence is helping build credibility in foreign markets. KGC, which operates the red ginseng brand CheongKwanJang, said it recently held an academic seminar on the latest red ginseng research at the International Society for Natural Product Sciences (ICSB) meeting in Mississippi. About 400 researchers attended, including officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the company said. Presentations covered findings on key functions of red ginseng, including neuroprotection, anti-aging and blood sugar regulation. Researchers also outlined a proposed mechanism in which ginsenosides cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to protecting nerve cells. In clinical research on metabolic health, the red ginseng group showed a tendency toward lower post-meal and fasting blood glucose levels, and indicators of insulin secretion were also analyzed as improved, KGC said. The company said the results suggest potential use in blood sugar management, an area of strong global demand. Human application tests also indicated reduced oxidative stress and improved sleep quality. Industry observers say such findings could broaden red ginseng beyond immunity-focused products into anti-aging, metabolic and brain health categories. KGC said it is also expanding distribution. Red ginseng products are sold through major North American channels including Amazon, Costco and Sprouts. The company cited alignment with health trends such as gluten-free and caffeine-free products as a growth factor. “Red ginseng is an ingredient whose functionality has been verified through numerous studies,” a KGC official said. “Based on overseas research cooperation, we will strengthen credibility and expand locally tailored products to increase market share.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 16:50:17 -
Korean Food Makers Split on R&D Spending as Profits and Overseas Sales Diverge R&D spending by South Korean food companies is increasingly split between firms cutting back to protect profits and those expanding investment on the strength of overseas growth. Companies facing weaker results and higher input costs have tended to trim research budgets and lean on proven products rather than fund new launches. Meanwhile, firms with solid overseas performance have widened the gap by boosting R&D as a longer-term growth engine. An analysis of filings with the Financial Supervisory Service showed that R&D outlays among major food makers varied sharply depending on earnings and the share of sales generated abroad. Industry leader CJ CheilJedang spent 194.5 billion won on R&D last year, down 16.6 billion won, or 7.8%, from 211.1 billion won a year earlier. Its operating profit margin fell from the 5% range to the 4% range, increasing pressure to cut costs, the analysis said. Lotte Chilsung Beverage, Ottogi and Nongshim also reduced spending. Lotte Chilsung cut R&D to 26.8 billion won from 29.6 billion won, down 9.5%. Ottogi lowered it to 19.3 billion won from 20.4 billion won, down 5.4%. Nongshim reduced it to 28.3 billion won from 29.5 billion won, down 4.1%. The pullback was most evident among companies more dependent on the domestic market or slower to recover from rising raw-material costs. By contrast, companies sustaining growth overseas increased investment. Daesang raised R&D spending to 56.9 billion won in 2025 from 46.5 billion won in 2024, up 22.4%, or 10.4 billion won, the largest increase in absolute terms among major food companies. R&D as a share of sales rose to 1.29% from 1.09%, reaching the industry’s top level. The company’s push to expand global businesses centered on ingredients and bio-related operations helped drive the increase. Samyang Foods, which has posted record results with overseas sales accounting for more than 80% of revenue, increased R&D spending to 12.7 billion won from 7.8 billion won, up 62.8%. Backed by an operating profit margin in the 20% range, it has focused funding on locally tailored products and strengthening brand competitiveness. Orion, with overseas sales making up more than 60% of revenue, increased R&D to 6.1 billion won from 5.7 billion won, up 7.0%. As overall R&D investment cools, product strategies are also shifting toward lower-risk moves. Instead of costly new launches, companies are increasingly reviving past hits with updated concepts. Nongshim restored its 1975 “Nongshim Ramyun” to mark its 60th anniversary and sold 10 million packs in three months, riding a retro trend. Lotte Wellfood also brought back discontinued nostalgic products such as “Daerong Daerong,” drawing strong consumer response. “Moves to use proven assets for more efficient management are becoming more pronounced,” a food industry official said. “But if this conservative stance lasts, basic investment to secure new technologies could shrink, and the gap in product competitiveness between companies could widen.” 2026-04-26 13:09:19 -
