Korea's First Snack 'Saewookkang' Turns 50, Total Sales Reach 8.3 Billion Packs... New Black Edition Released

Unrivaled No.1 in Snack Market, Cumulative Sales of 2.1 Trillion KRW
Launch of Saewookkang Black with Double Black Truffle and Shrimp Content

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Nongshim's representative snack, Saewookkang, has celebrated its 50th anniversary since its launch.

Korea's First Snack 'Saewookkang'

Saewookkang is Korea's first snack, launched in 1971. At that time, Nongshim researchers devoted a year to developing Saewookkang. The amount of flour used in development alone was 4.5 tons, equivalent to about 80 truckloads.

The secret to Saewookkang's unique savory taste lies in fresh shrimp. Each bag of Saewookkang contains 4 to 5 fresh shrimps measuring 5 to 7 cm. Nongshim chose to grind real fresh shrimp to maximize the shrimp's flavor and aroma. Additionally, it is made by baking using the heat of heated salt, creating a light and savory taste.

Beloved as a national snack for half a century, Saewookkang records annual sales of 90 billion KRW, maintaining its position as the number one snack in the market. Over the past 50 years, cumulative sales have reached 2.1 trillion KRW, with a total of 8.3 billion bags sold.

Launch of Saewookkang Black

Nongshim launched a new product, ‘Saewookkang Black,’ an upgraded, premium version of Saewookkang, on the 12th. Saewookkang Black is characterized by the addition of truffle, one of the world's three major ingredients, adding a sophisticated flavor. Truffles, which grow underground, cannot be artificially cultivated and are difficult to harvest, making them a precious ingredient. They have a unique taste and aroma, making them popular among consumers who want to enjoy dishes in a distinctive and luxurious way. Accordingly, Nongshim incorporated Italian black truffle, considered a high-end truffle, to create Saewookkang Black.

The shrimp content was also doubled compared to the original. Since consumers cite the ‘distinctive savory taste from using fresh shrimp’ as a reason for enjoying Saewookkang, the shrimp content was significantly increased to further emphasize Saewookkang’s appeal. The shape has also been renewed. Saewookkang Black is thinner in thickness than the original Saewookkang but 1.5 times wider, making it crispier.

The packaging design uses black and gold colors to match the product name Saewookkang Black, creating a luxurious feel. In particular, reflecting the recent growing social interest in environmental protection, Nongshim participated in eco-friendly management by using recycled plastic materials (R-PET).

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