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Monday, March 17, 2025

Korean Hotteok sells like hotcake at Trader Joe’s following Frozen Kimbap

A Korean American consumer looks at Hotteok (Korean pancake) at a Trader Joe’s store in LA Koreatown on October 26. [Sangjin Kim, The Korea Daily]

Korean Hotteok, sweet cinnamon-filled pancakes, have become the latest sensation at Trader Joe’s, following the popularity of Frozen Kimbap.

On October 26, ETNT reported a surge of excitement around Trader Joe’s Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes—Hotteok. This pre-made delight replicates the classic Korean street food staple, earning rave reviews from the store’s patrons.

According to ETNT, Reddit users, particularly from North America’s substantial community, spearheaded the Hotteok’s popularity. The Trader Joe’s Subreddit is abuzz with customers expressing their satisfaction, with comments ranging from “Wow! 10/10. I need to go back and buy more before they’re gone.” to endorsements from Korean customers.

Trader Joe’s Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes have been highlighted as a seasonal favorite as winter approaches. Described as developing a “marvelously toasty brown exterior and pleasantly gooey cinnamon-sugar interior” when cooked, Trader Joe’s commends the pancakes as an indulgent treat, suitable for breakfast or paired with ice cream as a snack.

Earlier in August, Trader Joe’s experienced a similar surge in popularity with the introduction of Frozen Kimbap from South Korea. This product became a quick favorite, selling out in over 560 stores across 42 states within just two weeks. Fans of the Frozen Kimbap can expect restocks to arrive in November.

BY YEJIN KIM, JUNHAN PARK    [kim.yejin3@koreadaily.com]

The Korea Daily
The Korea Daily
Founded in 1974, The Korea Daily (미주중앙일보) is the largest Korean media outlet in the U.S., providing in-depth coverage of local, national, and international news with a strong focus on immigration, business, and the Korean-American community. While covering major cities across the U.S., including New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, and Dallas, as well as Vancouver and Toronto, Canada, The Korea Daily primarily focuses on news in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Headquartered in Koreatown, Los Angeles, it serves as a key news source for Korean Americans in Southern California.