Hyundai Green Food to Open First Seoul Texas Roadhouse Flagship on April 28 Hyundai Green Food, the food company of Hyundai Department Store Group, said April 26 it will open the Texas Roadhouse Jamsil main store on April 28 in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Texas Roadhouse is a steak brand founded in 1993 in Indiana. It operates more than 800 locations across 11 countries, including the United States, Mexico and Taiwan. In South Korea, Hyundai Green Food opened the first store in 2020 at Hyundai Premium Outlets Space One in Namyangju and now runs six locations, including stores in Songdo and Gimpo and outlets at Hyundai Department Store’s Jungdong and Pangyo branches and The Hyundai Daegu. The Jamsil main store is the brand’s first flagship in Seoul’s core retail district. The restaurant spans about 505 square meters (153 pyeong) with 200 seats. Hours will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., one hour longer than existing stores, the company said, citing heavy foot traffic in the area. The chain has built competitiveness around offering Choice-grade steaks at reasonable prices. Stores also feature an in-house meat room and professional meat cutters so customers can see and select cuts and weights before ordering. Lee Jong-pil, executive director and head of Hyundai Green Food’s dining-out business division, said the Jamsil opening is the company’s first flagship-style store in a key Seoul commercial area. He said the launch will help promote the brand and further strengthen Hyundai Green Food’s competitiveness in the dining business.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 12:57:15 -
South Korea Chicken Market Shifts to bhc Lead as BBQ, Kyochon Battle for No. 2 South Korea’s chicken franchise market is increasingly taking on a “one leader, two challengers” structure centered on bhc. With bhc pulling further ahead on sales, BBQ and Kyochon Chicken are locked in a close fight for second place. As of April 23, industry officials said Dining Brands Group, which operates bhc, posted 614.7 billion won in standalone sales last year, becoming the first in the sector to surpass 600 billion won in annual revenue. Sales rose 19.9% from 512.7 billion won a year earlier, while operating profit increased 23% to 164.5 billion won. The company’s momentum has been driven by successful new menu items. “Quasak King,” launched last year, topped 7 million in cumulative sales in about a year, matching the popularity of its signature “Bburinkle.” “Sweet Chili King” also exceeded 1 million units within three months of launch. bhc also benefited from maintaining a stable supply system for fresh and cut chicken despite external supply uncertainty, supporting franchisee profitability. BBQ, which had long competed with bhc for the top spot, saw growth slow and the gap widen again. In 2024, BBQ narrowed the sales gap to 6.6 billion won and aimed to reclaim No. 1, but last year its sales rose just 4.3% to 527.8 billion won. Operating profit fell 19.4% to 69.0 billion won. The sales gap with bhc expanded to about 86.9 billion won. BBQ said the results reflected upfront spending tied to its 30th anniversary marketing, overseas expansion and logistics infrastructure. BBQ now operates about 700 stores in 57 countries, including the United States, and is focusing on strengthening its competitiveness abroad. Kyochon Chicken, in third place, rebounded and closed in on BBQ. Kyochon F&B posted 517.4 billion won in sales last year, up 7.6% from a year earlier, returning to the 500 billion won range for the first time in three years. Operating profit jumped 126.2% to 34.9 billion won. The sales gap with second-place BBQ narrowed to about 10.4 billion won from 22.4 billion won in 2024. Kyochon attributed the improvement to new products such as Mala Red, growth in subscribers to its app, and stronger demand tied to rising interest in professional sports. Industry watchers said the key storyline this year is likely to be the battle between BBQ and Kyochon for No. 2, rather than a fight for the top spot. Each company is refining its strategy. bhc is maintaining a plan to launch two new products a year, introduced “Soy Garlic King” in March, and is focusing on efficiency by deploying its automated frying robot, “T-bot.” BBQ is emphasizing “execution and results,” pursuing AI-centered management innovation and strengthening its global strategy with the United States, Europe and China as key hubs. Kyochon plans to bolster growth by developing new menu items and expanding new businesses such as sauces and craft beer. An industry official said, “With uncertainties growing at home and abroad — including rising raw material prices and intensifying competition in the delivery market — marketing and new-product competition is likely to become even fiercer.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 17:28:24 -
Pulmuone Opens Hands-On Cooking School; BBQ Expands in Thailand; GS25 Meal Sales Hit 100M; Beef Fund Backs Farm Solar Pulmuone opens hands-on cooking school ‘Tasty Pulmuone’ Pulmuone said April 23 it has opened a cooking school, ‘Tasty Pulmuone,’ at its headquarters in Suseo, Seoul, and has begun full operations. The opening ceremony was held the previous day with board chair Lee Hyoyul and chief executive Lee Woobong among attendees. The program is designed as a hands-on platform where consumers cook for themselves while learning meal planning that considers health and the environment. It is built around Pulmuone’s “211” approach, emphasizing vegetables, whole grains and low-saturated-fat protein. The curriculum has four tracks: vegetable-forward meals, using whole grains, cooking low-saturated-fat proteins, and practicing flexible vegetarian eating. Classes run as a two-day format, two hours per day, with eight participants per session, held twice a month. Enrollment is first-come, first-served through the official website. Sample dishes include a fresh dandelion-and-soybean salad, herb chicken breast with sweet pumpkin, glutinous brown rice vegetable sushi, and kale wraps with thick soybean paste. Pulmuone said the menu uses simple one-bowl and one-dish cooking to make it easier to apply at home. Pulmuone said it plans to expand participation to vulnerable groups, foreigners and food professionals, and to build a community to promote sustainable eating. Graduates will receive recipe cards and certificates. “‘Tasty Pulmuone’ was designed as a place where