Ingredients sourced through contract farming with domestic rice and oat growers
Ssangjideul Traditional Food Co.'s "Oat Nurungji Hanjan" has won the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs minister's award at the ministry's 2026 Rice Processed Food Competition.
Along with the award comes a prize of 3 million won ($1,970), support for placement on major retail platforms and promotional assistance at various rice consumption campaigns.
The rice processed food competition is a national annual event held to boost domestic rice consumption and strengthen the competitiveness of the rice processing industry.
This year, products submitted from across the country underwent document screening, a marketability assessment by retail merchandising specialists, an on-site hygiene inspection and a final comprehensive evaluation. Ten outstanding rice processed products were ultimately selected.
The minister's award-winning "Oat Nurungji Hanjan" is a nurungji — scorched-rice — product developed using domestic rice and oats, designed for easy, on-the-go enjoyment suited to modern tastes.
Ssangjideul Traditional Food, based in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, was founded in 2013 and produces a range of rice-based processed foods, including nurungji and rice snacks.
The company sources raw materials through contract farming with local growers, while also developing domestic and overseas sales channels and running community sharing programs for underprivileged groups.
The award-winning product will be on display at the Rice Plus General Exhibition Hall of the 2026 Rice Processed Food Industry Fair through Friday, a four-day showcase for visitors.
Park Sang-mi, head of the South Jeolla Province agricultural food and retail division, said the award was "a valuable achievement that showcases the outstanding competitiveness of South Jeolla's rice processed foods to the entire nation."
parkds@heraldcorp.com
