Difficult Summer Cooking, Cool 'Meokcance' Foods on the Rise

Increasing Number of People Avoid Cooking by Fire in the Heat
Cheongjeongwon Cooking Soy Sauce 3 Types Q1 Sales Up About 23%
Konjac Burrito, Cheese Balls and Other Convenient Meals and Snacks Also Popular

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] The summer vacation scene is changing. Last month, job portal JobKorea conducted a survey on ‘summer vacation plans’ targeting 1,023 office workers, and found that less than one in ten (9.1%) responded that they were planning a summer vacation. Following the spread of the ‘stay-at-home’ trend, more people are avoiding crowded places and spending leisurely time at home.

In particular, with an unprecedented heatwave forecast this year, the so-called ‘Meokcance (eating vacation),’ where people spend their vacation enjoying delicious food at home, is gaining attention as this summer’s vacation trend. Accordingly, the food industry is attracting attention by offering a variety of foods, from convenient products that reduce the hassle of cooking over fire in the heat to refreshing desserts.

◇“Convenient without additional seasoning” Summer specialty dishes using purpose-specific soy sauce= During the hot weather, cooking can be difficult, but using ‘purpose-specific sauces’ specialized for certain dishes can reduce the time and effort required for cooking. According to the industry on the 4th, as the home meal replacement (HMR) market has rapidly grown recently, demand for convenient seasonings and sauces has also increased. Daesang Cheongjeongwon launched a ‘purpose-specific soy sauce’ product in 2018 that allows easy seasoning depending on the type of dish, gaining popularity. Sales of the three types of ‘Hetsal-dam-eun Delicious Soy Sauce’ in the first quarter of this year increased by about 23% compared to the same period last year.

Cheongjeongwon’s three types of ‘Hetsal-dam-eun Delicious Soy Sauce’ include ▲‘Delicious when mixed’ ▲‘Delicious when tossed’ ▲‘Delicious when dipped,’ and were released in small 150g sizes considering storage and consumption convenience. These soy sauce sauces for bibim (mixed dishes), muchim (tossed dishes), and dipping, which are often eaten at home but cumbersome to make separately each time, can be enjoyed immediately without additional seasoning, which is a key factor in their popularity. In fact,

they are especially good for summer specialty dishes that stimulate the appetite. The ‘Delicious when mixed soy sauce,’ reminiscent of jangjorim (soy-braised beef), made by adding beef, onion, and ginger to brewed soy sauce, pairs well with simple soy sauce bibim noodles made on days with no appetite. The ‘Delicious when tossed soy sauce,’ made by adding pineapple to brewed soy sauce for a sweet and sour flavor, is perfect for crisp fresh kimchi using seasonal summer lettuce. The ‘Delicious when dipped soy sauce,’ made by adding vinegar and red chili to brewed soy sauce for a spicy and tangy dipping sauce, enhances the umami when added in appropriate amounts to the chewy acorn jelly salad, a representative summer delicacy.

◇“Completed without fire” Convenient snacks cooked with microwave and air fryer gaining popularity= Home meal replacements that can be cooked using only a microwave or air fryer without fire are also popular. Cheongjeongwon’s online specialty brand ‘Lightly’ recently introduced two types of convenient meals using ‘konjac,’ which is gaining attention as a healthy ingredient: ▲‘Hot Chicken Konjac Burrito’ with a mild spicy flavor from minced jalape?o ▲and ‘Barbecue Konjac Burrito’ with a rich flavor.

The konjac burrito is filled with chewy whole wheat tortilla, domestic chicken breast, konjac granules, and various vegetables, allowing intake of carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables all at once. In particular, it contains 18g of protein per serving (based on barbecue flavor), which easily covers 33% of the daily recommended protein intake. For preparation, tear the packaging slightly and heat in the microwave for about 1 minute 30 seconds, or cook in a preheated air fryer at 180°C for about 13 minutes to enjoy a burrito with a crispy exterior and moist interior.

A representative from Daesang’s online business division said, “As more people spend their vacations at home to avoid the summer heat, products that can be easily cooked using a microwave or air fryer are receiving much attention,” adding, “We will continue to introduce products that combine taste and convenience so consumers can enjoy a cool and comfortable ‘Meokcance.’”

Recently, Pulmuone Foods launched two types of cheese balls: ‘Mozzarella Cheese Ball’ and ‘An Cream Cheese Ball.’ The mozzarella cheese ball uses 100% natural mozzarella cheese, honey, and aged natural provolone cheese to add deep flavor, while the an cream cheese ball contains red bean paste and New Zealand natural cream cheese for a sweet and slightly salty taste. These products feature specially developed bread crumbs for cheese balls to enhance crispiness and dough that maintains a chewy texture. After preheating the air fryer, cook at 160°C for about 8?9 minutes to complete, or for simpler preparation, heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds per piece.

◇Refreshing fruit desserts catch the eye= Cool desserts to beat the heat are also indispensable. Global fruit brand Dol Korea introduced the premium ice bar ‘Cantaloupe Melon Bar,’ made by freezing cantaloupe melon flesh as is. This product is made by freezing 100% pure fruit on a stick without any additives, preserving the original flavor of cantaloupe melon. Carefully selected Peruvian cantaloupe melon with a balanced sweetness and acidity offers an even more outstanding taste and aroma, and as it slowly melts, it delivers a rich flavor, allowing you to enjoy it deliciously from start to finish.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.