Journalist

Kim Hyun-ahh
  • Nongshims Shin Ramyun marks 40 years with 20 trillion won in cumulative sales
    Nongshim's Shin Ramyun marks 40 years with 20 trillion won in cumulative sales SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - Instant noodle maker Nongshim has achieved a milestone of more than 20 trillion won (about US$13.8 billion) in cumulative sales of its flagship Shin Ramyun since it first went on sale about 40 years ago, the company said on Wednesday. First hitting store shelves in October 1986, Shin Ramyun became the top-selling instant noodle brand in South Korea in 1991 and has held the top spot ever since, with cumulative sales volume reaching about 42.5 billion packs. "It is proof that we have been part of consumers' daily lives in South Korea as well as around the world for 40 years," said CEO Jo Yong-chul at an event in Seoul, touting it as a "rare milestone for a single food brand" in the country. "What Shin Ramyun has built is ultimately time, memories, and moments in people's lives," he added. He then recalled the late Shin Choon-ho, the company's founder, citing him as saying, "Korean flavors will become the most global flavors." Cho also unveiled ambitious plans to raise sales to 7.3 trillion won by 2030 while increasing the share of overseas revenue to more than 60 percent. He pointed to the upcoming completion of an export-dedicated factory in Busan, the company's expanding confectionery business in the U.S. market, and diversification into new business areas as reasons for optimism. The company has also been boosting its global marketing and promotional activities. "Shin Ramyun has become a product representing Korean culture beyond just food," a Nongshim executive said, citing its first advertisement featuring K-pop girl group aespa, which drew more than 500 million views worldwide shortly after its release. To mark the 40th anniversary, a new product called "Shin Ramyun Rose" is set to go on sale next week in South Korea and Japan, with plans to expand into global markets starting in June. Nongshim said it spent about four years planning and developing the new variant, which blends tomato and cream sauces for a milder taste compared with the signature spicy original, in a bid to broaden its appeal to overseas consumers. The company also plans to open space in Seoul's hip, trendy neighborhood of Seongsu next month, where young people and foreign visitors can sample its products. "Today's consumers are not just looking for one tasty product," Cho said, stressing a multi-faceted approach to meet their diverse needs, whether health-conscious, convenience-seeking, or culturally driven. "Nongshim will become a company that can satisfy any consumer taste through noodles, no matter what flavors they want," he vowed, reminding that its achievement of exporting to about 100 countries and becoming a top-five brand in the global instant noodle market did not come easily. 2026-05-13 15:42:31
  • Fake K-ramen Spreads to Nepal with Korean Branding
    Fake K-ramen Spreads to Nepal with Korean Branding "Feels like a Korean store"... Counterfeit Korean ramen floods Nepali resort On May 8, at a supermarket in Pokhara, Nepal, a popular tourist destination just a 10-minute walk from Phewa Lake, the ramen aisle was the first thing to catch the eye. Most of the products on the shelves featured Korean writing, creating a familiar atmosphere reminiscent of a Korean grocery store. Upon closer inspection, however, a strange sense of unease emerged. While the products appeared to be Korean, they were actually from local and overseas brands. The most notable was a stir-fried noodle product branded as 'HANKOOK.' Its design, featuring a black background with a chicken character breathing fire, strongly evoked Samyang Foods' Buldak Bokkeummyeon. The English label 'BULDAK' and the product name 'Buldak Bokkeummyeon' were nearly identical, and the phrase 'Taste of Korea' was placed where a 'Made in Korea' mark would typically appear, adding to the confusion. The original product, along with its pink-packaged counterpart, was being sold under the same guise. As I continued to browse the aisle, more similar products caught my attention. The use of Korean writing varied widely. The Nepali ramen brand 'Current' prominently displayed the word '현재' (meaning 'current') on its packaging, while 'Jackpot' included the phrase '공동자금' (meaning 'joint fund'), which was completely unrelated to ramen. Many products emphasized spiciness by incorporating Korean words. Phrases like '악마의' (meaning 'devil's') and '라라 매콤한' (meaning 'spicy') were scattered throughout the shelves. A local store employee remarked, "The important thing is that it has Korean writing; it creates a perception that it’s a Korean ramen, which increases its popularity." Consumer reactions were similar. Robin, a 28-year-old from India, selecting products in front of the shelf, said, "I didn’t know the HANKOOK product was a knockoff. I just assumed it was Korean ramen because it had Korean writing on it." He added, "I chose it because it was cheaper than the original." From Southeast Asia to Japan... The resurgence of 'K-style' products without clear nationality This phenomenon is not limited to Nepal. As the popularity of K-food rises, local products across Asia are increasingly adopting Korean-style packaging and Korean writing. This trend goes beyond