The most popular item sold at rest stops nationwide was the Americano (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Koreans hit the road for holiday travel, highway rest stops become essential destinations for refueling and grabbing snacks.
During last year’s Chuseok holiday (September 14-18, 2024), the most popular item sold at rest stops nationwide was the Americano, generating 2.27 billion won ($1.57 million USD) in sales, according to data from the Korea Expressway Corporation.
Walnut pastries, a perennial favorite, followed closely with sales of 1.98 billion won, while canned coffee and other prepackaged coffee drinks ranked third at 1.88 billion won.
Other popular items included packaged snacks (1.31 billion won), rice cake skewers (1.07 billion won), café lattes, hot dogs, dried squid, chicken skewers, and sausages.
The trend during the 2024 Lunar New Year holiday (February 9-12) was slightly different, with walnut pastries taking the top spot at 1.84 billion won, followed by Americanos at 1.63 billion won.
Experts attribute the popularity of coffee to its caffeine’s alertness-boosting effects, which are essential for long drives. Handheld and easy-to-eat snacks also appeal to travelers seeking convenience on the go.
As holiday travel spikes during these periods, South Korea’s highway rest stops continue to thrive as hubs for quick and satisfying refreshments.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
