'Taste of Nostalgia' Manjuria Solidifies Its Position as a Travel Rest Stop Delight

SM Food Strengthens Hygiene and Quality Control Standards

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] December brings the strong scent of winter. 'Manjuria,' which entices passing travelers with its rich and sweet flavor on weary journeys, is a delicacy found at highway rest stops.

Manjuria is a thick, oval-shaped bread resembling corn. The outer layer is made from high-quality, fluffy castella cake, while the filling consists of smooth custard cream. It can be widely enjoyed by elderly people with weak chewing ability as well as young children. Its ease of eating makes it ideal for large families gathering across multiple generations.

The greatest advantage of Manjuria is its fresh taste, made on the spot. It is produced and sold immediately upon order using an automated machine developed with proprietary technology. Each store operates with two staff members who share production and sales duties. Thanks to its affordable price, it also offers excellent cost-effectiveness (performance relative to price).

The manufacturer, SM Food, is a food specialist company that has accumulated over 20 years of experience in producing freshly made food products. It has gained sales experience in department stores and rest stops and currently operates franchise stores at about 30 well-known rest stops. As of last year, annual sales increased to 6 billion KRW. This year, the company also obtained HACCP certification to strengthen its own hygiene standards and build consumer trust. Quality control and employee training services are also being systematized.