Emart24 Launches Fusion Rice Cake 'Dalkom Choco Chal Tteok'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] As the so-called 'Newtro' trend, which enjoys retro in a new way, sweeps the dessert market, traditional desserts are gaining attention.

According to Emart24 on the 15th, the three rice cake desserts launched last year (Konggaru Injeolmi, Ssuk Injeolmi, Sweet Potato Glutinous Rice Cake) ranked first and second in the refrigerated dessert category immediately after their release, gaining great popularity.

In particular, the fusion dessert 'Sweet Potato Glutinous Rice Cake,' developed with a focus on the tastes of young consumers, received a hot response, becoming the best-selling refrigerated dessert last month.

Emart24 confirmed consumer demand for dessert rice cakes and strengthened its dessert rice cake lineup by introducing 'Sweet Chocolate Glutinous Rice Cake,' created considering the tastes and sensibilities of young consumers.

Each set consists of six bite-sized rice cakes (120g), an amount suitable for one to two people. The packaging and design, reminiscent of chocolate, add a youthful sensibility. The price is 2,000 won.

Made with 100% domestically produced glutinous rice, the dough is kneaded multiple times to prevent the rice cakes from hardening easily, allowing consumers to enjoy a chewy texture even when eating leftovers.

A newly reinterpreted product of Yakgwa, one of the traditional desserts, is also on sale. Emart24's 'I'm Mini Yakgwa Made with Icheon Rice' reduces the size to coin-sized pieces suitable for one bite and includes smiling emoticons on individual packaging to reflect the preferences of young consumers.

The reason convenience stores develop and actively introduce traditional desserts tailored to young consumers' tastes is that, influenced by the Newtro trend, young customers are turning their attention to traditional foods.

Won Dae-ro, Emart24's dessert buyer, said, "Products differentiated by adding unique flavors to traditional desserts are gaining popularity," and added, "We expect the rice cake dessert market to continue growing, and plan to expand the product line by introducing new rice cake products in the second half of this year."