"From Modumjeon to Japchae"... Convenience Stores Sell Holiday Ready Meals

CU, Last Year's Chuseok Lunchbox Sales Up 19.2%
GS25 Launches Hangawi Lunchbox and Japchae
Emart24 Offers Half-Price with Event Card Payment

Premium Korean Set Meal Lunchbox sold at CU.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chunhan] As the number of people spending Chuseok alone at home, known as ‘Honchujok,’ increases recently, convenience stores have launched campaigns targeting consumers with holiday ready-to-eat meals.

According to the industry on the 10th, CU’s Chuseok lunchbox sales increased by 19.2% compared to the previous year. During the same period, GS25 saw a 15.8% increase, 7-Eleven 20%, and Emart24 19%. During this year’s Lunar New Year, lunchbox sales also rose steadily every year, with CU up 15.2%, GS25 up 17.2%, 7-Eleven up 70%, and Emart24 up 11% compared to the previous year.

CU partnered with Hanguk-ui Jip to introduce premium Korean set meal lunchboxes such as Sogalbi Hansang (beef short rib set) and Sogogi Goldongban (beef assorted rice box). Both products used Hanguk-ui Jip’s signature menu to capture the specialness of holiday food, raising the quality and composition one step higher than regular lunchboxes. GS25 launched the Osaek Hangawi lunchbox containing seven side dishes including five-colored bibimbap wrapped in egg garnish, assorted jeon (Korean pancakes), chestnut tteokgalbi, assorted nut jorim, and plum pickles, as well as traditional japchae made with glass noodles stir-fried with shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and egg garnish. Emart24 sells the Hangawi Hansang lunchbox composed of representative holiday dishes such as assorted jeon, three-colored namul (seasoned vegetables), beef bulgogi, and japchae.

In line with the high inflation era, holiday lunchbox discounts and giveaways are also being held. CU is running a 50% discount event this month on all lunchbox products when purchased with KB Pay or Mirae Asset Pay. GS25 offers customers who purchase holiday ready meals until the 13th one item of either Birak Sikhye (sweet rice drink) or Goryeo Hong Sam Jeong (Korean red ginseng extract). At Emart24, holiday lunchboxes can be purchased at half price when paid with promotional cards this month.

A convenience store industry official said, “We prepared premium lunchboxes so that non-returning customers can easily and conveniently enjoy holiday food at convenience stores,” adding, “During the Chuseok holiday, we arranged tailored product assortments by location and strengthened promotions with benefits to meet the diverse demands of customers.”

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