Fried hicken franchise KFC Korea Co. released a limited edition fried chicken skin in June 2019. (image: Instagram)
SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — Skin snacks such as pig skin are gaining popularity as a growing number of Koreans are staying indoors to avoid the coronavirus.
Gmarket, an online shopping mall, reported that snacks made with pollack skin were 21 times higher from January 1 to 25 compared to the same period last year.
Chicken skin snacks, popular at beer parties, saw sales jump by 182 percent, while sales of pig skin snacks rose by 66 percent.
Some foods commonly understood as ‘side dishes’ have even acquired permanent seats on the menu.
Fried chicken franchise KFC Korea Co. released a limited edition fried chicken skin in June 2019, which gained massive popularity after the company sold more than 6,000 packs the day it was released.
In May of last year, fried chicken skin became a permanent fixture on the menu at the chicken franchise.
Foodmaker Daesang Corp. recently released fried chicken skin packs that can be cooked with an air fryer at home.
“More consumers are looking for snacks made with animal skins for home-alone drinking as the coronavirus pandemic drags on,” said a source familiar with the food industry.
“After the government introduced stricter social distancing measures forcing eateries to offer delivery only after 9 p.m., online sales of skin snacks surged.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
