Burger, Sandwich, Coffee, and More: The Overseas-Favored 'That Taste' Lands in Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] As global popular menus such as hamburgers and sandwiches are gradually establishing themselves in Korea, they are soothing the disappointment of consumers whose travel plans have been blocked due to COVID-19.

According to the food and dining industry on the 3rd, KFC recently launched the 'Scorcher Burger,' which became a hot topic as the best-selling burger at overseas KFC locations. The new product was first introduced in Canada and recorded high sales, attracting attention through mukbang and review content on SNS channels like YouTube.

The Scorcher Burger features a juicy whole chicken thigh fillet combined with deliciously spicy scorcher sauce and pickles, offering a spicy yet rich chicken burger flavor. In Korea, it is offered in two types: the 'Scorcher Burger Basic' and the 'Scorcher Burger Plus,' which includes hash browns and an extra layer of scorcher sauce.

Renwich Korea's first domestic store located in Yeouido IFC Mall.

In April, the popular New York handmade sandwich brand 'Lenwich' opened in Korea. Lenwich sells about 4 million sandwiches annually in New York and is considered one of the most successful sandwich specialty stores locally. The domestic stores offer various signature menus exactly as in New York, including the bestseller pastrami sandwich, chicken avocado, and chimichurri steak.

Jamsil Lotte World Mall Hawaii Saja Factory.

Ryan Coffee's offline stores in Korea, where you can taste Hawaiian Kona coffee famous for being served at official White House dinners, are also attracting consumer interest.

Hawaiian Kona beans are counted among the world's top three specialty coffees along with 'Yemen Mocha Matari' and 'Jamaica Blue Mountain.' Kona beans, grown in very limited quantities only in certain areas of Hawaii's Big Island Kona, thrive in volcanic soil under appropriate rainfall and sunlight, offering a unique flavor not experienced in regular beans. They produce a harmonious and complex flavor with subtle floral notes, exotic fruit aromas, and nutty scents. The moderate bitterness, acidity, and clean aftertaste make it enjoyable even for coffee beginners. Known as the 'freshly ground scent of heaven' for its excellent flavor, Kona beans are the only beans grown in the U.S. and are recognized for their rarity, which is why coffee made from Kona beans is served at official White House dinners.

Kona bean products can be found at Hawaii Lion Factory in Jamsil Lotte World Mall and Hawaii Kona Lion Coffee at Dongdaegu Station.