Nurungji and yakgwa become convenience-store snacks: Seven-Eleven's four 'K-Inbound' items

What is on the shelf

Announced on Sept. 21 and on sale from the 23rd. Three 'K-Heritage Snacks': a nurungji snack made with Korean rice, a kimchi-flavored version, and mini rice yakgwa. A Jeju hallabong wafer filled with hallabong cream makes four.

Packaging that doubles as a souvenir

The packs reinterpret traditional Korean imagery in a modern design, with English, Chinese and Japanese on the front.

The wafer comes in a 10-piece pack, designed for snacking on the go or handing out as gifts.

Why nurungji and yakgwa now

Seven-Eleven's foreign-customer sales rose 59% year on year in January to August. eToday noted that Korean convenience stores have become a tourist stop for experiencing everyday Korea.

Kim Eun-ji, an MD on the PB team, said the company will keep finding Korean ingredients that suit foreign tourists' spending habits and launch differentiated K-food products.

Before you buy

- The announcement gives no price or list of stores. Check at your nearest Seven-Eleven. - Only the nurungji snack comes in a kimchi flavor. The yakgwa and wafer lean sweet. - For gifts, the 10-piece hallabong wafer is the easiest to hand out.