merely importing and selling Korean products; local companies are actively mimicking the design and naming conventions of Korean ramen. A prominent example is in the Indian market. The large food company ITC is selling 'Daebak Ramen' under its instant noodle brand 'Yippee.' The product prominently features the Korean word '대박' (meaning 'big hit') on the front, using a striking black and red color scheme to emphasize the image of spicy Korean ramen. The word 'Korean' is also included to highlight the concept of Korean ramen. Indonesia is witnessing a similar trend. The local ramen brand Mie Sedaap has introduced a product concept called 'Korean Seasoned Dak Galbi Ramen,' featuring the Korean phrase '양념 닭갈비' (meaning 'seasoned chicken galbi') on its packaging and emphasizing flavors of smokiness and spiciness with a red color design. Japan, known as the birthplace of instant ramen, is also not exempt. Local brands in Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets prominently display products labeled 'Korean Jjamppong' and 'Korean-style ramen.' Many products feature Korean writing more prominently than Japanese, or use red and black designs to emphasize the image of spicy Korean ramen. Nissin Foods, Japan's largest ramen company, has previously faced controversy. Its 2023 product 'Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O. Stir-fried Noodles Korean-style Sweet and Spicy Carbonara' received criticism for its pink packaging and product concept being similar to Samyang Foods' 'Carbonara Buldak Bokkeummyeon.' The use of the Korean term '볶음면' (meaning 'stir-fried noodles') in the product name also drew attention. Industry experts attribute this trend to the success of K-ramen, particularly centered around Shin Ramyeon and Buldak Bokkeummyeon. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, K-food exports reached a record high of $13.62 billion last year, a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Notably, ramen exports surged by 21.9% to exceed $1.52 billion, marking the first time a single item surpassed the $1 billion mark. The growth trend continues this year, with ramen exports in the first quarter reaching $435 million, a 26.4% increase from the previous year. “Image theft while evading legal frameworks”... Food industry faces brand erosion The food industry views the recent trend of 'borrowing Korean writing' abroad as a significant change rather than a mere fad. In the past, packaging typically featured English and local languages, but now Korean writing and the label 'KOREA' itself are becoming key elements that enhance product competitiveness. However, with this increased prominence comes growing concern about brand erosion. According to Samyang Foods, the popularity of Buldak Bokkeummyeon has led to a rapid increase in imitation products. While past imitations often involved direct copying of logos or characters, recent trends show a clever evasion of legal regulations. A representative from Samyang Foods stated, "Recently, there are many cases where the unique color combinations or packaging designs of our brand are closely mimicked to confuse consumers. They may slightly alter the details of mascot characters or insert phrases like 'Korean-style spiciness' to make them appear authentic." A representative from Nongshim noted, "In the past, many cases involved directly copying product names, but now we see more instances of cleverly imitating designs, colors, and overall ambiance. Since they don't directly replicate trademarks, legal responses are becoming more complicated." The industry is monitoring similar products through local distribution networks and consumer reports, taking legal action such as sending warning letters and administrative measures. Registration of trademark rights and packaging design copyrights is also expanding in key countries. One industry insider remarked, "While the rising status of K-food is encouraging, the malicious imitation that confuses consumers with Korean products is a serious issue that undermines brand value in the long term." 2026-05-11 17:06:57
  • BBQ Opens First Store in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Expanding into Central Asia
    BBQ Opens First Store in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Expanding into Central Asia Genesis BBQ has opened its first store in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking its entry into the Central Asian market. This is the first time BBQ has expanded into this region. On May 11, BBQ announced the opening of its Mega Almaty location in the southern part of Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, within the MEGA Alma-Ata shopping mall. The store covers approximately 78 square meters and is located on the second floor food court of the mall. It offers a variety of menu items, including Golden Fried Chicken, the seasoned "Secret Sauce Chicken," chicken burgers, tteokbokki, and set menus. The menu also features "UFO Chicken," which includes chicken served with cheddar cheese fondue, targeting local consumers. Almaty is recognized as Kazakhstan's largest city and a key economic hub in Central Asia. The city has a well-developed dining, franchise, and retail industry, making it a prime location for global brands entering Kazakhstan. With a concentration of finance, trade, and tourism industries, the demand for dining out in the evenings