Daesang, a leading food company, announced a large-scale kimchi factory in Los Angeles and is pursuing the construction of a new plant in Poland. The company’s JONGGA kimchi brand is collaborating with renowned restaurants in the US and Australia to offer a variety of kimchi-based dishes. By partnering with popular local eateries, from casual franchises to fine dining establishments and traditional Korean cuisine, Daesang aims to showcase the appeal of kimchi to a broad audience.
In the US, “Rockstar Chicken,” a New York-based brand known for its slogan “Korean Flavor, New York Attitude,” is set to introduce “JONGGA Kimchi Chicken Sandwich” and “JONGGA Kimchi French Fries” at five locations in New York through March of next year. These menu items were previewed at the “Head in the Clouds Los Angeles 2025” music festival, where they received a hugely positive response. Additionally, merchandise featuring both brands’ emblems, such as t-shirts and tableware, will be used for store décor.
The collaboration with “KOCHI” in New York, a fine dining Korean restaurant that earned a Michelin 1-star in 2021, will develop new kimchi-based products. KOCHI is operated by Chef Sungchul Shim, a former chef at the Michelin 3-star restaurant “Per Se.”
In Australia, the popular Korean restaurant “CHAE” in Melbourne will offer a special kimchi-themed course menu in October and November. The course will use kimchi at various stages of fermentation to create a wide flavor spectrum. The dining experience, offered through a reservation lottery, will continue until July next year, including a “Kimchi Making Workshop” for hands-on participation.
Daesang aims to reinterpret kimchi as a new culinary content rather than just a side dish, showcasing its unlimited potential worldwide. The company plans to expand partnerships with more global restaurants and food brands.
In response to the growing kimchi demand in the US and Europe, Daesang established a large kimchi factory in LA in 2022, a first for a Korean food company, and is also working on setting up a new facility in Krakow, Poland. Currently, Daesang’s products, including locally adapted versions, are available in major market channels across the US and Europe to support kimchi’s mainstream popularity.
Daesang also actively promotes kimchi’s quality and appeal worldwide through pop-up stores, cooking contests, and participation in music festivals, embodying its status as the global No.1 packaged kimchi brand.