Table 1. Industrialization of plant-based meat analog products in Korea

Companies	Contents	Commercial products	References
ALTist	- Launched leading plant-based alternative food brands Better than MeatTM and Green ButcherTM.-Low-moisture, high-temperature (LMHT). This process aligns protein tissues in a specific direction and then soaks and tears them to create the texture and mouthfeel of meat.-Launched products such as Better than MeatTM Vegan Soy Meat, Better than MeatTM Roasted Spicy Meat Rice Balls, and Better than MeatTM Plant-Based Tteokgalbi using ingredients such as plant-based protein, fiber, starch, and plant oils derived from soybeans and wheat.	<Better than MeatTM Vegan Soymeat>	ALTist (2022)
		<Better than MeatTM Roasted Spicy Meat Rice Balls>
		<Better than MeatTM Plant-Based Tteokgalbi>
CheilJedang	- In 2021, CJ CheilJedang launched the plant-based brand PlantableTM.-Relies on textured vegetable protein (TVP) to achieve meaty flavor and elastic texture.-Soybean off-flavors are reduced with TasteNrich®, a natural flavoring ingredient developed after 60 years of research and development.-Launched products such as PlantableTM Bibimbap Rice Balls, PlantableTM Bulgogi Rice Balls, and PlantableTM Dumplings.	<PlantableTM Bibimbap Rice Balls>	CJ CheilJedang (2022)
		<PlantableTM Bulgogi Rice Balls>
		<PlantableTM Dumplings>
Dongwon F&B	- Launched MyPlantTM brand with the message, “Plant-based recipes of your choice.”-Pursue a “Total Protein Provider” strategy, expanding product offerings to include all types of proteins.-Launched products, such as MyPlantTM Plant-Based Tuna Taste, MyPlantTM Kimchi Dumplings, and MyPlantTM Original, a plant-based canned ham, which were all applied to Dongwon F&B’s staple tuna and dumpling products.	<MyPlantTM Plant-Based Tuna Taste>	Dongwon (2023)
		<MyPlantTM Kimchi Dumplings>
		<MyPlantTM Original>
FnFresh	- FnFresh, a subsidiary of Foodnamoo, launched Tomorrow’s Meal, a platform specializing in vegan food.-Developed vegan and vegetarian bento boxes under the private brand Vegan PlanTM with the Tomorrow’s Meal platform.-Launched products such as the Vegan PlanTM Vegan Lunch Box and Vegan PlanTM Veggie Lunch Box.	<Vegan PlanTM Vegan Lunch Box>	FnFresh (2022)
		<Vegan PlanTM Veggie Lunch Box>
Hyundai Green Food	- Launched Veggie Life, a vegan snack under its own brand GreatingTM.-Develop vegetarian products with 100% pure plant-based ingredients.-Launched vegan convenience foods, including Veggie Life Veggie Hamburger Steak and Grilled Vegetables and Veggie Life Veggie Meatballs And Conchiglie.	<Veggie Life Veggie Hamburger Steak and Grilled Vegetables>	Hyundai Green Food (2022)
		<Veggie Life Veggie Meatballs and Conchiglie>
Nongshim	- Launched Veggie GardeTM, a vegan food brand based on plant-based alternatives.-Developed high moisture meat analog (HMMA) manufacturing technology that can produce meat-like flavor and texture on its own.-Launched products such as Veggie GardenTM Vegan Dakgangjeong, Veggie GardenTM Dumpling Soup, and Veggie GardenTM Fried Chicken, all made with plant-based proteins, such as peas, chickpeas, and coconut oil.	<Veggie GardenTM Vegan Dakgangjeong>	Nongshim (2022)
		<Veggie GardenTM Dumpling Soup>
		<Veggie GardenTM Fried Chicken>
