South Korea’s exports of traditional rice cakes reached a fresh high in 2024, data showed, driven by the growing popularity of Korean food around the globe.

Outbound shipments of rice cakes reached $91.4 million in 2024, up 17.5 percent from a year earlier, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The latest figure marks a sharp increase from $34.3 million recorded in 2019.

By destination, exports to the United States amounted to $34 million, followed by the Netherlands with $8 million and Vietnam $6.7 million.

The ministry especially attributed the strong shipments of rice cakes to the growing popularity of “tteokbokki,” the spicy dish made with rice cakes. (Yonhap)