The Trend for Chobok is 'Home Meal Replacements'... Fierce Competition in the Food Industry for Health-Boosting Foods

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] The competition among food companies for home meal replacements (HMR) targeting the summer "Sambok" period is heating up. This is due to a significant increase in consumers who prefer to enjoy nutritious meals easily at home instead of dining out amid COVID-19 concerns.

According to Shinsegae Food on the 11th, sales of their product "Olban Samgyetang" in June increased by 81% compared to the same month last year. This is interpreted as a result of increased demand for convenient nutritious meals at home rather than dining out, as social distancing measures were extended due to the resurgence of COVID-19.

As demand for HMR nutritious foods rises, food and dining industries are continuously launching related products. Ourhome released a new nutritious soup HMR product, "Boneless Galbitang," completing their "Premium Galbitang Lineup" with three varieties. The boneless galbitang features tender texture by removing beef rib meat into bite-sized pieces and heating it at a high temperature of 121 degrees Celsius.

Bon Appetit BF Bonjuk launched a new menu item, "Neungi Samgyetjuk." Neungi Samgyetjuk is a premium nutritious menu that stews a whole root of domestic fresh ginseng and neungi mushrooms?known for their richness in vitamins, moisture, protein, and blood-purifying properties?into samgyetjuk, a representative summer nutritious porridge.

Maeil Dairies Sangha Farm also entered the nutritious food market by releasing Sangha Farm Samgyetang. Sangha Farm Samgyetang uses 100% antibiotic-free domestic chicken. Additionally, it includes a whole root of ginseng from Geumsan and organic glutinous rice grown in Gochang, emphasizing its premium quality using local specialties.

Nutritious food products for infants and toddlers have also been launched. Lotte Foods Pasteur’s infant food brand "I Saenggak" introduced 10 types of nutritious weaning foods. These are composed of various ingredients that boost a child's energy, including abalone, a representative summer nutritious ingredient. The nutritious weaning food menus feature diverse meal plans using abalone sourced from Wando as the main ingredient.

Events for consumers seeking nutritious foods to prepare for the intensifying heat have also been held. CJ CheilJedang opened a summer promotional event at CJ The Market and major supermarkets nationwide, offering Bibigo Samgyetang, Chueotang, and other products at reasonable prices. CJ The Market is holding the "Summer Table" event until the 30th, offering up to 60% discounts on nutritious foods and refreshing summer products.

A food industry official explained, "Considering the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the expectation that this year's heat will be severe, a variety of convenient nutritious HMR products are emerging."

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