"Like Tesla Leading Electric Cars... Protecting the Earth with Food"

Shinsegae Food Holds Alternative Food Development Direction Briefing
CEO Song Hyun-seok: "Expanding Consumer Choice with Alternative Meat"
Unveils 'Plant-Based Sundae Bokkeum' in Collaboration with Sundae Silrok

"When Tesla first introduced electric vehicles in Korea, internal combustion engine-focused companies like Hyundai Motor Company gave negative market forecasts. However, now Hyundai sells more electric vehicles domestically than Tesla. This ultimately means that the industry cannot avoid shifting toward directions that benefit the global environment. The same applies to food."

Song Hyun-seok, CEO of Shinsegae Food

Song Hyun-seok, CEO of Shinsegae Food, said this on the 4th at the ‘Better Class,’ a briefing session on alternative food development directions held at Sundae Sillok Daehakro Main Branch in Jongno-gu, Seoul. CEO Song stated, "Until now, while obtaining animal protein, we have experienced inconveniences such as breeding environments and environmental pollution," adding, "If we create alternative meats that provide gustatory satisfaction, consumer choices will eventually expand, and through this, the food industry will evolve." He also emphasized, "This is not about rejecting the animal protein we have been consuming well so far," but rather "to broaden consumer choices and open new markets."

On this day, Shinsegae Food unveiled its self-developed alternative meat, alternative milk, and alternative cheese products. The highlight of the event was Sundae (Korean blood sausage). In collaboration with Sundae Sillok, a premium Sundae specialty store, they created ‘You Are What You Eat Plant-Based Sundae Stir-fry,’ made entirely from plant-based ingredients, transforming Sundae?a representative animal-based food?into a 100% plant-based product.

The plant-based Sundae used in this product is a nude Sundae made by Shinsegae Food using plant-based ingredients such as soy protein, glass noodles, cabbage, carrot, onion, and garlic to replicate the chewy texture of Sundae, and cocoa powder to reproduce its color. Additionally, the seasoning and vegetables from Sundae Sillok’s signature dish, Sundae Gopchang Stir-fry, were added all at once so that consumers can enjoy the taste of Sundae stir-fry from Sundae Sillok stores at home.

Min Jung-sik, head of Shinsegae Food’s R&D Center, said, “Alternative food companies have focused on developing raw materials such as alternative meat, alternative milk, and alternative cheese, which has somewhat slowed market expansion,” adding, “For the alternative food market to expand, consumers need to experience excellent taste and quality, so Shinsegae Food is also putting effort into developing ready meals and dining-out menus.”

On the 4th, at Sundae Sillok Daehakro Main Branch in Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Min Jung-sik, Head of the R&D Center at Shinsegae Food, explained the development direction of Shinsegae Food's alternative foods such as alternative meat and alternative milk at the alternative food briefing session "Better Class."

Shinsegae Food also unveiled menus such as steamed Sundae and Sundae soup using plant-based Sundae. Notably, all ingredients used in these menus, from broth to seasoning, were made from 100% plant-based materials developed in-house by Shinsegae Food, drawing attention. Furthermore, Shinsegae Food showcased plant-based milk and lattes made from plant-based materials like oats and rice, as well as a plant-based cheese platter, demonstrating its alternative food R&D capabilities and suggesting the potential for expanding the alternative food category in the future.

Alongside this, Shinsegae Food introduced rice milk currently under development using ‘Garussal,’ a domestic rice variety developed by the Rural Development Administration, accelerating the development of alternative foods utilizing domestic agricultural products and expressing its commitment to fulfilling its social role as a food company.

Going forward, Shinsegae Food plans to actively develop various alternative foods such as alternative meat and alternative milk based on the goal of ‘making a better world with better food.’ Centered on the plant-based alternative ‘You Are What You Eat,’ the company aims to lead the market and achieve growth by introducing innovative products and menus that consumers can access and enjoy more interestingly and conveniently.

Center head Min said, “Currently, Shinsegae Food’s alternative food technology is evolving to create products with taste and quality comparable to existing foods, and nutritionally superior ingredients,” adding, “We will continue to advance our alternative food R&D capabilities and introduce new alternative foods that meet consumer needs.”