consumers can naturally learn sustainable eating by cooking and tasting for themselves,” said Yoon Myung-rang, head of global marketing at Pulmuone Foods. “We will expand everyday practice through a range of education programs.” BBQ signs Thailand master franchise deal, steps up Southeast Asia push Genesis BBQ said April 23 it has signed a master franchise agreement with a local company in Thailand, moving to scale up its business there and use the country as a base to expand across Southeast Asia. Its partner, Genesis BBQ (Thailand) Co., Ltd., is a corporation established by a company that has operated food-and-beverage and social overhead capital businesses based in Shanghai, China, BBQ said. The partner has experience running casual dining restaurants in Thailand and is seen as having a strong grasp of local commercial districts and consumer trends. Thailand, with a population of about 71 million and strong tourism demand, is viewed as a key Southeast Asian market, BBQ said. The company also cited local preferences for spicy flavors, fried foods and sauce-based dishes as factors supporting demand for chicken and other Korean food items. BBQ said it plans to open casual-dining flagship stores in major commercial areas in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya, including in large shopping complexes such as Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, and then expand franchising in stages. A BBQ official said the company plans to establish a foothold in Thailand and then expand into neighboring countries including Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. GS25 ‘Hyeja’ ready meals top 100 million sold in three years since relaunch GS Retail said April 23 that cumulative sales of its GS25 private-label ready-to-eat line ‘Hyeja’ have surpassed 100 million units in the three years since the brand’s relaunch, as demand grows for budget-friendly meals amid high prices. Including sales since the brand’s first launch in 2010, cumulative volume totals 530 million units, the company said. The ‘Hyeja’ line is a private-brand convenience food range developed with actor Kim Hye-ja and marketed under the concept of “mom’s home cooking.” GS Retail said it has been credited with helping position convenience-store meals as a regular meal option by emphasizing reasonable prices and consistent quality. As dining-out costs rose and “lunchflation” intensified, consumers called for the brand’s return, GS Retail said. GS25 brought it back in February 2023 and said it overhauled ingredients and manufacturing processes to improve quality. The company said expanding beyond lunch boxes into salads and bread also supported growth. A 1,500-won ‘Hyeja’ dessert introduced in March sold 1 million units in a month, it said. “We earned customer trust through reasonable prices and steady quality improvements,” said Park Jong-seo, a GS Retail FF team manager. “We will further strengthen our position as a ‘national ready-meal’ brand by developing products that match changing food culture.” Korean beef fund, Solarwalk partner to expand solar power at livestock farms The Korean Beef Fund Management Committee said it is partnering with solar power company Solarwalk to help livestock farms adopt renewable energy, aiming to ease rising energy costs and support carbon-neutral efforts. The committee said April 23 it signed a business agreement with Solarwalk to expand the use of eco-friendly energy. The signing ceremony was held at Solarwalk’s headquarters in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, with committee chair Cho Jae-sung and Solarwalk CEO Hong Hyun-jin attending. The agreement is intended to support Korean beef farms facing difficulties from higher energy prices and the climate crisis, and to build a production base aligned with carbon neutrality, the committee said. The two sides agreed to cooperate on improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs through solar installations. Planned cooperation includes supporting the introduction and expansion of solar facilities at farms, jointly pursuing ways to cut energy costs, identifying projects tied to environmentally friendly livestock operations, and providing education and consulting. The committee said it will encourage participation nationwide and handle administrative support. Solarwalk will be responsible for installation and technical support and will provide tailored energy-saving solutions by farm. The company also plans maintenance and follow-up support after installation to ensure stable operations. “We expect this will provide practical help to farms facing heavier energy cost burdens,” Cho said. “I hope this agreement becomes a turning point for an environmentally friendly transition in the Korean beef industry.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 16:37:16 -
McDonald’s Korea Doubles Happy Meal Donations for Family Month Campaign McDonald’s Korea is expanding donations linked to its children’s Happy Meal menu item to mark Family Month. The company said Wednesday it will double the amount set aside from Happy Meal sales for about a month, from April 30 through the end of May. The donation per set will rise to 100 won from 50 won. During the campaign, the company will provide donation certificates and stickers to help children better understand and take part in the giving process. On May 24, McDonald’s Korea will hold its walking fundraiser, the “2026 McDonald’s Happy Walk.” This year, it will expand participation to 6,000 people from about 5,000 previously. “Happy Meal is a meaningful menu item that lets customers join in giving simply by making a purchase,” a McDonald’s Korea official said. The official added that the company will continue to increase everyday opportunities for families to share and give through programs such as the Family Campaign and Happy Walk. McDonald’s Korea said it is RMHC Korea’s largest sponsor and has continued support efforts for sick children and their families.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 14:27:57 -
