On June 11, CJ CheilJedang has announced the start of sales of its Bibigo frozen tteokbokki through Kroger, one of the largest retail chains in the United States, marking a significant push to expand its presence in the North American market.
Following the debut of ambient store-bought tteokbokki at Costco in the United States last year, CJ CheilJedang has now entered the mainstream grocery channel with its frozen version. This move at Kroger represents the company’s first export of frozen tteokbokki to mainstream U.S. retail markets.
Frozen tteokbokki offers a chewy texture that surpasses ambient products and can be cooked directly in a frying pan without additional preparation, making it particularly convenient for American consumers seeking quick and easy meal options. Additionally, CJ CheilJedang has added authentic sauces reminiscent of traditional Korean ‘home-style’ tteokbokki to appeal to the growing K-food fanbase.
In recent years, global popularity of tteokbokki has surged, with American consumers gradually becoming more familiar with Korea’s signature sweet and spicy flavor profile. While early market offerings favored milder, localized versions, demand for the authentic, original Korean taste has been rising. From 2020 to 2024, exports of Korean rice cakes to the U.S. grew at an average annual rate of 23%, and CJ CheilJedang’s exports of tteokbokki to the U.S. more than quadrupled year-over-year, reflecting strong market reception.
Currently, CJ CheilJedang exports Bibigo tteokbokki to 49 countries, with major markets such as Japan and France featuring the product in large retail outlets like Costco. Moving forward, the company plans to introduce a wider variety of products in different formats and flavors, further strengthening its global portfolio and expanding distribution channels worldwide.
A company spokesperson stated, “Entering Kroger will significantly broaden Bibigo tteokbokki’s footprint in the U.S. market and support our ongoing efforts to grow internationally.”
