This Year’s Year-End at Home... Milkits for 'Home Party' Released One After Another

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] As the spread of COVID-19 continues, enjoying parties at home with acquaintances instead of dining out at the end of the year has become the trend. In response, the food industry is continuously launching unique meal kits to capture the demand for 'home parties.'

According to MyChef, a meal kit specialist company, meal kit sales in December last year increased more than threefold compared to the same period the previous year. This was due to more people spending the year-end by holding small-scale parties at home to avoid the risk of COVID-19 infection. This year as well, with the ongoing spread of COVID-19, demand is expected to continue for home parties where people can easily prepare meals using meal kits.

Accordingly, MyChef collaborated with YouTuber ‘HeoChaming’ to launch the ‘HeoChaming Napolitan Spaghetti.’ This product is a meal kit featuring the popular recipe from a video on HeoChaming’s YouTube channel that recorded 1.1 million views.

Additionally, MyChef partnered with Kakao Friends to release three types of ‘Colorful Party Flex’ meal kits that the whole family can enjoy together. The menu includes ▲ Creamy Rape Steak ▲ B?chamel Lasagna ▲ Spanish Shrimp Tapas. These are dishes typically enjoyed only at specialized restaurants but can be savored with simple preparation within 15 minutes.

For home party enthusiasts, 'to-go' menus that can be enjoyed immediately through packaging and home meal replacement (HMR) home party menus that can be prepared within 5 minutes using a microwave are also being launched.

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul is offering ‘Granum Home Dining To Go,’ which can be easily enjoyed at home, until the 31st of this month. The main dishes include herb roasted chicken and abalone, along with pizza and pasta.

Paris Baguette’s HMR brand First Class Kitchen has launched ‘Shareable Western Ready Meals,’ including ‘Meatball & Potato Gratin,’ ‘Crispy Chicken & Chips,’ and ‘Honey Gorgonzola Pizza.’ The menu is composed mainly of popular dishes that can create a home party atmosphere, and sauces that complement the food are provided together to enhance convenience.