Tired Housewives of 'Jipcook' Seek Easy Sauces... Sales Also 'Soar'

Gmarket Sauce and Dressing Sales Up 39%
Cheongjeongwon and Samyang Foods Pasta and Buldak Sauce Also Popular

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Recently, with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and the rise of the 'Homeconomy (Home+Economy)' trend where people engage in economic activities at home, the number of consumers seeking home-cooked meals has increased. As the frequency of 'home cooking' rises, not only ready meals (HMR) but also 'convenient sauces' that reduce cooking time and effort have become essential items for consumers.

According to Gmarket on the 28th, from February 1 to the 26th of this year, sales of sauces and dressings increased by 39% compared to the same period last year. The product category with the highest growth rate was 'pasta sauce (76%)', followed by 'salad dressing (59%)', chili and salsa sauces (46%), oyster sauce and Chinese cuisine sauces (44%), and Japanese and Southeast Asian cuisine sauces (30%).

Chung Jung One Single Pouch Pasta Sauce

Since launching the 'World Table Sauce' series in 2015 and leading the sauce market, Daesang Cheongjeongwon's sales have also grown significantly. Cheongjeongwon's pasta sauce sales in the first quarter of this year increased by about 20% compared to the same period last year. For the first series of World Table Sauce, 'Authentic Italian Pasta Sauce,' consumer demand for smaller portions was actively reflected by adding a pouch-type product in single-serving size to the existing glass bottle type suitable for 2-4 servings, thereby expanding the lineup.

Unlike in the past when consumers had to purchase and prepare ingredients themselves to make specific dishes, recently, optimized convenient sauces for each menu have gained popularity. Cheongjeongwon's menu-specialized convenient sauce brand 'Gourmet Recipe' saw its first-quarter sales increase by about 13.4% compared to the first quarter of last year. The short cooking time of under 10 minutes and the enjoyment of cooking directly are analyzed as the reasons for its popularity. Gourmet Recipe is a brand with the concept of 'completing a delicious dish by preparing only the main ingredients without complicated recipes or making separate seasonings.' The package lists the main ingredients and cooking time for each menu, allowing anyone to cook easily without a separate recipe.

Samyang Foods Buldak Sauce Series

With the popularity of ready meals and frozen foods, the market size for table sauces is also increasing. Samyang Foods' Buldak series has boosted the popularity of Buldak Sauce, which was launched on December 5, 2018. Since its release, cumulative sales of Buldak Sauce have reached 3 million units as of March this year. About 500,000 units were sold in the first quarter alone. Comparing only the original Buldak Sauce, sales increased by about 15% compared to the first quarter of last year. This year, the lineup expanded to include Carbonara Buldak Sauce and Nuclear Buldak Sauce, and reflecting the expanded lineup, sales increased by 68% compared to last year.

The comprehensive food brand 'Baekcook' of Theborn Korea launched the 'Baek Jong-won's Super Simple Cooking Seasoning Series 3 types' in October last year. The three types include 'Beef Bulgogi Seasoning,' a homemade style with plenty of domestic garlic and green onions, and 'Spicy Royal Tteokbokki Seasoning,' which features a deep and rich flavor with savory scallion oil. Simply pour the seasoning over prepared ingredients and boil to complete the dish. The products are individually packaged in pouch types for easy storage and portability.

Convenient sauces tailored to children's tastes are also emerging one after another. Infant food company Ivenet is selling four types of 'Kkoma World Rice Bowl Sauce' and three types of 'Kkoma Delicious Rice Sauce' through its 'Kkoma' brand. The Kkoma World Rice Bowl Sauce emphasizes the characteristics of dishes from various countries while offering mild flavors suitable for children's palates. The four types available in pouch form include Japan's Gyudon, Indonesia's Nasi Goreng, India's Spinach Curry Sauce, and France's Coq au Vin. The 'Kkoma Delicious Rice Sauce' is a sauce made with fermented ingredients, beef, vegetables, and sesame seeds, characterized by a deep and rich flavor. It consists of three types based on gochujang, doenjang, and soy sauce, produced in tube form for hygienic and convenient use.