A Hit with an Unconventional Twist... Starbucks "Busaengka" Sells 50 Million Units in 10 Years

"Soft Fresh Cream Castella" First Launched in 2015
The Secret Behind 10 Years as Starbucks' Top Food Item
Born from the Innovative Idea of Filling Cake with Cream

Starbucks Korea announced on September 9 that its dessert menu item, "Soft Fresh Cream Castella," which marks its 10th anniversary this year, has surpassed a cumulative sales volume of 50 million units.

First introduced in 2015 as a seasonal limited menu item, "Soft Fresh Cream Castella" became a permanent offering due to its popularity. Developed with the unconventional idea of filling moist castella with fresh cream, the product?affectionately nicknamed "Busaengka"?has maintained its position as the top-selling food item at Starbucks for the past 10 years.

Last year alone, nearly 20,000 units were sold per day on average, leading to the record of 50 million units sold over the past decade. If these 8-centimeter cakes were lined up end to end, the total length would be enough to travel back and forth between Seoul and Busan five times.

The product is also well-known for being a food item that partners predicted would be a hit even before its launch. During the internal tasting session held before its release, it received positive feedback for its distinct texture and appearance compared to existing cakes, making it the first product that partners wanted to recommend to customers. Kang Yeo-hwa, Starbucks Food Team Leader, said, "The secret to its popularity lies in the consistent taste and quality that have remained unchanged over the past 10 years," adding, "The combination of castella and fresh cream is appealing to people of all ages and genders, which is its greatest strength."

Riding on the popularity of "Busaengka," Starbucks has been expanding its lineup of related products. At the end of last year, it launched "Choco-filled Busaengka," followed by "Blueberry-filled Busaengka" in July. The chocolate version has sold over 1.7 million units to date, while the blueberry variant has received positive feedback for its refreshing taste.

Choi Hyunjung, Head of Food and Beverage Development at Starbucks, stated, "The fact that 'Soft Fresh Cream Castella' has remained a steady seller for 10 years is thanks to our customers' consistent interest and affection," adding, "We will continue to develop signature foods that represent Starbucks, further strengthening our uniqueness and competitiveness."