In Chilly Weather, Soup Is Perfect... Food and Dining Industry Soup Menu Sales Also 'Soar'

Earlier Cold Snap Than Usual Boosts Soup Sales at CJ, School Food, and More
Targeting Consumer Tastes with New Product Launches and Existing Product Renewals

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Due to the earlier-than-usual cold weather compared to last year, consumers seeking warm soup dishes have significantly increased. In response, the food and dining industries are launching new winter menus faster than usual to capture consumer tastes.

On the 16th, School Food Delivery, a premium delivery-only snack franchise operated by the comprehensive dining company SF Innovation, announced that sales of warm soup menu items have surged sharply due to the sudden drop in temperature.

As of the 31st of last month, sales of winter soup menu items at School Food Delivery increased by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year, with the ‘95.7% Eomuk Udon’ menu sales soaring by more than 62%.

Regarding this sharp increase in sales, a School Food Delivery representative said, “Compared to last year, the cold weather arrived faster than expected this year, which seems to be the reason for the noticeable rise in orders for warm soup menus.”

Lee Yang-yeol, CEO of School Food, stated, “Usually, demand for warm soup menus increases from mid-November when outdoor activities decrease due to the onset of severe cold, but this year the cold arrived somewhat earlier. Accordingly, we have prepared to launch new winter menus faster than usual to secure franchise sales during the winter season.”

CJ CheilJedang announced that sales of ‘soup noodles’ products such as Katsuobushi Udon and Bibigo Kalguksu in October increased by about 50% compared to the same period last year.

CJ CheilJedang has completed proactive preparations targeting the expansion of demand for ‘soup noodles’ during the winter season to capture consumer tastes. Through thorough consumer research, they identified the need for smaller portion products and introduced single-serving versions of ‘Bibigo Kalguksu’ and ‘Gourmet Jjamppong.’ These allow consumers to enjoy restaurant-level quality with abundant ingredients at reasonable prices.

The taste quality of ‘Gourmet Jjamppong’ was also renewed. Based on consumer feedback since its launch, the noodles and broth flavors were improved. The dough’s vacuum level was enhanced to make the noodle texture denser and chewier. The broth was enriched with more seafood flavor than the previous product to deliver the refreshing and clean taste of specialty restaurant jjamppong. The renewal also features generous vegetables and large squid pieces.

CJ CheilJedang plans to focus on capturing segmented consumer tastes by promoting various products including flagship items like Katsuobushi Udon, Bibigo Kalguksu, and Gourmet Jjamppong, as well as Mala Tangmyeon and rice noodles. They will also operate planned products and various bundles that pair well with each menu, such as Kalguksu with Bibigo dumplings, Mala Tangmyeon, and Baeksul flat noodles, concentrating on expanding sales during the peak season.

A CJ CheilJedang official said, “Unlike last winter, which was the warmest on record, this year is expected to see significant temperature drops and fluctuations, so we anticipate an increase in consumers seeking soup noodle products. We will continue to strive to develop products that allow consumers to conveniently enjoy restaurant-level taste quality at home.”

The dining industry is also strengthening its lineup of spicy and hot soup menu items that warm the body in cold weather to attract customers’ tastes.

The Seolleongtang brand ‘Hanchon Seolleongtang’ has enhanced its lineup of spicy soup dishes by consecutively launching Spicy Doganitang and Yanggomtang this year alongside the existing Spicy Seolleongtang menu. These dishes feature spicy and hot broth flavors with added spiciness, but each menu offers differentiation to broaden consumer choices for spicy soup dishes.

The lunchbox brand ‘Bondo Lunchbox’ has reintroduced its hit menu, Jjamppong Sundubu. This dish is characterized by its reinterpretation of the universally loved soft tofu stew with a smoky jjamppong flavor. The seafood broth, made with clams and squid, adds a refreshing taste. The combination of jjamppong and soft tofu stew delivers a spicy and hot flavor, making it a perfect dish for cold weather.

The specialty noodle restaurant ‘Jeil Jemyunso’ has expanded its to-go hot pot menu lineup so that customers can enjoy spicy soup dishes at home or outdoors. The newly introduced menus include ‘Hanwoo Noodle Hot Pot’ and ‘Autumn Songi Hanwoo Noodle Hot Pot,’ which combine savory and chewy Korean beef brisket, various vegetables, and mushrooms to create a spicy and rich flavor. These are available in 2-3 person servings for a hearty meal. Additionally, the existing single-serving to-go hot pot menus, ‘Spicy King Dumpling Hot Pot’ and ‘Assorted Udon Hot Pot,’ have also been released in 2-3 person sizes separately.

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