In South Korea, the consumption of premium kimchi prepared by hotel chefs is increasing at a rapid pace, demonstrating the growing culinary trend of focusing on quality and sophistication in flavor. At the same time, the demand for packaged kimchi, a convenient product for busy consumers, is also growing rapidly.
Consumption of high-end kimchi prepared by hotel chefs is increasing at a rapid rate.
Recently, Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts' premium kimchi has been in high demand. With a strict production process, using fresh ingredients and natural spices, Supex has conquered the taste of the most demanding gourmets. Not only loved in Korea, this product is also exported to many countries around the world, contributing to promoting the image of Korean cuisine to international friends. The success of Supex comes not only from product quality but also thanks to an effective marketing strategy, focusing on building a high-end and luxurious brand image.
Kimchi, a rustic dish once associated with Korean family meals, has now truly risen in status and become a high-class specialty on the menus of luxury hotels.
A representative of Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts said that sales of Supex Kimchi, a premium kimchi of the hotel priced at 28,000 won per kilogram, increased by 42.2% compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, Walkerhill Hotel Kimchi, a cheaper variety, also recorded a sales spike of 109.9%, according to The Korea Times.
Similarly, Josun Hotels & Resorts, which sells premium kimchi for 28,000 won per kilogram, saw its sales increase 10% year-on-year in 2023. Lotte Hotels & Resorts, which started selling kimchi in August 2023, saw its sales jump 50%.
Premium kimchi is not just a dish, but also a symbol of sophistication and class in Korean cuisine. Made from the finest ingredients, through a meticulous and complex production process, premium kimchi brings a unique flavor, hard to find in ordinary products.
With constant creativity, top chefs have turned this traditional dish into culinary works of art.
Despite the significantly higher price, Korean consumers still do not hesitate to "open their wallets" to enjoy this dish because the consumer trend favors domestic, high-quality ingredients, and price increases are not a problem. Because for them, premium kimchi is not just a simple dish but also a cultural experience, a way to express their gourmet and aesthetic taste. Choosing premium kimchi also shows interest in local, high-quality and healthy products.
Over the past three years, the proportion of Koreans buying packaged kimchi instead of homemade kimchi has tripled. From the hotel’s perspective, the kimchi business has low entry costs because they can use the staff and cooking facilities from their existing food and beverage operations. “Hotel kimchi seems to have won the trust of consumers,” said a hotel industry official.
However, this boom is facing a major challenge as the prices of kimchi ingredients, from Napa cabbage to spices like chili powder, are escalating. The main cause is the climate crisis, with extreme changes in weather causing erratic harvests, reduced supply and increased production costs. This not only affects the kimchi industry but also poses a difficult problem for traditional Korean cuisine.
Despite the significantly higher price, Korean consumers still do not hesitate to "open their wallets" to enjoy this dish.