Pulmuone	- GigusikdanTM, Pulmuone’s premier lifestyle brand in South Korea, utilizes the principle of minimal additives and Pulmuone’s knowledge and patented technology to create products with flavors and textures based solely on plant-based ingredients.-Pulmuone’s proprietary technology for making thin tofu with a unique texture involves cooling soy milk extracted from soybeans, adding coagulant, freezing, thawing, and molding.-Launched plant-based products such as GigusikdanTM Tender with Distinct Texture (Original), GigusikdanTM-Like Meatballs, and GigusikdanTM Luncheon Meat Slices.	<GigusikdanTM Tender with a Distinct Texture (Original)>	Pulmuone (2023)
		<GigusikdanTM-Like Plant-Based Meatballs>
		<GigusikdanTM Plant-Based Luncheon Meat Slices>
Sahmyook Foods	- Launched Samyuk Mall in November 2020, offering SamyukTM food products made with plant-based ingredients.-Developed a line of black bean plant-based alternatives to gluten derived from soy and wheat with the addition of black bean powder.-Launched a variety of products, such as vege burger, black bean plant-based soy protein sausage flavor, and black beans plant-based soy protein ham flavor, using gluten derived from soybeans and wheat.	<SamyukTM Vege Burger>	Sahmyook Foods (2021)
		<SamyukTM Black Bean Plant-Based Soy Protein Sausage Flavor>
		<SamyukTM Black Beans Plant-Based Soy Protein Ham Flavor>
Shinsegae Food	- Launched pork alternative brand BETTERMEATTM.-Dietary fiber and polysaccharides from algae are used to give the ham its unique elasticity and texture, while soy protein and vegetable oils add richness and flavor.-Launched the products BETTERMEATTM Cold-Cut, BETTERMEATTM Sausage Patty, and BETTERMEATTM Premium Luncheon.	<BETTERMEATTM Cold-Cut>	Shinsegae Food (2022)
		<BETTERMEATTM Sausage Patty>
		<BETTERMEATTM Premium Luncheon>
Soymaru	- Founded in 2010 and exclusively manufactures soy protein domestically.-Researching and developing organized soy protein and conducting industrial cooperative research and development projects with Seoul National University.-Patent application on the texture of organized soy proteins via Subid (Application number: 1020230057942; KR Patent No. 102646821, 2024)-Launched products such as vegan gochujang bulgogi, vegan hamburger steak, and vegan cutlets.	<vegan gochujang bulgogi>	Soymaru (2023)
		<vegan hamburger steak>
		<vegan cutlets>
Vegefood	- “Vegefood” comes from the Latin for “whole, wholesome, sound, healthy-vegetus” and “food.”-Started in 2001 as the only vegetarian company in the Korean food industry with the launch of soy ham made from soy protein.-Launched products such as marinated soy barbecue, vege mix balls, and soy ham.	<soy barbecue>	Vegefood (2018)
		<vege mix balls>
		<soy ham>
Zikooin Company	- Founded UNLIMEATTM, which means meat that has no restrictions on appearance, cooking, or gastronomy.-Utilizes grain processing byproducts, defatted soybean flour, and rice bran to develop lean, protein-rich, plant-based sliced meat products.-Patent application (Application No. 10-2022-0112141) for an animal fat replacement composition containing no animal ingredients and a method of manufacturing a plant-based patty utilizing the composition (KR Patent No. 102588773, 2023).-Launched products such as UNLIMEATTM Plant-Based Bulgogi Rice Bites Gochujang, UNLIMEATTM Plant-Based Bulgogi & Spicy Pepper Kimbap, and UNLIMEATTM Pulled BBQ (Original/Stir-Fried Gochujang Flavor).	<UNLIMEATTM Plant-Based Bulgogi Rice Bites Gochujang>	UNLIMEAT (2022)
		<UNLIMEATTM Plant-Based Bulgogi & Spicy Pepper Kimbap>
		<UNLIMEATTM Pulled BBQ (Original/Stir-Fried Gochujang)>