is high, and the presence of major universities contributes to a strong market of young people and international students. The Mega Alma-Ata shopping mall, where BBQ has opened, is one of the largest shopping centers in Central Asia, with a total area of about 180,000 square meters. It attracts around 10 million visitors annually and is considered a central business district that draws university students, professionals, and tourists. BBQ plans to accelerate its expansion across Kazakhstan, starting with Almaty. The company aims to open an additional 20 stores in key commercial areas by the end of the first half of the year and intends to enter the capital city of Astana in the third quarter. Based on this strategy, BBQ aims to have 100 local stores open by the end of the year. A BBQ representative stated, "This entry into Kazakhstan is a result of public-private collaboration achieved through cooperation with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). We plan to strengthen our presence in the Central Asian market by expanding our business to major cities like Astana, starting from Almaty."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 14:48:32
  • Bibigo Booth Draws Attention at KCON Japan 2026 with Dumplings and Photo Ops
    Bibigo Booth Draws Attention at KCON Japan 2026 with Dumplings and Photo Ops CJ CheilJedang announced on May 11 that it participated in KCON JAPAN 2026, held from May 8 to 10 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, showcasing an interactive booth featuring its global K-food brand, Bibigo. The booth was themed around "Happy Bibigo Day" in collaboration with the K-pop group Zero Base One. It combined the group's signature blue color with the Bibigo brand image and featured a large cake installation that created a festive birthday party atmosphere, attracting the attention of attendees. At the Bibigo food truck zone, visitors could enjoy a set menu featuring the popular Japanese products, dumplings and Micho. Long lines formed in front of the food truck, with approximately 20,000 products sold during the event. CJ CheilJedang views Japan as a key strategic market for the global expansion of K-food and is intensifying its local efforts. In September of last year, the company invested about 100 billion won to complete a dumpling production facility in Kisarazu, Chiba. This marked the first time a domestic food company established a production facility in Japan. The new product, "Bibigo Dumpling Gyoza," produced at the Chiba factory, generated approximately 700 million won in sales in its first month of March and quickly entered over 6,000 major retail channels in the region. As a result, Bibigo dumplings surpassed a 10% market share in Japan's dumpling market for the first time as of March this year. Currently, CJ CheilJedang products, including Bibigo dumplings, are sold through about 40,000 retail channels and online platforms in Japan, including Aeon, Don Quijote, and Costco. A CJ CheilJedang representative stated, "We felt a strong interest in Bibigo and K-food at this KCON event. We will continue to strengthen our position as a global representative K-food brand through various marketing activities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 14:45:32
  • Chinese Hot Pot, Malatang and Milk Tea Chains Rush Into South Korea
    Chinese Hot Pot, Malatang and Milk Tea Chains Rush Into South Korea Chinese-language food and beverage franchises are rapidly expanding their presence in South Korea’s dining market, with once-budget Chinese fare increasingly repositioned as trendy, premium spending through malatang, hot pot and milk tea. According to industry officials on April 29, Chinese milk tea brand Chagee plans to open stores simultaneously on April 30 in Gangnam, Sinchon and Yongsan. Chagee, which reinterprets traditional tea in a modern style, opened its first store in China’s Yunnan province in 2017 and has expanded quickly. It now operates about 7,000 stores across Greater China and in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the United States. Other tea brands have already entered South Korea. Chinese milk tea brand Chabaidao entered in 2024 and is preparing to open its 28th store. Heytea, which arrived around the same time, has expanded from Apgujeong to major retail districts including Hongdae, Myeongdong and Garosu-gil. Milk tea brand Misher, which entered in 2022, operates 16 stores centered on university areas in Seoul. Meal-focused brands are also growing. Hot pot chain Haidilao, which entered South Korea in 2014 with its first store in Myeongdong, has expanded to locations including Jeju and Daegu and now directly operates 11 stores nationwide. Despite a per-person check of about 40,000 to 60,000 won, it has drawn strong interest among younger consumers, with waits of more than three hours reported. Its sales rose 50.9% to 117.7 billion won last year from 78.1 billion won a year earlier, topping 100 billion won. Operating profit nearly doubled to 20.2 billion won from 11.0 billion won. Malatang franchise Tanghua Kungfu, which arrived in 2013, had 560 stores as of March, becoming the first malatang brand in South Korea to surpass 500 outlets. Sales rose 14.6% last year to 25.4 billion won, and operating profit increased to 11.0 billion won from 10.5 billion won. Its operating margin was 43.5%. Analysts link the overseas push