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[WSJ] The Potato Chip Frenzy in Korea

July 8, 2015

Stores can’t keep ‘Honey Butter Chip’ in stock; for international foodies, could this be the next Sriracha?

 

Getting hold of Honey Butter Chip packs is becoming increasingly difficult as demand far exceeds supply amid the growing popularity of the snack. (Korea Times file)

Getting hold of Honey Butter Chip packs is still difficult as demand far exceeds supply amid the growing popularity of the snack. (Korea Times file)

[THE WALL STREET JOURNAL] —  A frenzy over a potato chip in South Korea isn’t letting up.

Nearly a year after its launch, Honey Butter Chip remains a wildly popular and difficult-to-track-down snack in South Korea. Some retailers say they have introduced rationing, limiting customers to a few bags to prevent hoarding. Local news media have featured stories of stores trying to prevent fights between customers competing for the snack.

“When we get our weekly delivery, we have folks lining up to buy Honey Butter Chip 30 minutes before we open,” said a security guard at one of Seoul’s big supermarkets.

Potato prices in South Korea have doubled partly as a result of increased demand for the chips. Retailers sell other less-popular products bundled together with the chips. In one deal, used-car dealer SK Encar sold a Fiat 500 online with two boxes of the chips taped to the car door. [READ MORE]