[Provided by Dongwon F&B]
[Provided by Dongwon F&B]

Dongwon F&B has launched three varieties of a new frozen rice product, Yangban Bibim Deulbap Sotbap, a premium hansik-style pot rice seared at 400 degrees Celsius to deliver an open-flame flavor.

The products are made at the company's second plant in Jincheon, the first facility in South Korea to introduce open-flame cooking equipment. The rice is prepared using 100 percent domestically grown grain cooked in a broth of kelp and radish, then stir-fried in a 360-degree rotating wok to keep each grain separate and fluffy. Toppings such as octopus, bracken fern and beef are added before the rice surface is directly heated at 400 degrees Celsius to impart a smoky, charred aroma.

A researcher at Dongwon F&B's home meal replacement division said the company adopted the 360-degree rotating wok technique — a modernized take on traditional iron-pot cooking — to overcome the clumping texture that has long plagued frozen rice. "We then applied direct 400-degree open-flame heat to recreate the deep, smoky flavor of freshly stir-fried rice," the researcher added.

The lineup comprises three varieties. The octopus and sea mustard pot rice combines octopus and hijiki seaweed for a rich, chewy texture with a subtle ocean aroma; it can also be enjoyed ochazuke-style by pouring hot broth or green tea over the rice. The ssamjang pork and bracken fern pot rice pairs open-flame-seared pork and bracken fern with ssamjang paste for a savory depth. The garlic butter steak pot rice rounds out the range with an unconventional combination of beef, butter and garlic.

A product marketer said the Yangban Bibim Deulbap Sotbap line is designed to expand the frozen rice category beyond everyday staples such as kimchi fried rice and shrimp fried rice, bringing the dining experience of a premium hansik restaurant into the home.

The products are designed for convenience as well. Each serving is individually packaged so consumers can take out only what they need, and the rice is ready in three minutes in a microwave. A light coating of oil applied to each grain during production also allows the rice to be pan-fried without adding extra oil. All three varieties are priced at 7,980 won for a 420-gram pack containing two 210-gram pouches.


korean@heraldcorp.com