to slowing growth at home. China’s National Bureau of Statistics said 2024 restaurant revenue rose 5.3% from a year earlier to 5.5718 trillion yuan, a sharp slowdown from growth above 20% in 2023. With competition intensifying in the domestic market, brands that already run thousands of stores are increasingly looking abroad. South Korea is seen as an attractive target because of strong consumer purchasing power and the speed at which trends spread on social media, helping new brands gain traction. Industry officials also point to the deep penetration of Chinese e-commerce platforms such as AliExpress, Temu and Shein, which they say makes it easier to gauge Korean consumer preferences and data. “South Korea is a market with strong cultural influence,” a representative of a Chinese-language dining brand said. “Success in Korea is seen as a signal that a brand can work in global markets, so it is viewed as an important test bed.” Some warn the trend could add pressure to South Korea’s dining industry as competition intensifies amid weak domestic demand. The number of franchised food-service outlets in South Korea rose 1.5% last year to 183,714, while the franchise closure rate hit a record 15.8%. “Chinese franchises enter the Korean market with experience operating large-scale stores and strong cost competitiveness,” a South Korean dining franchise official said. “For domestic brands and self-employed owners, the competitive environment is bound to become even tougher.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 17:35:17
  • Ourhome to Launch New Buffet Brand TAKE With First Seoul Location
    Ourhome to Launch New Buffet Brand TAKE With First Seoul Location Ourhome is entering the buffet market with a new brand built on nearly 30 years of food-service operating experience. The company said Tuesday it will open the first location of its new buffet brand, TAKE, on May 1 on the second basement level of the Youngpoong Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The restaurant has about 823 square meters (250 pyeong) of dedicated space and is connected to Jonggak Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. Ourhome said it expects demand from nearby office workers on weekdays and from visitors and tourists on weekends, citing proximity to areas such as Gwanghwamun, Insadong and Cheonggyecheon. The name TAKE comes from the film term for a unit of shooting, reflecting the company’s aim for the dining experience to remain as memorable as a scene in a movie. The store concept is a “global food market,” bringing together dishes from around the world to create a travel-like experience, the company said. The menu centers on “global gourmet stations” featuring signature dishes from different countries, offering about 130 items on weekends and holidays. Ourhome said it plans to continue introducing new dishes at each station that reflect national characteristics and current trends. A barbecue-focused area called “TAKE Grill” uses a rotisserie method, slowly roasting skewered ingredients while they turn. The company said the space is designed as a “live grill zone” where customers can watch food being prepared. Menu items include a pulled pork taco plate and smoked Texas barbecue ribs. Porchetta and chicken steak will be offered as “Golden Ticket” items for an additional 9,900 won. The restaurant will also run a content-style space called “Pop-up Table.” Ourhome said the first collaboration will be with Samyang Foods’ Buldak brand, followed by projects including collaborations with star chefs, “Meet the Celeb” featuring Ourhome’s Pyeonstorang convenience foods, and “Everyone’s Table” with long-established restaurant brands. Prices for adults are 23,900 won for weekday lunch and 29,900 won for weekday dinner; weekends and holidays are 32,900 won. To mark Family Month, Ourhome said it will run a “299 event” from May 1 to May 5, offering the weekend and holiday menu at the weekday dinner price of 29,900 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 15:06:09
  • Haitai’s Palazo Launches P.FREDDO Gelato Line for Convenience Stores
    Haitai’s Palazo Launches P.FREDDO Gelato Line for Convenience Stores Italian gelato brand Palazo is moving into convenience-store distribution, aiming to make premium gelato easier to buy. Haitai Confectionery said on the 29th it is launching P.FREDDO, a Palazo brand made exclusively for retail distribution channels. Sales begin at GS25 on the same day, with a buy-one-get-one-free promotion running through May. The company said this is the first case of gelato, rather than ice cream, being sold at a convenience store. Haitai Confectionery plans to expand placements to additional distribution channels within the year. P.FREDDO reflects the premium identity of Palazo’s parent brand, “Palazzo del Freddo.” The company said it emphasizes originality based on the tradition and know-how of the FASSI family, a Rome gelato maker whose craft has been passed down for five generations since 1880. Palazo previously relied on handmade production methods, making large-scale distribution difficult. Haitai Confectionery said upgraded facilities and accumulated manufacturing expertise now allow mass production while maintaining gelato’s distinctive texture, enabling sales beyond specialty shops and into everyday retail outlets such as convenience stores. The initial lineup includes two flavors: “Fresh Chocolate” and “Fresh Yogurt Strawberry.” The company said both were among the top-selling menu items at its stores and are designed to appeal to a broad range of consumers. It said the products reduce air content to preserve gelato’s chewy texture and highlight the natural flavors of ingredients such as fresh chocolate and fresh yogurt. A Palazo official said consumers can enjoy the original gelato’s chewy texture and flavor by leaving it at room temperature for about three minutes. The official added that the company will broaden distribution beyond GS25 and expand the product lineup to lead South Korea’s premium gelato market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 13:54:29
