“Eating Alone” Diners Drive Growth of Onigiri-style Gimbap, Instant Rice

Rice consumption per capita may be on the decline, but data indicates that the popularity of instant rice, lunch boxes and onigiri-style samgak (triangle) gimbap is on the upswing thanks to the increasing proclivity for diners to eat unaccompanied. (Image: Yonhap)

SEJONG, Jan. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — Rice consumption per capita may be on the decline, but data indicates that the popularity of instant rice, lunch boxes and onigiri-style samgak (triangle) gimbap is on the upswing thanks to the increasing proclivity for diners to eat unaccompanied.

During the 2017 marketing year for rice announced by Statistics Korea (Nov. 1, 2016 through October 31, 2017), the food product sector used 114,341 tons of rice, 14.1 percent more than during the previous year.

Cup rice (Image: Yonhap)

Food products manufactured in this sector go to big box retailers and convenience stores in the form of samgak gimbap, lunch boxes, instant rice, and cup rice.

Rice used at restaurants is counted in a separate category.

An official at Statistics Korea said, “After the ‘eating alone’ habit became widespread starting with cup rice, lunch boxes and other prepared food products became more sought after, leading to increased usage of rice as a key ingredient in the food product sector.”

Instant rice (Image: Yonhap)

Rice usage by producers of noodles, macaroni and other similar products has also increased to 13,896 tons this year, 39.8 percent higher than last year.

Statistics Korea explained the growth in usage could be explained by larger output.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)