First in Domestic Distribution Industry to Add Kadaif
Planned Two Months Before Launch... Secured Kadaif Supply
CU, a convenience store operated by BGF Retail, announced on the 16th that it will launch the 'Neighbor Tongtong's Dubai-style Choco Cookie with Kadaif' on the 17th.
Dubai chocolate is made by adding a spread mixed with pistachios and kadaif, a thin noodle enjoyed in the Middle East, originating from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Thanks to the kadaif, it boasts a unique texture. This product has become scarce as it gained popularity through social media (SNS) of famous influencers.
In response to this popularity, CU collaborated with Neighbor Tongtong, a popular cafe in Apgujeong, to plan and launch a Dubai-style choco cookie using kadaif. CU explained that this is the first case in the domestic distribution industry where a dessert containing kadaif is launched nationwide.
CU emphasized that from the product planning stage two months before the launch, they collaborated with importers to secure the largest quantity of kadaif in the industry as early as possible. The main ingredient of Dubai chocolate, kadaif, has become difficult to source worldwide due to the rising popularity of Dubai chocolate.
CU's Neighbor Tongtong Dubai-style Choco Cookie features a spread made by grinding pistachios mixed with finely crushed kadaif noodles, characterized by the sweet and slightly bitter taste unique to Dubai chocolate and a soft yet crispy texture. The pistachio spread is placed on a thick butter cookie and coated with chocolate.
CU prepared this product inspired by the success of last year's 'Neighbor Tongtong Yakgwa Cookie,' a traditional snack that sold 1.2 million units in two months. The strategy is to reinterpret familiar products in an exotic form, and this time, to realize Dubai chocolate in cookie form.
Park Min-su, Product Planner (MD) of the Snack Food Team at BGF Retail, said, "Since early this year, we have noticed Dubai chocolate becoming hot among domestic and international consumers and planned this product to offer a more differentiated dessert. CU will continue to closely monitor various domestic and international dessert markets and introduce special products that lead dessert trends in the domestic distribution industry."
CU, a convenience store operated by BGF Retail, will release 'Neighbor Tongtong's Dubai-style Chocolate Cookie' containing cardamom. [Photo by BGF Retail]
Meanwhile, CU introduced Dubai-style chocolate using Korean-style dried noodles earlier this month, which also gained popularity even before its release. Upon the announcement of the product launch, the cumulative views on CU's own app, Pocket CU, exceeded 7 million, and on the day of sale, the app experienced access delays for the first time since its launch, resulting in the initial stock of 200,000 units selling out completely.
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