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Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-burgers hit US: Lotteria debuts in California with major buzz
The Korean burger chain's first US location in Fullerton, California, draws long lines at its soft opening with a menu that blends Korean ingredients and local tastes The Korean burger chain Lotteria has made a sizzling debut in the United States, with its pre-opening event drawing large crowds despite the sweltering heat in the homeland of fast food. Lotteria opened its first US store on Monday in Fullerton, California, a city with a large population of Korean and other Asian residents, industry sources said Wednesday. The Fullerton branch is hosting a three-day soft opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The official opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday. Even in the scorching weather, visitors queued for up to two hours before the event, holding umbrellas for shade, as seen in videos on social media. "Staff handed out umbrellas and bottled water for free while people waited," said a TikToker who visited the store. "I arrived at opening time but still had to wait 30 minutes before getting my burger," another attendee wrote on X. Some videos showed vehicles lining up to enter the store's parking lot, with staff taking orders from drivers. The signature items at Lotteria's first US store are its Bulgogi (Korean-style marinated beef) Burger and Shrimp Burger, which are sold as combos with French fries and a soft drink for $12.77 and $13.27, respectively. Other combo options include the Bibim Rice Burger, featuring beef and a fried egg between buns made of rice, for $12.77, and the Bulgogi and Shrimp Burger, combining bulgogi and shrimp patties, for $15.77. The price of a single burger starts at $6.49. The Bulgogi Deluxe Burger, created for local tastes, stood out for its thicker patty and ample bulgogi topping, which drew interest from Korean users online. "The patty definitely got thicker in the US. If they sold burgers with patties that thick in Korea, I'd pay extra for them," a Korean user wrote on TikTok. Although priced higher than in Korea, Lotteria's US offerings are viewed as competitive when compared with American burger chains such as Five Guys and Shake Shack. At Five Guys, a single burger typically ranges from $8.09 to $13.67. The store's interior features touches of Korean culture. A sign with the word 'Lotteria' in Korean hangs above the main entrance, while a painting of the former presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, hangs on the wall inside, a YouTube video showed. Lotte Group's food franchise arm Lotte GRS — the operator of the burger chain — established its US subsidiary in California in the first half of last year and has been preparing to open the store since early this year. Lotteria's store in Fullerton -- home to one of the largest Korean communities in the state -- is in a large shopping center with outlets such as Walmart and Costco, a location that could help attract customers in the store's early stage. The burger franchise has been accelerating its overseas expansion and now operates more than 320 stores in countries including Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Mongolia. It has also confirmed plans to enter Malaysia and Singapore following its US launch, sources said.
Korea Herald
12-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Make your stopover in Korea count
New K-Stopover program makes turning a layover into a trip easier. with curated glimpses into Korean culture, history and hospitality. Targeting international travelers with layovers of 24 to 72 hours at Incheon Airport, Korea is offering a 'K-Stopover' program to help them make the most of their time here. The specialized travel program provides curated tour packages covering accommodation, transportation, guided tours and cultural experiences. The initiative is open to those whose layovers in Korea extend between one and three days. 'There's so much to discover even in just 48 hours,' said a representative from Incheon Airport. 'Whether it's exploring Seoul's royal palaces, tasting traditional Korean street food or feeding seagulls off the Incheon coast, 'K-Stopover' offers something memorable for everyone.' The program currently offers nine package options. Explore Korean culture and food in Seoul 'Seoul Exploration: Cultural Highlights and K-Food Experience' package costs $390 per person and spans two days and one night. Participants must book in groups of at least four, with daily departures available. The itinerary includes some of Seoul's most iconic destinations such as former presidential complex Cheong Wa Dae, HiKR Ground, a K-pop and media art experience center, and a live performance known as 'The Painters,' which combines visual art and performance theater. Visitors also get to dive deep into Korean cuisine with the five included meals and picnic at Seoul Botanic Park. Explore beyond Seoul For travelers looking to explore beyond Seoul, the 'Incheon & Seoul Splendor Tour: Highlights & Beyond' package offers a mix of coastal charm and historic exploration for $425 per person. The tour begins in Incheon, where guests board a ferry at Gueup Terminal to Wolmido Island and feed seagulls while enjoying scenic views. The day continues with a walk through Wolmi Park and a guided 'Story Tour' of the city's Open Port Area, which showcases colonial-era architecture and multicultural influences dating back to 1883. Sinpo