1️⃣🍲Baek Jong-won goes global with K-Sauce & consulting🌏🚀
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✔ Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, aims to reach KRW 100 billion (≈USD 72M) in overseas sales by 2030 through TBK sauces and food consulting.
• Demo sessions in the US & Europe, plus retail partnerships in Taiwan and China.
• Seven sauces already launched — from spicy chicken to doenjang stew — with QR-code recipe videos and tailored consulting.
🧑🏻💬From celebrity chef to K-Sauce global ambassador—Baek Jong-won’s move could make Korean flavors more accessible worldwide✨
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2️⃣🏬Nongshim expands K-Food in the US with ‘Jagalchi’ Market🌊🥢
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✔ Mega Mart, part of the Nongshim group, opened a 6,900㎡ ‘Jagalchi’ store in Daly City, California, drawing 49,000 visitors opening weekend.
• Michelin-starred chef Tony Yoo’s restaurant POGU, an oyster bar, kimchi & banchan counters, plus a K-beauty section.
• 'Jagalchi' ties back to Busan’s seafood market and Nongshim’s 38-year snack brand legacy.
🧑🏻💬Bringing Busan’s iconic ‘Jagalchi’ name to the US is clever—it’s more than a store, it’s a full K-Food & lifestyle experience👀
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3️⃣🥟CJ opens first dumpling factory in Japan🏭🇯🇵
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✔ CJ CheilJedang invested KRW 100 billion (≈USD 72M) to build a Bibigo dumpling factory in Chiba, Japan.
• The 8,200㎡ site produces dumplings for nationwide distribution under a 'local production, local sales' strategy.
• CJ’s Japan food sales rose 27% YoY in H1 2025.
🧑🏻💬Japanese consumers often prefer ‘domestically made’ food—so Bibigo’s local factory could be a game-changer💥
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4️⃣💄India in the spotlight for K-Beauty & K-Food🍽️🇮🇳
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✔ Korean companies are rushing into India—Cosmax (beauty ODM), LF (fashion), and food/retail giants expanding aggressively.
• Lotte India merged with Havmor, launching its ‘ONE INDIA’ strategy with new ice cream & Pepero factories.
• Emart24 became the first Korean convenience store chain in India, offering ramen, tteokbokki, kimbap, and more.
🧑🏻💬With US/China risks rising, India looks like the new land of opportunity. Expect K-brands to embed into young Indians’ daily lives🔥
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5️⃣🍠Lotte Wellfood’s seasonal sweet potato lineup🍫🍦
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✔ Partnering with Gochang County, Lotte Wellfood launched 12 fall-limited products across its top brands—from Margaret cookies to Binch and Bbangppare ice cream.
• Part two of its 'Delicious Korea Road' campaign after last year’s chestnut series.
• Pop-ups in Yongsan, Hapjeong, and Jamsil subway stations will showcase the products alongside Gochang’s cultural heritage.
🧑🏻💬Chestnuts last year, sweet potatoes this year! If locally-sourced LTOs go viral abroad, it could be huge. Hopefully these seasonal launches ride the hype all the way to Lotte Mart USA🍂
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🕗1st & 3rd Fridays – Korean Food Trend Highlights
🕗2nd & 4th Fridays – Global Food Trend Highlights
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