As chilly winds blow in the mornings and evenings, the retail and food service industries have begun selling winter snacks earlier than usual this year. From hotteok and bungeoppang to egg bread, fish cakes, roasted sweet potatoes, and steamed buns, businesses are expanding their warm food offerings to capture early winter demand.
According to industry reports, convenience stores have started their winter food operations up to a month earlier than in previous years. GS25 began offering winter instant foods on October 1, about two weeks earlier than last year, across more than 5,000 locations nationwide. Emart24 launched its roasted sweet potato sales on September 19, a month ahead of last year, while Seven Eleven started selling roasted sweet potatoes and fish cakes on September 15.
This year, convenience stores are focusing on collaborations with specialized brands and differentiating their products. GS25 has partnered with the renowned Busan fish cake brand 'Goraesa Eomuk' to offer six varieties, including original fish cakes, double fish cakes, assorted fish cakes, white fish cakes, water rice cakes, and vegetable skewers. The flagship product, the original fish cake, is priced at 1,000 won. Throughout October, customers can receive a 1,000 won discount when purchasing roasted sweet potatoes or baked potatoes alongside a 'Cafe25' Americano.
Seven Eleven has introduced a new domestic sweet potato variety, 'Hopungmi,' known for its high sugar content and soft texture, enhancing its product competitiveness. Last winter, sales of roasted sweet potatoes and fish cakes increased by 15% and 7%, respectively, compared to the previous year. This year, the company plans to gradually expand its sales locations and introduce steamed buns later this month, following the bungeoppang. Emart24 will sequentially introduce SPC Samlip steamed buns, starting with 2,000 won roasted sweet potatoes, followed by red bean, honey sweet potatoes, vegetables, and pizza varieties.
The early introduction of winter snacks by convenience stores is driven by a clear rebound effect in sales due to temperature changes. An analysis of three years of instant fish cake sales data by GS25 revealed that sales on days with average temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius were 74% higher than on days above 15 degrees, and 12 times higher compared to days above 20 degrees. In fact, during the chilly weather from October 5 to 7, fish cake sales surged by 121.7%, while roasted sweet potatoes increased by 97.6% compared to the same period the previous week.
The food service and cafe sectors are also broadening their menu offerings with winter snacks that pair well with coffee. Ediya Coffee recently introduced six types of 'street snacks,' including seed hotteok, japchae hotteok, pizza hotteok, red bean bungeoppang, cream-filled bungeoppang, and ham and cheese egg bread.
These offerings maintain familiar flavors, such as seed hotteok with brown sugar and nuts, and red bean and cream-filled bungeoppang, while also expanding choices with hotteok topped with japchae and pizza. The ham and cheese egg bread is designed as a simple meal alternative, providing a range from sweet desserts to hearty snacks.
Sales channels have also diversified. Customers can order through Ediya's nationwide franchise locations, as well as via the Ediya Members app and major delivery platforms like Baedal Minjok, Coupang Eats, and Yogiyo. This expansion aims to cater to both in-store coffee customers and those looking to enjoy winter snacks at home or in the office.
An Ediya Coffee representative stated, “Korean winter street snacks are beloved comfort foods that embody the flavors and sentiments of Korea, representing K-desserts. We hope customers will experience the charm of familiar winter snacks with our unique flavors and combinations.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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