[Today's New Product] Low-GI Frozen Rice... Lotte Wellfood Launches "Siksairon Mixed Grain Rice Balls"

A blend of three grains: brown rice, barley, and glutinous rice
Entering the healthy frozen rice ball market and expanding product categories

Lotte Wellfood announced on September 18 that it has launched two types of “Siksairon Mixed Grain Rice Balls.” These frozen rice balls are made with low-GI mixed grains, catering to the “slow aging” trend that is spreading among younger consumers.

The “healthy frozen rice ball” category has recently shown the most notable growth in the frozen rice market. This popularity is driven by increased demand for home-cooked meals amid high inflation, as well as the rising number of “meal prep” consumers who prepare and carry their own lunchboxes.

“Siksairon Mixed Grain Rice Balls” are baked at high temperatures, resulting in a crispy, scorched exterior similar to nurungji, while the inside remains fluffy and freshly cooked. The rice balls do not contain D-sorbitol solution, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, or water-soluble annatto. Each rice ball is individually packaged for convenience, and they can be easily prepared in the microwave in just two minutes per serving.

The products come in two varieties: Tuna Mayo and Beef Brisket Kimchi. The “Siksairon Tuna Mayo Mixed Grain Rice Ball” is filled with tender tuna and plant-based mayonnaise, while the “Siksairon Beef Brisket Kimchi Mixed Grain Rice Ball” features well-fermented kimchi rice stir-fried and mixed with finely chopped beef brisket.

Lotte Wellfood is building the identity of the “Siksairon” brand based on the slogan “Delicious Health Made Easy and Convenient.” In April, the company signed a mutual growth agreement for “Centennial Small Business Branding and Market Expansion” with the Small Enterprise and Market Service, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Centennial Store Cooperative Federation. Under this business agreement, Lotte Wellfood plans to launch a joint brand between “Siksairon” and “Centennial Store” this year, and to sequentially release “Centennial Store” menu items as home meal replacement (HMR) products, ready-to-eat foods, and meal kits.

A representative from Lotte Wellfood stated, “We noticed consumers are seeking to change their overall eating habits and lifestyles in line with the slow aging trend, which led us to introduce the two Siksairon Mixed Grain Rice Balls. Going forward, Siksairon will continue to introduce a variety of convenient meal products in different categories, aiming to become the leading health and wellness brand in the convenience food market and to address the home-cooked meal needs of consumers in their 30s and 40s.”