Frozen Kimbap Has Exceeded 10 Billion KRW in Monthly Exports

Due to the K-food craze, frozen kimbap has caused a shortage in the United States, surpassing 11.2 billion KRW (approximately $8.08 million USD) in monthly exports as of June 2024. This is a record high, representing an approximately 475% increase compared to the export figures from a year ago. The export volume is even more impressive. Assuming the average weight of one kimbap roll is 230g, around 5.06 million rolls were exported, which amounts to about 1,164 tons.

It‘s particularly gratifying to see ’Kimbap‘ being called by its name instead of just ’Korean sushi.‘ The popularity of kimbap can be attributed to the rise of the vegetarian trend and its affordable price. In the US, an average meal of a sandwich or hamburger costs over $20, whereas frozen kimbap is around $4 per roll, making it a reasonable alternative.

What Is Kimbap?

Kimbap is a Korean dish made by seasoning rice with salt and sesame oil, then rolling it in seaweed with various fillings such as spinach, pickled radish, carrots, egg, burdock root, ham, fish cake, and more. It is sliced into bite-sized pieces. Kimbap is popular for picnics, trips, and on-the-go meals because it is easy to transport and eat quickly, similar to rice balls.

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