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Global Famous Foods Easing the Regret of Overseas Travel
Introducing Menus and Spaces Featuring the Emotions and Delicacies of Major Travel Destinations

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] The food and beverage industry is focusing on menus and spaces themed around famous overseas delicacies to target the ‘Hyupojok’?those who have given up overseas vacations this summer due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As the peak summer vacation season approaches but all flights to major overseas tourist destinations have been cut off, companies are trying to soothe Hyupojok consumers with menus and spaces that capture local sensibilities.

According to the industry on the 12th, the cafe brand Dalkom recently launched a season-limited menu called ‘Fresh Grapefruit Mojito’ to mark the start of the summer vacation period. This menu reinterprets the ‘Mojito’ from Cuba, a representative summer resort in North America, using Dalkom’s signature fruit, grapefruit. The combination of fresh grapefruit and the refreshing mint-scented soda offers a sweet and tangy refreshment that blows away the heat and stress. As a non-alcoholic mojito, anyone regardless of age or gender can enjoy a drink that evokes the romantic atmosphere of the Caribbean Sea.

There are also cafes attracting Hyupojok customers not only with menus but with exotic-themed spaces. Dalkom Busan Songjeong branch operates as a panoramic ocean-view cafe where visitors can enjoy warm sunlight and sea views with coffee during the day, then transforms into a trendy lounge bar after sunset, giving the feeling of being at a famous overseas surfer beach.

As a special store located in Busan Songjeong, a domestic surfing hotspot, it offers food and drinks inspired by overseas surfers’ sensibilities, such as ‘Surfer Hot Dog,’ ‘Big Wave,’ ‘Longboard,’ and ‘Pink Oceans Cream.’ At night, the large outdoor terrace space illuminated by colorful lights features a charming pool, sunbeds, and a DJ booth for live performances, allowing visitors to enjoy a trendy and exotic atmosphere.

SPC Samlip recently opened the first domestic store of ‘Eggslut,’ a famous sandwich brand from California, USA. Eggslut is known for its egg sandwiches that reinterpret fresh ingredients such as brioche buns, eggs, and sriracha mayo sauce. The first Eggslut store located in LA Downtown’s Grand Central Market is widely recognized as a must-visit spot for local tourists. SPC Samlip plans to replicate the manufacturing facilities, recipes, and ingredients at the same level as the US headquarters to present the authentic local taste and quality domestically.

Burger King launched two items, ‘Chili Crab Whole Shrimp’ and ‘Chili Crab Burger,’ which allow customers to experience the authentic taste of Singapore. These menus are inspired by Singapore’s representative dish ‘Chili Crab,’ which is rarely found in Korea, and maximize the exotic flavors of the local cuisine.

KFC recently added Indonesian ‘Chicken Skin Fries,’ which were sold as a limited item last year, to its regular menu nationwide. Originally sold only at some KFC stores in Jakarta, Indonesia, the chicken skin fries gained attention through social media last year and sparked a trend for special parts in Korea. The dish is made by frying only the skin from chicken breast, characterized by its salty taste and chewy yet crispy texture.

Major distribution channels such as convenience stores and large supermarkets are also introducing unique new menus to ease the disappointment of consumers who cannot travel abroad.

CU recently launched the ‘In-flight Meal Lunchbox Series.’ Just as airlines prepare various in-flight meals for customers who avoid certain foods, three types (pork, chicken, beef) were released. The witty naming such as ‘Pork Please,’ ‘Chicken Please,’ and ‘Beef Please’ captures the feeling of ordering a meal from a flight attendant. The lunchboxes come in aluminum containers instead of plastic to preserve the unique in-flight meal sensibility.

Emart is selling ‘Jin Air Cup Noodles’ and ‘Jin Air Rice Noodles’ in collaboration with Jin Air. Jin Air Cup Noodles have a mild spicy yukgaejang flavor that children can also enjoy. Jin Air Rice Noodles are made using a low-temperature aging method, featuring chewy noodles and a clean broth. Both products are available not only on Jin Air flights but also at Emart stores nationwide and online malls.

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