[Edaily Reporter Kim Ji-woo ] Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. In this destination, known worldwide as a popular honeymoon spot, Korean napa cabbage kimchi is being sold without the need for refrigeration. The product currently available on a local food distributor’s online store is CJ CheilJedang Corp.’s “Bibigo Sliced Napa Cabbage Kimchi.” Packaged in 150g single-serving portions—perfect for one meal—the product excludes salted seafood and is designed to be stored at room temperature. By transforming kimchi—a product traditionally expected to be distributed via refrigerated channels—into a room-temperature food, the company has expanded its market reach to the other side of the globe.

The food industry is taking note of the potential of ambient-temperature foods. While such products were traditionally perceived as items for long-term storage—such as instant rice or curry—the product range has recently expanded to include everything from kimchi to soups, stews, noodles, and boxed meals. As food processing and packaging technologies have advanced, the variety of foods capable of maintaining quality at ambient temperatures has grown; moreover, the ability to reduce costs and distribution constraints associated with refrigerated and frozen logistics is emerging as a key competitive advantage.

According to industry sources on the 20th, CJ CheilJedang Corp has developed kimchi that can be distributed at room temperature by applying fermentation control technology and is leveraging this to expand exports. Kimchi is a food product for which temperature control during distribution is critical, as its taste and quality change as fermentation progresses. The company has found a breakthrough to address this vulnerability. The product is currently sold through major retail channels, including Costco in European countries such as the United Kingdom, and the company entered the Mauritian market in the second half of last year. The company has also secured vegan and halal certifications to improve accessibility for local consumers.

CJ CheilJedang Corp. has also developed Bibigo Tteokbokki in ambient-temperature pouches and cups, exporting it to 49 countries, including the United States, Japan, and Australia. In the U.S., the product is available at major retailers such as Walmart, Costco, and Kroger. By commercializing the product in a form that does not require refrigerated or frozen storage, the company has laid the groundwork for Korean street food to become a staple in the daily shopping lists of overseas consumers.

In the food industry, ambient-temperature products are gaining attention as particularly advantageous for targeting overseas markets. This is because, while refrigerated and frozen products require a “cold chain” to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the entire process—from production to transportation, storage, and sale—room-temperature products can utilize standard logistics networks, resulting in relatively lower transportation and storage costs. Furthermore, local retailers can handle these products without separate refrigeration or freezing facilities, broadening the range of potential sales outlets. This advantage can be particularly significant in regions with insufficient cold-chain logistics infrastructure.

Consequently, some companies are positioning ambient-temperature foods as a growth engine. Pulmuone Corporate launched a “Task Force Team (TFT) for Revitalizing the Ambient-Temperature Business” early last year and began expanding its product lineup. In the first half of this year, sales of ambient-temperature products increased by 25.5% compared to the same period last year. The share of room-temperature products in total food sales also rose from approximately 7% in the first half of 2024 to 13% in the first half of this year. Room-temperature soups and noodle products led this growth. The four varieties of room-temperature noodles launched last August also saw monthly sales increase by more than 600% compared to the initial launch period.

Notably, the product line is expanding beyond instant rice and sauces to include side dishes and main courses. OTOKI has also introduced microwave-ready meals that can be stored at room temperature, such as grilled beef short ribs, meatballs, braised mackerel with kimchi, and braised pork short ribs, while LOTTE WELLFOOD has launched room-temperature soups and stews in collaboration with famous restaurants. CJ CheilJedang Corp. recently released the “Balance Meal Low-Sugar Lunch Box,” which contains chicken breast and whole-grain rice.

Behind these changes lie advancements in pasteurization, sterilization, aseptic filling, fermentation control, and packaging technology. Technologies that can maintain flavor and texture while suppressing microbial growth and quality degradation at room temperature are broadening the scope of product development.

An industry official stated, “Room-temperature technology is evolving as a means to expand the market,” adding, “Domestically, it enhances the convenience of storage and preparation, while overseas, it reduces the constraints of cold-chain logistics, thereby broadening sales channels.”