Korean snack subscription boxes are going international. Here’s why
Korean snack subscription boxes have gained significant momentum since 2020, riding the wave of increased interest in Korean culture through K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine. The boxes serve as a tangible connection to Korean food culture, offering subscribers a regular supply of treats that might otherwise be difficult to find outside South Korea.
Read more: Inside Korea’s street food scene: A journey through time and taste
Marking a delicious intersection of food culture, convenience, and the worldwide appreciation for South Korean treats, these carefully curated boxes, delivered monthly to doorsteps across the globe, bring the exciting flavours of Korean convenience stores directly to international consumers.
What are Korean snack subscription boxes?
Korean snack subscription boxes are monthly delivery services that package an assortment of popular Korean snacks, sweets, and sometimes drinks for international customers. Each box typically contains up to 15 items, ranging from beloved Korean crisps and biscuits to seasonal treats and newly released confectionery items.
See also: The history of banchan, the heart of Korean dining
These subscription services have gained significant momentum since 2020, riding the wave of increased interest in Korean culture through K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine. The boxes serve as a tangible connection to Korean food culture, offering subscribers a regular supply of treats that might otherwise be difficult to find outside South Korea.
The boxes typically include a mix of popular Korean staples such as Honey Butter Chips, Turtle Chips, shrimp crackers, Pepero (chocolate-covered pretzel sticks), Choco Pie, Market O Real Brownies, Milkis, Shin Ramyun, a range of Buldak products, and more.
Popular Korean snack subscription services
Several companies have established themselves as leaders in this growing market. Here are some of the most popular ones.
SnackfeverMysterious monthly boxes featuring both classic and trending Korean snacks that are perfect for munching on while binge-watching the latest K-drama, as well as some K-beauty products in certain subscription tiers. Snackfever ships anywhere in the world and features exclusive items from major Korean manufacturers and special Snackfever merchandise.
Don’t miss: Guilty pleasures: Foods loved by your favourite Korean celebrities
SeoulboxCurated themed monthly collections that include Korean drinks, instant noodles, and snacks that are exclusive to Korea and not found in local Asian supermarkets. It also includes K-beauty products and K-pop merchandise. The service ships worldwide directly out of Korea with tracking.
KSnack BoxThis subscription service specialises in handpicked regional Korean snacks featuring limited-edition seasonal items. Everything KSnack Box comes packed with 15 Korean snacks, including traditional Korean sweets and one face mask. As KSnack Box champions community and sustainability, they work closely with local artisans to support the Korean economy and ensure that their snacks are made with love and care.
Why are they growing internationally?
The global popularity of Korean entertainment has created a strong desire among international audiences to experience various aspects of Korean culture. Food serves as an accessible entry point, with snacks offering an easy way to sample Korean flavours. These colourful, photogenic snacks have also found a natural home on social media platforms. Unboxing videos and snack reviews have become content staples, driving awareness and interest in Korean snack subscriptions.
Read more: The best street food markets in Seoul, South Korea
For many international consumers, accessing Korean snacks through local shops can be challenging. Subscription boxes eliminate the need to hunt down specific items and introduce subscribers to new treats they might not have discovered otherwise. The constant introduction of new products keeps the subscription box contents fresh and exciting for subscribers.
Korean snack subscription companies are also developing more sophisticated customisation options, including dietary requirement considerations, personalised flavour preferences, size variations for different household needs, and premium tier options featuring limited-edition items. The success of these services has also prompted similar subscription boxes from other Asian countries, creating a broader market for international snack discovery.
NOW READ
6 snack ideas according to your favourite movie genre
The most iconic Disneyland snacks to try at the happiest place on Earth