  • Binggrae-Lotte Wellfood Rivalry Heats Up Ahead of Peak Summer Ice Cream Season
    Binggrae-Lotte Wellfood Rivalry Heats Up Ahead of Peak Summer Ice Cream Season With the peak summer season approaching, South Korea’s two biggest frozen-dessert makers, Binggrae and Lotte Wellfood, are stepping up a fight for market leadership. Binggrae is betting that a merger with its subsidiary Haitai Ice Cream will deliver scale and help it reclaim the top spot, while Lotte Wellfood is countering with product upgrades and a heavier focus on overseas growth. According to the industry on the 28th, Binggrae completed the merger process with Haitai Ice Cream on April 1, about five years after acquiring it in 2020. Food industry statistics show that in 2024 Binggrae held 27.6% of the domestic frozen-dessert market and Haitai Ice Cream 14.1%. Combined, that totals 41.7%, putting it ahead of market leader Lotte Wellfood at 39.9% and raising expectations of a shift in the competitive landscape. Binggrae plans to integrate sales and logistics networks that had been split across the two companies, reduce overlapping costs and improve operating efficiency. It is also reorganizing its product lineup, consolidating overlapping categories around best-known flagship items and expanding joint purchasing of raw and packaging materials to improve its cost structure. Major brands such as Melona, Together, Bravo Cone and Babamba will be run under a single corporate entity, which the company expects will create synergies. The company is also accelerating its overseas push. Binggrae plans to use its recently established Australian unit as a hub linking Oceania and Europe, adding to its presence in the United States, China and Vietnam. Its U.S. unit posted local sales of 97 billion won last year, helped by Melona’s popularity. In Europe, first-half 2024 sales of plant-based Melona were three times the total for all of 2023, the company said. Products from Haitai Ice Cream, which lacked a dedicated overseas organization, are also expected to expand exports by using Binggrae’s global distribution network. Lotte Wellfood is responding with a two-track product strategy centered on premium branding and an expanded wellness lineup. It is steadily broadening its zero- and low-sugar offerings to match health trends, while strengthening the premium World Cone line and expanding categories using its Pig Bar brand to raise the share of higher-priced products. Overseas, Lotte Wellfood is pursuing growth mainly in India. Its frozen-dessert sales in India rose about 3.3 times, from 58.7 billion won in 2020 to 196.6 billion won last year. With a new plant in Pune recently starting operations, the company aims to stabilize supply and expand its sales network beyond the west into the south, targeting 1 trillion won in sales by 2030. The intensifying rivalry comes as the market environment worsens. With South Korea’s low birthrate shrinking the core consumer base and prices rising for inputs such as raw milk and sugar, companies are finding it harder to grow and protect margins. Binggrae’s operating profit last year fell 32.7% from a year earlier to 88.3 billion won, while Lotte Wellfood’s dropped 30.3% to 109.5 billion won. An industry official said unpredictable weather linked to climate anomalies, a weak domestic economy and issues affecting naphtha supply are among the variables, but expectations for frozen-dessert sales remain high because heat has arrived earlier than usual and rainfall is forecast to be below average this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 18:00:12
  • Samyang Foundation Names Hwang Il-doo and Cho Sung-bae as 35th Sudang Award Winners
    Samyang Foundation Names Hwang Il-doo and Cho Sung-bae as 35th Sudang Award Winners Sudang Foundation, the scholarship foundation of Samyang Group, said on the 28th it selected Hwang Il-doo, Seokcheon Chair Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology, and Cho Sung-bae, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at Yonsei University, as winners of the 35th Sudang Award. The Sudang Award is an academic prize established in 1973 to honor the late Kim Yeon-su, founder of Samyang Corp., and his commitment to national industrial development and nurturing talent. Each year, two researchers who have contributed to academic advancement in South Korea are chosen to receive a plaque and 200 million won in prize money each. The awards ceremony will be held May 27 at Lotte Hotel Seoul. Hwang, the basic science winner, was recognized for achievements in plant developmental biology. He identified how the plant growth hormone cytokinin transmits signals and was the first in