[Cheongchun Report] "Today's Lunch is 'Malatanghuru'"... Teenagers' Must-Visit Spot 'Maepdan' Chinese Food Craze

Popularity of Chinese Food 'Malatanghulu' New Coined Term
Contrary to Spicy Food Health Trend
Experts Say "Tanghulu Popularity May Decline"

# Lee (15), a student at a middle school in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, has recently become addicted to the sweetness of Tanghulu. He said, "I go to Tanghulu shops with my friends on the way home from school as if it's a must-stop course," adding, "My friends around me said Tanghulu was delicious, so I tried it out of curiosity and was amazed by the crispy texture and sweetness." He continued, "I know it's not good for my health, but eating Tanghulu feels like it relieves stress, so I often go for it."

Recently, Chinese foods such as Tanghulu and Malatang have become popular among teenagers. As a result, a new slang term 'Malatanghulu,' meaning 'eat Malatang and then eat Tanghulu for dessert,' has even emerged. This phenomenon is contrary to the 'Healthy Pleasure' trend, where people manage their health by eating salads and the like. Some voices are raising concerns about teenagers' health due to excessive sodium and sugar intake.

[Image source=Getty Images Bank, Asia Economy DB]

Eat Malatang and then Tanghulu... A Must-Stop Course for Teenagers

Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese dessert made by skewering various fruits and coating them with sugar syrup. Its crispy and sweet taste is cited as a key factor for its popularity. Until last year, Tanghulu did not gain much popularity, but this year it has attracted attention through TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms. Especially because it makes a distinctive 'crunch-crunch' sound when eaten, Tanghulu has become a popular ASMR content.

On social networking services (SNS), posts related to Tanghulu are continuously being uploaded. Searching the hashtag '#탕후루' on Instagram yields over 140,000 posts. Netizens also upload photos of colorful fruits skewered on sticks and pictures of people waiting in front of shops.

Thanks to this popularity, the search volume for Tanghulu has also increased. Until last year, Tanghulu was hardly found in the search rankings on 'Baedal Minjok (Baemin).' However, in July, the search volume for Tanghulu increased 47.3 times compared to January.

Meanwhile, the long-lasting popularity of Malatang has not cooled down. Known for its numbing spicy taste, Malatang is a dish originating from the Sichuan region of China. It is made by pouring broth into oil flavored with various spices such as chili, Sichuan pepper, prickly ash fruit, star anise, and clove, then adding vegetables, meat, seafood, and other ingredients to boil. According to 'Baemin Trend 2022,' Malatang was the most ordered menu item among teenagers on Baemin in 2021.

Spicy and Sweet 'Maepdan'... Warning Signs for Teenagers' Health

The problem is that health controversies surrounding Chinese food continue. Especially, Malatang uses many spices to create its unique numbing flavor, resulting in a sodium content of about 2000 to 3000 mg per serving (250g). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily sodium intake of 2000 mg, so this is a similar level.

Also, according to the Korea Consumer Agency and others, one Tanghulu contains 10 to 25 grams of sugar. The recommended daily sugar intake is 50 grams, so eating just one Tanghulu approaches half of the recommended amount.

As a result, voices expressing concern about their children's health are rising in mom cafes and other communities. A person with a high school daughter, A, said, "My daughter eats Malatang two to three times a week. She suffered from gastritis recently but still wants to eat it again," adding, "I'm worried because she seems to have already gotten used to salty, spicy, and sweet foods. I don't know how foods like Malatang and Tanghulu came to dominate."

Professor Heo Yang-im of the Department of Family Medicine at Bundang CHA Hospital also appeared on YTN's 'News Rider' and pointed out, "If you eat Malatang and Tanghulu and then have a smoothie, you exceed the daily required calories," adding, "(Teenagers) addicted to sweet and salty foods may continue to seek such foods even as adults."

There is also an analysis that Tanghulu's popularity is related to SNS. Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University's Department of Consumer Studies said, "One of the posts mainly uploaded on SNS is desserts," adding, "Especially Tanghulu is popular among young people because its colorful appearance looks pretty in photos."

However, Professor Lee said, "Many young people nowadays look for 'zero sugar' products without added sugar, but Tanghulu is a food coated with sugar," adding, "If other competitive desserts appear, Tanghulu's popularity may decline."