Cup-Bap (Cup Rice) vs. Het-Ban
“Het-Ban, instant rice that is more delicious
than steamed rice” is the title of Het-Ban, which was first introduced in 1996.
Het-Ban is one of many products that was suited for busy modern man’s dietary
life. And the product has been a hit ever since it was first introduced to the
market.
But there showed up a rival that threatens
Het-Ban’s stronghold. It is “Cup-Bap.” While the existing Het-Ban is just plain
steamed white rice, this “Cup-Bap” is rice served with soup or seasoning that
can be a complete meal. It is similar as combat ration that field servicemen
eat. As major companies entered into the “Cup-Bap” market, it is not hard to
find frozen rice and dried rice products at the convenience stores and the
superstores.
“Cup-Bap” was first produced to meet the needs of
growing populations that enjoy outside activities. Now “Cup-Bap” is bringing
its convenience up to single-person households who are likely to skip meals and
campers in order to settle down as a hit product.
I am not certain about when and where the
“Cup-Bap” was made for the first time, but it was 2005 when I first had
“Cup-Bap.” I went to Norayngjin for the first time in order to attend a
meeting, and that place was like a street food heaven. Many of the foods were
priced only 1,000 won (1 U.S. dollar). There was a variety of food such as
chicken skewer, pancake, spaghetti, jajangmyeon (black-bean-sauce noodles),
etc., and among them the “Cup-Bap” was the one to appease my hunger. Back then
the “Cup-Bap” was just as simple as with kimchi and sausages, and I think it
was probably the best convenience food for the students who are studying for
their big examinations in the Noryangjin area.
<image=https://goo.gl/TcksJM>
In those days, “Cup-Bap” was not widely known
outside the Noryangjin area, and it was rarely sold at the huge market or the
convenience store. No major companies were interested in producing the
“Cup-Bap.” In 2012, as the street vendors were found illegal and also their hygiene
problems came to the fore, the government required to tear down the illegal
street vendors. And ironically, that is when the major companies entered into
the “Cup-Bap” market. As the major companies with their clean and neat image
produced the “Cup-Bap”, and the products were out in the convenience stores,
the “Cup-Bap” became widely popular.
As I write this column, I bought myself a
“Cup-Bap” from a convenience store. I’ve heard a lot about this but never tried
it before. I chose SPAM fried rice made by CJ. I imagined it to taste like the
combat ration, but this “Cup-Bap” was much softer since it was made of
non-dried rice and tasted fine overall.
In my thinking, the market for “Cup-Bap” will
keep growing, since the needs of single-person households and campers to find
convenient meals are growing, and the “Cup-Bap” made up for the weakness of
Het-Ban that it needs side dishes. Perhaps for the people who are into
well-being foods, the frozen food and dried food may sound unhealthy, but I
think it is still much healthier than fast foods.
Edit By KCS
※ This article appears in the 2nd edition of TREND READERS magazine
- Original Text
 vs. Het-Ban “Het-Ban, instant rice that is more delicious than steamed rice” is the title of Het-Ban, which was...){kind=link}
Post a Comment