As more people choose to stay home or reduce family gatherings during this Chuseok holiday, the landscape of holiday food is changing. Demand for home meal replacements (HMR) that cater to individuals or small households is increasing, moving away from large family-style meals.
According to a survey released on September 25 by Korea Research, only 63% of respondents plan to meet family members living separately this Chuseok. This marks a decrease of 5 percentage points from last year's Chuseok (68%) and 7 points from this year's Lunar New Year (70%). With the rise of solo celebrations and smaller family gatherings, products that allow for easy preparation of restaurant-quality meals are gaining attention.
In response, comprehensive food company Harim has introduced five one-pan HMR options under its 'Specialty Dishes' line, targeting solo diners and those enjoying drinks at home.
Harim reports that the domestic HMR market is evolving beyond simple meal solutions to include 'restaurant-style menus enjoyed at home.' As consumers seek proper meals amid rising prices, Harim has launched the new 'Specialty Dishes' category, combining the price competitiveness of chicken with health trends and cooking convenience.
The main advantage of the Specialty Dishes series is its shortened cooking process and convenience. Popular dishes like chicken feet, dak-galbi, and stir-fried chicken gizzards can now be prepared using just one frying pan. After thawing the product, consumers only need to add water or oil and heat it for about 10 minutes, significantly reducing the risk of cooking failure.
The menu includes two stir-fry options designed for the 30-40 age group who enjoy home drinking, as well as three hearty chicken specialty dishes for those seeking a substantial meal.
The stir-fry product 'Spicy Chicken Feet Stir-fry (300g)' utilizes Harim's unique processing method and local production system to enhance the freshness of the raw ingredients and maximize chewiness, complemented by a special sauce for a spicy umami flavor. 'Stir-fried Chicken Gizzards (300g)' features a 5mm slicing process to reduce any off-flavors and enhance texture.
Using domestic chicken shoulder, 'Original Dak-galbi (650g)' and 'Octopus Dak-galbi (650g)' come with all necessary ingredients like sweet potatoes, cabbage, and rice cakes included in one package, eliminating the need for separate grocery shopping. The 'Chicken Specialty Stir-fry (500g)' combines chicken shoulder and neck, allowing for a rich broth flavor with aged kimchi.
All five Specialty Dishes are frozen products with a shelf life of 12 months, making them easy to store during the holiday period. These products are available at Lotte Mart, GS25 convenience stores, distributors, and online platforms like Coupang.
A Harim representative stated, "These products are designed for single-person households and dual-income families who find it cumbersome to prepare additional ingredients and are looking for a proper dinner and snacks that can be easily made with just one frying pan."
Building on the positive response to the Specialty Dishes series, Harim plans to strengthen its lineup with the upcoming launch of 'Duck Jumuluk (500g)' in October, which will include domestically sourced duck (7mm slices) along with vegetables like green onions and onions, and seasoned with gochujang.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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