Rice Cake Consumption Changed by the 2030 Generation, Sales Are Increasing While Neighborhood Rice Cake Shops Are Decreasing

While the number of local rice cake shops is decreasing, sales of rice cakes are actually increasing. Recently, products such as pizza seolgi and fruit yogurt glutinous rice cakes aimed at people in their 20s and 30s have gained popularity, and interest among young consumers is growing. Some rice cake shops in Seongdonggu and Jungnanggu in Seoul look quiet, but popular items can still draw long lines. At a brand store near Seoul Station, customers flocked to buy dessertstyle rice cakes, and most of them were young people. Industry insiders and experts point to the expansion of online sales and changing food culture as reasons behind the increase in rice cake consumption. Instead of being sought only as gifts or for events like in the past, more people in their 20s and 30s are now looking for rice cakes as a convenient meal or dessert, and the market is changing as a result.