Korea’s signature spices, sauces: niche market becomes fierce global battleground

As Korean sauces draw global popularity, multinationals such as Kraft Heinz, Unilever, Lee Kum Kee and McCormick & Co. are also pitching in

A Dongwon Home Food outlet selling Vivid Kichen brand food
A Dongwon Home Food outlet selling Vivid Kichen brand food
Yun-Sang Ko 3
2025-09-04 20:25:08 kys@hankyung.com
Korean food

Disputes have recently erupted in South Korea over the runaway success of Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters, centering on one issue: That it's all foreign – the producers and the money to make the film capitalizing on the popularity of K-culture, or anything that’s Korean.

Korean dining chains sweep across US, boon for K-sauce  

Korean dining chains sweep across US, boon for K-sauce  

KPOT promo picture on the company website (Courtesy of KPOT)  Korean dining chains are springing up across the US, fueled by health-conscious eating trends and the surging influence of Korean pop culture, boosting expectations for a rise in exports of Korean sauces and condiments.According

After KPop Demon Hunters, it’s the era of K-everything; what’s next?

After KPop Demon Hunters, it’s the era of K-everything; what’s next?

KPop Demon Hunters is currently the most streamed movie on Netflix globally (Courtfesy of Netflix) Global enthusiasm for Korean culture and products has reached an unprecedented pitch, with Internet searches for words starting with the letter K – from K-pop to K-cosmetics, K-food and K-tr

Gochujang, fiery seasonings: K-sauces go viral among adventurous foreign palates

Gochujang, fiery seasonings: K-sauces go viral among adventurous foreign palates

Gochujang, fermented Korean chili paste, is increasingly popular abroad Once an afterthought in the global food trade, South Korea’s signature spices and sauces, ranging from fiery gochujang to fermented doenjang, are now at the forefront of K-wave's culinary export boom.Across the globe,

India: Tantalizing frontier for K-food’s global ambitions beyond China

India: Tantalizing frontier for K-food’s global ambitions beyond China

K-pop girl group NewJeans are the global brand ambassadors of Pepero, Lotte Wellfood's iconic chocolate-covered pretzel stick South Korea’s processed food exports to India have surged to a record 6 trillion won ($4.1 billion), marking a significant milestone in the growing appetite for K-

Daesang launches K-style chicken dipping sauces

Daesang launches K-style chicken dipping sauces

South Korea’s Daesang Corp. announced on Tuesday that its global food brand O’food launched two new chicken dipping sauces Swicy (sweet and spicy) Gochujang, and Smoky K-BBQ.The company explained that these new sauces were developed to bring the taste of Korean-style fried chicken

Samyang Foods aims to grow Buldak sauce into $75 mn brand

Samyang Foods aims to grow Buldak sauce into $75 mn brand

South Korea's Samyang Foods Co. announced on Monday that it will strengthen its sauce business centered around its popular Buldak (hot chicken flavor) sauce, as part of its efforts to discover new growth drivers. According to the company's business report, sales of its sauce and seasoning ingr

Korea's signature sauce gochujang goes global, riding on K-wave

Korea's signature sauce gochujang goes global, riding on K-wave

South Korea’s food exports have surged on the back of Korean dramas, more popularly known as K-dramas, gaining global popularity particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. International viewers have taken an interest in cooking Korean dishes featured in K-dramas, leading to a rise i

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