According to the hospitality industry on Tuesday, Walkerhill Hotel & Resort made its first U.S. export of seven tons of “Walkerhill Kimchi” last month, targeting Los Angeles, where demand was so high that half of the shipment sold out within a day. Fresh-style “young radish” kimchi sold particularly fast, with American customers praising the authentic flavor and freshness.
Walkerhill said it spent two years developing special packaging technology to slow natural fermentation, allowing kimchi to retain its just-made taste even after long-distance shipping. A second shipment is set to depart this month, with expansion plans into Mexico, Canada, and Southeast Asia. The hotel is also redeveloping recipes for its premium “SUPEX Kimchi” line for export.
Walkerhill, the first Korean hotel to enter the kimchi business, established a kimchi research lab in 1989, launched the SUPEX brand in 1997, and introduced its current label in 2018. Sales have soared — up 72 percent year-on-year through August and nearly tripled compared to 2023.
Josun Hotels & Resorts, operator of the Westin Josun brand, aims to achieve 100 billion won ($72 million) in kimchi sales by 2030 and expand overseas. Riding a wave of demand for premium kimchi during the pandemic, its kimchi line has posted double-digit annual growth every year since 2021. A new production plant is slated to open early next year to support exports.
