[Easy Meal] The Transformation of Banchan

A Hearty Table Setting from Jangjorim and Stir-fried Dried Squid Strips to Side Dishes and Grilled Fish

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] HMR, which was traditionally represented by rice and noodles, is diversifying to offer a full table setting from traditional side dishes to fish. HMR such as seasoned vegetable rice and soybean paste stew rice, which are simple yet healthy meals, are appealing to consumers' varied tastes.

Enjoy Side Dishes and Grilled Fish as Convenient Meals

According to the “2019 Processed Food Submarket Status Report” by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the domestic side dish market size exceeded 2 trillion won as of 2019. Last year, the market size is believed to have grown further due to the increase in home meal consumers caused by COVID-19. The report predicted that by 2022, the HMR market size, including side dishes, is likely to approach 5 trillion won.

The food industry is also releasing various differentiated side dish products to target the rapidly growing home meal consumers.

CJ CheilJedang offers five representative Bibigo side dish products: △beef jangjorim (soy-braised beef) △dried radish strips salad △stir-fried shredded squid △beef and shishito pepper jangjorim △Bibigo nut and anchovy stir-fry. Last year, they introduced Bibigo grilled fish, consisting of mackerel, flounder, Spanish mackerel, pollack, and saury. CJ CheilJedang plans to expand the production infrastructure for ‘Bibigo Grilled Fish.’

Complete a Meal with Convenient Foods

Dongwon F&B is presenting side dishes through its Korean food brand ‘Yangban’ and is targeting the market by listing various product lines on the online grocery market ‘The Banchan&.’ In December last year, they launched four new Yangban jangjorim products: ‘whole octopus jangjorim,’ ‘beef jangjorim,’ ‘pork jangjorim,’ and ‘quail egg jangjorim.’

They are also actively strengthening their presence on the online grocery market The Banchan&. In August last year, they introduced the seafood HMR brand ‘Susan Myungga’ to The Banchan&, selling five HMR products: △thick fresh salmon sashimi △two types of boneless grilled fish (mackerel, tuna) △two ready-to-eat seafood items (blanched octopus, boiled conch).

Lotte Foods offers healthy meals through its integrated diet management brand ‘Chef Food Seven Days Plan.’ After launching four products in May last year, they added three new products this year, bringing the total to seven. The products released this year via the crowdfunding platform ‘Wadiz’ are △five kinds of seasoned vegetable bibimbap △tofu soybean paste stew rice bowl △chicken breast tomato platter. These meals focus on the basics of Korean cuisine, centered on various vegetables and fermented sauces, delivering delicious meals.

Calories and dietary fiber are also carefully designed. Although these products allow you to eat rice and side dishes at once, their calorie content is similar to a regular bowl of rice. A typical 200g bowl of rice contains about 292 kcal, but the newly released products all have around 300 kcal, balancing taste and health.

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