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Korean cuisine is often defined by its hot, spicy dishes,... but people in Korea also
have quite the sweet tooth. It is that hankering for cakes, pastries and
cookies that has more and more businesses bustling for their slice of the pie.
Shin Se-min reports. Chocolate cones filled with choco-balls,... a pearly whipped-cream
cake with raspberries on top... and itty-bitty bite-sized candies...
This is but a small sample of the types of desserts that are literally selling like hotcakes
in Seoul these days. At a department store in the capital, long
lines form in front of this dessert shop as soon as it opens,... and everyone is waiting
for a taste of sweet bliss.
"Only those who are prepared to stand in line and wait at least half an hour will be able
to satisfy their sweet tooth. This particular shop usually closes around mid-day after all
their products have sold out."
"I hear that this dessert is popular,... which makes me want to stand in line and wait. I
came out a little early so I could get a piece before the store runs out."
These customers are hardly alone -- desserts are the latest food craze in Korea.
Though some desserts range in price from four U.S. dollars all the way up to 50,... consumers
don't seem hesitant to open up their wallets.
"Sometimes I spend less on my meal and just get desserts. Because these are a little pricey
for the size,... I sometimes even have dessert instead of a meal."
Sales at this particular department store chain came in at nearly 84 million dollars
in 2013,... surpassing sales of pre-made meals. Korea's leading dessert cafe franchise, which
is owned by one of nation's conglomerates,.. says its business has grown by 20 percent
annually on average since it opened in 2002. Mom-and-pop stores are also getting in on
the act. Experts say the rise in demand for desserts
is partially due to the economic downturn, as consumers crave sweet treats to lift their
spirits in a sluggish economy.
"More people are willing to spend extra on things they categorize as valuable or worthy
enough to invest in, such as cake, while also demanding lower prices on daily necessities,
such as green peppers or potatoes."
As with the rapidly evolving market, the turnover rate for the department store's dessert shops
is extremely high. The shops are on short leases that only last
six to nine months,... which puts more pressure on the industry to come up with the next popular
dessert item. Shin Se-min, Arirang News.