Hotel Cakes Top 500,000 Won... Enjoy Year-End Cake for 4,900 Won [Tasted]

Franchise Cakes Now 30,000-40,000 Won
Hotel Cakes Surpass 500,000 Won
GS25 Mini Cakes Offer Great Value

The "season of cakes" has returned for the year-end. As the prices of cakes at franchise bakeries and dessert shops soar to between 30,000 and 40,000 won, consumers are feeling the burden more each year. Cakes in the 10,000-won range have long since disappeared. Whole cakes from well-known brands now cost around 50,000 won, and cakes from hotel bakeries have surpassed the 500,000-won mark this year.

Amid this ongoing "cakeflation," there's some welcome news for consumers. GS25, a convenience store chain operated by GS Retail, has introduced a mini chocolate cake priced in the 4,000-won range, targeting the value-for-money segment. The cake is the size of a typical slice sold in the market, offering a new option for those seeking a reasonable choice.

The star product is the "Kkamja Choco Mini Cake," launched by GS25 on November 13 to celebrate Christmas in collaboration with the dog character "Kkamja" intellectual property (IP). The packaging features a vibrant red design that exudes a Christmas atmosphere, with the Kkamja character wearing a Santa hat adding a cute touch. The retail price is 4,900 won. In addition, GS25 has also released a choux cream mini cake featuring the "Butter Bear" IP.

This product consists solely of chocolate castella and chocolate cream. Once unwrapped, you can see three neatly layered tiers of fluffy castella sponge and thinly spread chocolate cream. The sponge has a moist texture that feels as if it would bounce like pudding when tapped. The cream is applied thinly on the outside, making the bread portion appear more substantial.

Components of 'Kkamja Choco Mini Cake' introduced by GS25.

The first bite evokes nostalgia for the "frog character chocolate bread" enjoyed in childhood. Although the thick bread might suggest the cream would be less noticeable, in reality, the moist sponge allows the chocolate flavor to blend harmoniously. The cream is light and smooth, without being overly sweet or having a strong artificial flavor, making it easy to enjoy. However, those who prefer dense and rich chocolate cakes may find it less to their taste.

Weighing in at 120 grams, it is suitable for one to two people. For consumers who do not usually eat much cake, a single piece of this product may be enough to enjoy the festive year-end atmosphere. Additionally, topping it with strawberries, blueberries, or Shine Muscat grapes can offer a variety of flavors. Besides being a great choice for holiday parties, it is also recommended as a light dessert to pair with red wine or a highball.

Overall, considering the price, this product is quite satisfying. Cream-filled cake slices at coffee shops typically cost between 7,000 and 8,000 won, making this about 40% cheaper. If you have found yourself repeatedly buying franchise chocolate cakes in the 30,000-won range and having leftovers every year, purchasing two mini cakes and serving them on a plate could be a great alternative for your year-end celebrations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.