the world to show the hormone plays a key role in vascular development and the regulation of aging, a body of work credited with strengthening the theoretical foundation for understanding plant development. He also demonstrated that proteins derived from phloem, a plant tissue that transports nutrients, play an important role in determining leaf shape, helping establish a new framework for understanding the evolution of vascular plants. Hwang has previously received the Macrogen Science Award, the Cargill Academy Life Science Award and the National Academy of Sciences Award, among others. Cho, the applied science winner, was honored for using hybrid artificial intelligence technologies to help solve problems in industrial settings. He proposed a method that analyzes data patterns and shifting trends at the same time by combining convolutional neural networks with long short-term memory recurrent neural networks. In research on forecasting household energy demand, he succeeded in producing stable predictions based on real electricity-use data even across variables such as time of day, weather and living patterns. The work, cited for its potential to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs, was highly regarded in academia and was selected in 2020 as a top 1% most-cited paper in the journal "Energy." Cho has also advanced applied research including behavior recognition using smartphone sensors, mobile-based landmark detection and models for classifying vehicle noise. He has received the Korea Information Science Society Academic Award and the Order of Service Merit, and has served as chair of the Technology Innovation Subcommittee under the presidential National Artificial Intelligence Committee. The Sudang Award began in 1973 as the "Sudang Science Award" and was renamed after the launch of Sudang Foundation in 2006. It operates by accepting recommendations in basic science, humanities and social sciences, and applied science, then selecting two researchers with outstanding achievements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:58:39
  • Korean Food and Dining Brands Target May Holiday Demand With Value Deals and Takeout
    Korean Food and Dining Brands Target May Holiday Demand With Value Deals and Takeout With an early May stretch of holidays approaching and the timing of government payments to offset high fuel prices, South Korean food and dining companies are stepping up spring promotions in hopes of a pickup in spending. Companies expect more outings during the holidays and are emphasizing convenient, portable options for outdoor activities. Value-focused offers tied to May’s Family Month are also expected to influence consumer demand. Industry officials said April 28 that as applications opened for the high-fuel-price relief payments, franchise restaurants began posting signs at entrances saying the payments can be used there, aiming to draw customers. Headquarters are also promoting the option through company apps, websites and distributed marketing materials, reflecting expectations that the funds, like last year’s consumer coupons, will flow quickly into restaurants where spending is immediate. Brands are also pushing to capture customers outside stores as spring and the holiday period bring more travelers. Outback Steakhouse rolled out three “Lunch Box” sets nationwide, targeting group meals for corporate events and picnics. It also added an app-based advance reservation service so customers can pick up orders at a preferred time and location. Delivery-heavy brands, including chicken chains, are moving to lock in demand with discount promotions. KFC is running a value-menu “KFC Snack” campaign to attract grab-and-go snack purchases. Hyundai Green Food introduced “Greeting” ready-to-cook items designed for use at camping sites, positioning them for outdoor dining. Competition is also expected to intensify in the cake market, as May includes multiple gift-giving occasions. Paris Baguette introduced a “Blue Rose Cake,” symbolizing “miracles” and “hope,” along with an object-style gift item designed not to wither, and is offering a 10,000-won set discount for app preorders. Tous les Jours is selling flower-themed cakes such as “Flower Montmartre” and character cakes, while offering up to 30% off for app reservations and running a 100% payback event to boost digital orders. Twosome Place launched a “Flower Yogurt Cake” shaped like a red rose and is providing discount coupons to customers who preorder through its app. Discount campaigns aimed at gift demand are also heating up. Jung Kwan Jang is offering up to 15% off popular red ginseng products through May 16 and providing point rewards based on purchase amounts as part of a Family Month promotion. hy is running a health-food promotion that offers up to 43% off, reward points and free shipping when customers use its gifting function. The Hanwoo Self-Sufficiency Fund Management Committee is holding an “online hanwoo market” through the 30th, selling Grade 1 sirloin at a special price of 7,120 won per 100 grams and offering discounted prices on other cuts. “With holidays and the relief payments expected to help restore consumer sentiment, we will raise customer satisfaction with differentiated products and services that reflect trends,” a distribution industry official said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:51:24