[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Movie theater popcorn has changed. Gone are the days when you simply chose between original and caramel. With the addition of flavors ranging from ramen to peanut butter, cheese, and snack toppings, popcorn itself is becoming a form of “food content.”

Starting on the 2nd, Lotte Cinema is introducing “Yeollae-ramen Popcorn” in partnership with Ottogi. This menu item commemorates the 30th anniversary of Yeollae-ramen’s launch and features popcorn coated in a spicy seasoning, topped with finely crushed “Ppuseo Ppuseo” bits. It’s essentially enjoying the taste of ramen through popcorn.
But it’s not just about the taste. The product will be available for a limited time at about 80 locations nationwide through the end of November, and customers who purchase a combo will receive a scratch-off coupon. A social media (SNS) event offering a year’s supply of Yeol Ramen as a prize is also underway. A giant Yeol Ramen tower will be installed at World Tower, and large Yeol Ramen package sculptures will be set up at 10 locations, including Gimpo Airport and Konkuk University Station.
Lotte Cinema has steadily expanded its lineup of unique menu items, including Butter Garlic Popcorn, Cheese Ball Popcorn, and “Crazy Cheetos Popcorn” topped with snack bits. Now, a box of popcorn is no longer just a snack to eat while watching a movie—it’s become a source of fun in choosing “which flavor to try.”

Other movie theaters are following suit. CGV, centered around its “Popcorn Factory,” offers popcorn with a variety of seasonings and toppings, and has even expanded its sales to include ready-to-eat popcorn packages that can be enjoyed outside the theater.
Megabox is actively incorporating the flavors of familiar food brands into its popcorn, such as the popcorn created in collaboration with the peanut butter brand Skippy. A key feature is that customers can immediately imagine the flavor just by seeing the brand name. CineQ operates a “Seasoning Bar” in addition to its standard popcorn, allowing moviegoers to customize their popcorn to their tastes. The key feature is that customers aren’t limited to choosing from a set menu; they can add seasonings themselves to create their own unique popcorn.
Although the scale and methods vary, there is a growing trend among theaters to establish a distinct identity—the idea that “if you come to our theater, you can enjoy this kind of popcorn.”
A cinema official stated, “While popcorn used to be merely a snack that came with watching a movie, it has now become one of the main attractions of going to the theater,” adding, “The role of food and beverages is growing so much that some moviegoers even choose a theater specifically to enjoy a particular menu item.”