[Today's New Product] Convenience Stores Now Sell Gochu Dadaegi... CU Launches 'Paldo Banchan' Series

CU Launches 'Paldo Banchan' Featuring Regional Specialty Side Dishes
Two New 'Rice Thief' Regional Side Dishes Introduced
HMR 'Paldo Hankki' Series Expands into the Side Dish Category

BGF Retail announced on the 4th that its convenience store chain CU will expand the 'Paldo Hankki' series of home meal replacements (HMR), which feature local specialty concepts, into the side dishes category.

Paldo Hankki is a specialized HMR brand launched by CU in September 2021 to allow customers to enjoy representative dishes from across Korea at their neighborhood convenience stores. Since then, CU has released more than 60 representative soup dishes from across the country, such as Gangneung-style Jjamppong Sundubu, Uijeongbu-style Budae Jjigae, Suwon-style Ugeoji Gamjatang, and Green Onion Naju Gomtang, achieving cumulative sales of 10 million units to date.

BGF Retail's convenience store CU announced on the 4th that it will expand the 'Paldo Hankki' series of home meal replacements (HMR) with a local specialty concept into the side dishes category. Provided by BGF Retail

Previously, BGF Retail noted the high rate of joint purchases between HMR products and side dishes during the planning of new products. The subcategory of side dishes known as 'banchan' has been showing steady growth recently. Over the past three years, year-on-year sales in CU's banchan category increased by 22% in 2023, 20.9% last year, and 33.7% from January to October this year, showing significant annual growth.

Amid this trend, CU has launched the 'Paldo Banchan' series, specializing in banchan. Paldo Banchan is CU's differentiated side dish brand that allows customers to conveniently enjoy regionally inspired side dishes with the concept of 'rice thief'-dishes that pair perfectly with rice. The products are packaged in containers and offered at a reasonable price of under 3,000 won.

The first lineup includes two products: 'Yeosu-style Godulbaegi Nakji Bibim' and 'Geochang-style Anchovy Chili Mix.' Yeosu-style Godulbaegi Nakji Bibim is a Jeolla-style mixed jeotgal that combines seasoned godulbaegi with marinated octopus. Geochang-style Anchovy Chili Mix is a Gyeongsang-style side dish made by simmering anchovies with chopped Cheongyang chili peppers. It is popularly referred to as 'Gochu Dadaegi' or 'Gochu Mul' on social media and is used not only as a side dish for rice but also as a filling for gimbap or a garnish for noodles.

Bong Sua, MD of the HMR team at BGF Retail, said, "As solo dining becomes more common and demand for home meal replacements increases, side dishes are emerging as a new growth axis alongside soups, stews, and rice. Going forward, CU will continue to deliver new flavors and enjoyment to customers through differentiated products that capture the unique tastes and stories of each region."

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