Kooksoondang, 'Kooksoondang Rice Babambabam' Exported to the United States

Introducing Various Flavors of Makgeolli to Overseas Markets Through Domestic Makgeolli Collaboration Products

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Kooksoondang announced on the 26th that ‘Kooksoondang Ssal Babambabam’ has started sales in the United States.

This is the second time Kooksoondang’s makgeolli collaboration product has been exported overseas, following the limited edition ‘Kooksoondang Ssal Joripongdang’ exported to the U.S. earlier this year. Kooksoondang stated, “The limited edition ‘Kooksoondang Ssal Joripongdang’ was so popular that it sold out completely, and there were additional requests from local distributors and retailers overseas,” expressing expectations that the popularity of the makgeolli collaboration products will continue with this new Kooksoondang Ssal Babambabam.

Kooksoondang Ssal Babambabam, which has been sold since December last year, has sold over 4 million bottles domestically and has gained popularity to the extent that it was converted from an event product to an official product due to consumer demand. It was developed through a collaboration between Kooksoondang’s ‘Kooksoondang Ssal Makgeolli’ and Haitai Ice Cream’s popular ice cream ‘Babamba.’ By combining the familiar Babamba flavor with makgeolli, it was realized as a Babamba-flavored alcoholic beverage, attracting popularity with the special fun of a new experience of a known taste. The savory and sweet flavor of chestnut meets the smoothness of rice makgeolli, creating a rich and sweet taste while simultaneously allowing one to enjoy the smooth throat sensation of makgeolli.

The exported product is the same as the domestic retail version, with an alcohol content of 4% and a volume of 350mL in a can. The product exported to the U.S. features the English product name along with ‘Chestnut Makgeolli’ to make it easy for locals to recognize it as Korea’s representative alcoholic beverage, makgeolli. While Kooksoondang Ssal Babambabam is classified as other alcoholic beverages in Korea and thus restricted in using the term makgeolli, it is recognized as traditional Korean rice wine makgeolli in the U.S., helping to promote the diversity of makgeolli.

A Kooksoondang official said, “Kooksoondang Ssal Babambabam, which continues to be popular in Korea, is now being exported overseas, establishing a new and diverse image of traditional Korean rice wine makgeolli in the global market,” and added, “We expect this export to be another opportunity to introduce the diverse flavors of Korean makgeolli.”