Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Pulmuone kimchi hits Walmarts across US
Pulmuone's kimchi products / Courtesy of Pulmuone
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Pulmuone will supply its kimchi products to all Walmart stores across the U.S., the company said Friday. This is by far the largest partnership between a Korean ready-made kimchi manufacturer and the U.S. retailer.
The food company said kimchi will be sold at 3,900 Walmart stores and 1,100 Publix stores to target all Americans, not just those of Korean descent. The products will hit the shelves of nearly 5,000 stores by July.
Kimchi has long been a staple in Korean cuisine, which could be found only in Asian grocery stores.
But it is crossing into the mainstream market in the U.S. thanks to its health benefits. Kimchi contains high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
“After U.S. magazine 'Health' named kimchi one of the world's five healthiest foods, kimchi has caught on with consumers in the U.S.,” a Pulmuone official said.
“More and more consumers are getting a taste for Asian food, and with the Korean wave penetrating America thanks to K-pop artists such as BTS, the millennial and Gen Z consumers in the U.S. are increasingly familiar with Korean food.”
Pulmuone's entrance into the giant retailer is a result of careful planning and hard work exerted over two years, according to the company.
The food company was chosen due to its nationwide network to cover for the U.S. market and supplying kimchi products that are made in Korea.
Pulmuone kimchi products are offered with an optimal fermentation level, temperature control and taste, alleviating the odors of kimchi that might have been considered offensive to some American consumers.
Its products will come in four types, all for vegans (free of any salted fish or shrimp), which may receive good responses from the vegan food market.
On the sidelines, Pulmuone completed the Iksan plant in North Jeolla Province in May to produce and export kimchi products.
The plant is equipped with a fully automatic production line. All manufacturing processes involve Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and IP cameras to monitor the temperature, humidity and other factors that can affect the taste of kimchi.
The kimchi products will be sold under the brand of Nasoya, a No.1 brand in the U.S. tofu market owned by Pulmuone Foods USA.