Samlip (005610) said on Oct. 13 that it has named actor Gong Myoung as the face of its Samlip Hoppang brand — a steamed, filled bun popular as a winter snack in Korea — and will roll out 20 new varieties for the winter season.
The company has assembled an unusually wide range of flavors this year. It is launching two taco-inspired products: Kimchi Taco Hoppang, a fusion of kimchi and Mexican taco salsa, and Classic Taco Hoppang, which draws on guacamole ranch sauce and cumin for an exotic flavor.
A premium line is also available, including Black Sugar Red Bean Hoppang and Sweet Rice Punch Whole Red Bean Hoppang, which pair traditional sweeteners such as black sugar and gamju with modern baking techniques.
Other products come from collaborations with popular intellectual property. A tie-up with Tamagotchi yields Pork and Chive Hoppang and the sweet-and-spicy Chili Dog Hoppang, while a partnership with the Hoppang-man character produces Chestnut Red Bean Hoppang and Curry Hoppang. The Tamagotchi and Hoppang-man products come with collectible stickers.
The lineup also includes Taro Milk Tea Hoppang, Yellow Cheese Hoppang, Red Bean & Milk Hoppang, Samyang Buldak Hoppang in vegetable and pizza flavors and Corn Cheese Buldak Hoppang — all developed with Samyang Foods' Buldak brand — and Basil Cheese Hoppang, which highlights the aroma of basil pesto.
"This winter's Samlip Hoppang uses a fermented rice starter made with patented lactic acid bacteria and rice flour, giving the buns a softer, chewier texture and deeper flavor, while our steady seller Kimchi Hoppang has switched its filling from stir-fried kimchi to fresh kimchi, significantly improving both texture and savoriness," a Samlip official said. "We built out a diverse lineup so that anyone can find a hoppang that suits their taste."