International Market, a local favorite for Korean-style fried chicken known as dakgangjeong, adds a flavorful finish to the day's schedule. The second day brings visitors to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, followed by stops at Insa-dong and Gwangjang Market, famous for its bustling food stalls and traditional wares. Both tours include accommodations at four-star hotels, ground transportation, travel insurance and an English-speaking guide. Hotel options include well-known properties such as Amanti Hotel Seoul and Shilla Stay Samsung, depending on availability and tour selection. Meals are also included, though the exact number varies based on arrival and departure times. The rates are based on double occupancy, so additional charges apply for solo travelers or those extending their stay beyond the program's time frame. Travelers interested in participating can book directly at After paying a deposit, they'll receive a confirmation voucher. Upon arrival in Korea, participants can visit the Stopover Registration Desk located in Terminal 1 (between exits 1 and 2) or Terminal 2 (near exit 3) to finalize their registration and receive further instructions. The program requires passengers to be in transit at Incheon International Airport with a stay in Korea between 24 and 72 hours. Access to a tour is subject to standard immigration clearance. Airport officials say the initiative not only enriches the travel experience but also supports local tourism in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. 'It's a win-win,' said the spokesperson. 'Travelers get a brief yet meaningful look at Korea, and the country gets to showcase its culture to a global audience.'
Japan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae-myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon, and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defense ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation, which organizes visits, said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment, visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae-myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Visitors rush to see South Korea's Blue House before presidential return
SEOUL, June 19 (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have thronged the Blue House in central Seoul in recent months to get their last glimpse of the historic compound before it is returned to official use as the home and office of the country's president. Lee Jae Myung, who won a snap election on June 3, plans to move into the Blue House soon and access to some buildings will be restricted from mid-July, the presidential office announced last week. Former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after briefly declaring martial law, broke with decades of tradition by shifting his office and residence out of the compound and opening it to the public. "I heard this place will likely be closed soon. So I wanted to come at least once before that happened," said An Hyun, 62, an office worker from Wonju in northeastern Gangwon Province who was visiting the Blue House this week. "Now that I've seen it, it's really neat and tidy. I don't understand why they moved out of here," said An. Soon after taking office in 2022, Yoon moved the presidential office to a cluster of former defence ministry buildings in another area of central Seoul. The move whipped up a fierce debate among experts on feng shui, a practice that originated in ancient China to ensure harmony between people and their environment, after some political rivals accused Yoon of being influenced by those who said the Blue House location was inauspicious. The Blue House, or "Cheong Wa Dae" in Korean, is named after the blue tiles that cover the top of the main building and is nestled in a scenic spot in front of the Bugaksan mountain. The Blue House Foundation that organises visits said tours to see the ornate state rooms and manicured lawns were fully booked until mid-July. More than 8 million people had taken the chance to visit the Blue House by mid-June, data from the foundation showed. After an initial surge of interest when the complex first opened to the public in 2022, the number of monthly visitors had drifted down to average about 160,000 last year, but after Yoon's impeachment visitor numbers hit 260,000 in April and 430,000 in May. Another visitor this week, Jin Kyung-soo, a 35-year-old middle-school teacher, had also made a reservation to visit after hearing that the new administration planned to move in again. "We waited in line for about an hour, but it was truly exciting and joyful. I looked around with great hope for what the Lee Jae Myung government will do going forward," said Jin.
Korea Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
‘Blue House' emblem revived as Lee's return nears
The Lee Jae-myung administration has decided to reintroduce the traditional Cheong Wa Dae, or Blue House, insignia for the presidential office, Lee's office announced Friday. The administration will discontinue the current presidential office emblem, which features the Yongsan office building, as preparations continue for a return to the former presidential compound. However, the emblem will temporarily display the wording 'Presidential Office' until the move to the Blue House is complete. Lee's office said it will implement the change only where absolutely necessary to avoid unnecessary spending, starting with the presidential office's new website and new business cards for government officials.
