A number of Korean stores in Doha have seen an increasing interest among Qataris and expatriates in Korean food products, it is learnt.
Corroborating this trend, an official from the South Korean embassy in Doha said at least three Korean stores are currently operating in Qatar.
“We have noticed a growing interest for Korean food products in Qatar,” he said, noting that major supermarkets and hypermarkets have started displaying more items, especially kimchi, on their shelves.
Speaking to Gulf Times, an employee of Kingdom Food Centre, a newly-opened store in Al Thumama, said they have been receiving an increasing number of walk-in customers over the past few weeks who look for a variety of Korean food items.
“Besides Korean expatriates, many Qataris, Filipinos and other Arab nationals visit our store to buy kimchi, noodles and other authentic Korean stuff,” she noted.
Further, she said the demand for other items such as Korean cooking oil and different kinds of condiments, as well as chocolates, milk and citron tea, is also increasing.
The store, which also offers free delivery, recorded an increase in orders from several Korean and Japanese restaurants operating in various locations in Doha, according to the employee.
“Even other restaurants here that use Korean spices and condiments order products from us,” she added.
The store wants to bring in more items soon to serve their customers, who also look for other popular products and brands.
It is also learnt that many Filipinos who are fond of Korean food often get their orders from a Korean store/grocery along Al Jazeera street in Bin Omran.
Meanwhile, the embassy official said besides Korean food, they have also seen a huge demand for Korean cosmetics and other skincare products in Doha.
The official said like Korean electronics and cars, Korean cosmetics too are world-class and they are known to be popular in other countries.
Gulf Times recently reported that the growing popularity of Korean cosmetics globally had reached the Qatar market with the demand increasing continuously.
The Korean embassy had recorded a surge in exports of Korean cosmetics to Qatar in 2015 compared to previous years.
The embassy official said that from $150,000 in 2013, exports to the country rose to $300,000 in 2014 and tripled to $1mn in 2015.
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