The 'Mango Mango Frigier Mini' product sold at Hyundai Department Store's Sinchon location lists Chinese liquid eggs as an ingredient. [Photo by Jo Jae-hyung]
It has been confirmed that several products from the premium bakery "Bezzley," located in the food court of Hyundai Department Store, use liquid eggs made from Chinese eggs. This has sparked controversy, especially since Hyundai Green Food, which operates Bezzley, has promoted the brand as a premium offering.
According to a report from Aju Economy on June 30, liquid eggs sourced from China are used in ten types of cakes and cupcakes, as well as two types of pound gift sets sold at the Bezzley store in the basement of Hyundai Department Store's Sinchon location.
Liquid eggs are processed products made from egg whites and yolks after the shells are removed, commonly used in the baking industry to enhance production efficiency and ensure consistent quality. In the case of Bezzley, the liquid eggs made from Chinese eggs are incorporated into their baked goods.
The most expensive cake in the store, the "Mango Mango Frigier Mini," priced at 42,000 won, contains Chinese liquid eggs, American flour, German processed cream, and French mango puree. The "Mango Strawberry Layer," priced at 37,000 won, also includes Thai mango and domestic strawberries, along with Chinese liquid eggs and American flour. The dried strawberry pieces used in the cake are also sourced from China.
The "Strawberry Layer Mini," sold for 35,000 won, uses domestic strawberries and German processed cream, but the cake base contains Chinese liquid eggs and American flour, along with Chinese dried strawberries.
Other products, including the "Strawberry Dome Mini," "Sugar-Free Milk Cream Cake," "Melon Cake Mini," "Blooming Rose Mini," and "Kirsch Mini," all priced at 30,000 won, also contain Chinese liquid eggs and American flour in their baked goods. Even the cupcakes, priced at 12,500 won each, use Chinese liquid eggs, with the "Blueberry Cupcake" containing both Chinese liquid eggs and Chinese blueberry ripple jam.
Gift sets made up of pound products are not exceptions either. The "Bezzley Gift Set 1," priced at 17,600 won, includes mini pound and mini walnut pound cakes, while the "Bezzley Gift Set 2," priced at 27,600 won, adds five cookies to the mix. Both sets contain Chinese liquid eggs, American flour, and New Zealand processed butter.
The use of Chinese liquid eggs is not limited to the Sinchon location. Hyundai Green Food has stated that all Bezzley locations use liquid eggs made from Chinese eggs in their cake products.
The 'Bezzley Gift Set 2,' consisting of mini pound cakes and five cookies, is displayed at the Bezzley store in the basement of Hyundai Department Store's Sinchon location. The ingredient list indicates the use of liquid eggs made from Chinese eggs. [Photo by Jo Jae-hyung]
The issue lies not just in the use of Chinese ingredients but in the gap between Bezzley's brand identity and the actual composition of its products. Bezzley is a bakery brand operated by Hyundai Green Food, which has marketed it as a premium bakery brand through official materials.
A consumer encountered near the Bezzley store expressed shock, stating, "These days, even local bakeries and low-cost franchises promote the use of domestic, antibiotic-free eggs and 100% fresh cream. I was shocked to learn that a 40,000 won cake the size of my palm contains Chinese liquid eggs."
Given that these products are sold in the food courts of major department stores at higher price points than typical local bakeries, there is a disconnect between consumer expectations for quality and the reality. Eggs are a key ingredient that directly affects the taste and texture of cakes and pound cakes, making this information crucial for consumer purchasing decisions.
An industry insider noted, "Consumers naturally have higher expectations regarding the ingredients and manufacturing processes of premium products sold in department store food courts compared to regular products."
However, the mere fact that Chinese liquid eggs are used does not automatically imply safety issues with the products, and the origin of the ingredients is clearly indicated on the labels, so it cannot be said that the origin has been concealed.
A representative from Hyundai Green Food stated, "In the case of Bezzley, we face challenges in securing a stable supply of domestic eggs, so we use a mix of domestic and imported eggs." They added, "Even for imported products, we use those processed in a factory in China that employs Danish technology, after undergoing thorough verification processes."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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