Allgot has begun exporting new vegan gimbap products created in collaboration with one of the country’s most renowned Buddhist temples to enhance the global appeal of this classic Korean dish, according to the frozen gimbap producer.
Allgot partnered with Hwaeom Temple in Gurye County, South Jeolla Province, to launch “temple gimbap.” This new lineup features steamed rice rolls made from natural ingredients that Korean Buddhist practitioners grow and harvest themselves. Hwaeom Temple, the head temple of the country’s 19th parish, is renowned for its national treasures and other important heritage.
Greenmata, a Korean company specializing in vegan food developed by the temple, signed a deal with Allgot to co-develop and export new vegan gimbap offerings.
Allgot plans to export the vegan gimbap products to the United States and Europe. The company has been exporting traditional gimbap to the U.S. 스포츠 since last year, where sales have surged and demand has outstripped production capacity. As a result, Allgot is expanding the production lines at its factory in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.
Allgot expects its gimbap range to benefit from the growing interest in Korean Buddhism among tourists visiting Seoul. Temple stays, promoted by the Korea Tourism Organization, have gained popularity among foreign visitors, while temple food — vegan meals offered by Buddhist leaders — has sparked a new trend among health-conscious food enthusiasts worldwide.
The company added that the food aims to transcend veganism and embody Buddhist principles of compassion and respect for life, along with key cultural insights from Korean Buddhism, reaching consumers worldwide.
“Through this new venture, various frozen gimbap will promote K-Food, one of the key pillars of the Korean wave, beyond the U.S. to the whole world, enhancing K-Food’s global popularity,” an Allgot official said.
Allgot and Greenmata plan to introduce more Hwaeom Temple food to international markets, including frozen bibimbap, dumplings, beverages, and products featuring “gochujang” (red- hot pepper paste) or “doenjang” (soybean paste) as signature sauces. Greenmata has already launched the Hwaeomsa Vegan Burger.
“Starting with the burger, Hwaeom Temple food will promote K-foods as a global mainstream,” Woo Eui-soo, CEO of Greenmata, said.
As a start-up, Allgot gained attention last year when its frozen gimbap products caused a sensation in the U.S. The company’s initial export to Trader Joe’s, an American grocery chain, generated significant local buzz and led to many products selling out. This success triggered a chain reaction in Korea, enabling Allgot to secure multiple supply deals, including with the supermarket chain E-Mart.