Seoul Milk boosts eco-friendly packaging for Earth Day; Paris Baguette, Compose Coffee and Ildong Foodis updates Seoul Milk Cooperative steps up eco-friendly packaging for Earth Day Seoul Milk Cooperative said April 22 it is strengthening ESG management centered on environmentally friendly practices to mark Earth Day. The cooperative set up an ESG committee in 2021, the first in the dairy industry, and has expanded efforts from workplace changes—cutting single-use items, adopting recycled-paper business cards and switching to eco-friendly office supplies—to packaging innovation. On products, it has focused on packaging designed for recycling. It applied recycled material (r-PET) containers to its 700-milliliter organic milk and introduced label-free packaging for its spoonable yogurt brand Yohaim. It is also using paper straws, removing cap stickers and expanding water-separable labels. Last year, it introduced what it called the country’s first eco-friendly aseptic carton without aluminum. By removing the aluminum layer from the previous paper-polymer-aluminum structure, the cooperative said it improved recycling efficiency. It applied the carton to its organic aseptic milk and is seeking to expand its use. Seoul Milk said it received a minister’s commendation last year in the resource-circulation category from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, citing measurable results since 2021, including packaging redesign and building recycling systems. It also said it is strengthening low-carbon production, operating 107 farms certified for low-carbon livestock products, while sales of its low-carbon certified milk are rising. “ESG activities centered on eco-friendliness are leading to tangible results,” cooperative Chairman Moon Jin-seop said. “We will strengthen resource-circulation systems across the entire production and distribution process.” Paris Baguette launches cakes in the low 20,000-won range, expands value desserts With high prices persisting, Paris Baguette is expanding its value dessert lineup with cakes priced in the low 20,000-won range. The bakery chain said April 22 it has launched two new cakes priced in the low 20,000-won range to reduce the burden of everyday spending. The Cheese Souffle Cake layers a soft souffle cheese topping with white cake and cheese cream. The Ttitra Earl Grey Cake uses Earl Grey from premium blended tea brand Ttitra, and adds peach pieces for a brighter flavor. Paris Baguette also sells other cakes in the same price range, including Tiramisu Cake and Strawberry Blossom Cake. “We are expanding our value cake series that customers can enjoy casually in everyday life,” a company official said. “We will continue to broaden choices with products across a range of prices and concepts.” Compose Coffee to release “Coffee Hanmogom” keyring sets to extend new-menu momentum Compose Coffee said April 22 it will offer “Coffee Hanmogom” keyring sets featuring a bear character from its brand film to mark the launch of its new “All Day Compose” menu line. The chain said new items, including the Vanilla Cream Latte, topped 350,000 cups sold within a week of release. It said the Vanilla Cream Latte has drawn interest as a reasonably priced menu item, highlighting rich vanilla cream and dark-chocolate flavor. The keyring sets were planned on the back of the new menu’s popularity. Each set pairs a coffee drink with a “Coffee Hanmogom” keyring. The character name combines the Korean phrase for “a sip of coffee” with “teddy bear,” reflecting the tone of the brand film. The sets come in five versions: Vanilla Cream Latte, Nutty Cream Latte, Pineapple Coffee, Better Than Einspanner and All Day Oat. The company said the lineup is designed to reflect different preferences, including decaf, fruit and cream-based options. A Compose Coffee official said the sets are intended to offer a brand experience “from morning to evening, anytime and anywhere.” Ildong Foodis Hi-Mune sponsors disability sports event with Paralympians Ildong Foodis said April 22 it sponsored the “Disability Sports With Paralympians” event with its Hi-Mune Protein Balance Active drink. The event was held April 18 at Seoul World Cup Stadium with FC Seoul, featuring participatory sports programs bringing together people with and without disabilities. On site, a “Dream Paralympics” program offered hands-on experiences in disability sports such as wheelchair basketball and blind football. Medalists from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics also attended and met with the public. During a K League match that day, Nordic skier Kim Yoon-ji served as match-ball presenter, and snowboarder Lee Je-hyeok took part in the ceremonial kickoff. Ildong Foodis provided Hi-Mune Active to participants to support energy and nutrition during exercise. The company said the high-protein drink contains 20 grams of protein per pack and uses MPC (milk protein concentrate) and goat milk protein. An Ildong Foodis official said the sponsorship was arranged to help promote disability sports around the Day of Persons with Disabilities, adding that Hi-Mune would “be there wherever protein is needed.” Hi-Mune has continued marketing activities across sports including soccer, running and golf, the company said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 18:03:15