Didim E&F Signs MOU with Islamic Halal Certified Product Manufacturer

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Didim E&F (formerly Didim), a food service company operating various dining brands such as Baekjewon, Tokyo Hana, Mapo Galmaegi, and Yeonan Sikdang, has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Natural Foods, which has received halal certification. Through this MOU, Didim E&F plans to produce halal sauces and expand into Middle Eastern countries.

Didim E&F is producing halal sauces by partnering with Natural Foods, a domestic sauce company, to enter the Muslim country Pakistan. Natural Foods is a seasoned seasoning food manufacturer certified halal by Indonesia's 'LPPOM MUI,' one of the three global halal certification bodies. They are scheduled to complete a dedicated halal second factory in the second half of this year.

According to Pakistan's Import Policy Order (IPO 2016 amendment), all food products exported to Pakistan must be accompanied by a certificate from a qualified halal certification body. The mandatory halal-certified product group is specified as ‘All Edible Products,’ targeting all ‘food’ imported into Pakistan. Halal certification is a system that certifies products comply with Islamic law.

Didim E&F plans to apply this halal sauce to its global franchise ‘Magal BBQ.’ When ‘Magal BBQ’ enters Pakistan, it will become the first Korean restaurant in the country to receive halal certification for all menus and sauces. Once the first store opens, certification can be obtained in all Islamic countries, enabling rapid expansion into South Asia.

A Mapo Galmaegi official said, “Starting with the opening of the first Mapo Galmaegi store in Pakistan, Didim E&F has laid the foundation for expanding its business in Islamic countries and halal food.” The company plans to focus on the South Asian market centered on Pakistan next year. The company aims to open five halal-certified Korean restaurants this year and more than 30 in the Middle East and South Asia next year.

Didim E&F has rolled up its sleeves to target Islamic countries and the halal food market because the market size is continuously growing. According to the global market research firm IMARC, the halal food market, which was valued at 2,553 trillion KRW last year, is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 11.24%, reaching approximately 5,000 trillion KRW by 2027.

‘Magal BBQ’ is a brand recognized in many countries with the concept of a ‘premium BBQ restaurant.’ It is most popular in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, where the Korean Wave is strong.