Advertisement

Why cans of Spam are a popular gift for Chuseok, the ‘Korean Thanksgiving’

‘It’s affordable and everyone likes it. All South Koreans like Spam’

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
Spam gift boxes are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul. Photo: AFP

From the front lines of war to a staple of institutional catering, Spam is rarely seen as a gourmet ingredient – but the canned pink meat holds a unique position in South Korea as a top-selling holiday gift.

Ahead of the Chuseok harvest festival which starts Sunday – also known as “Korean Thanksgiving”and an occasion for mass family gatherings – presentation wooden boxes of the blue-and-yellow tins, nestled in packing straw, line the shelves of both major retailers and local convenience stores.

An upmarket black-label pack with six cans of Spam and two bottles of Andalusian olive oil costs over 90,000 won (US$80), but the most popular version is a nine-tin set at 30,000 won.

Office worker Lee Yoon-ho bought five to give acquaintances, calling it “the most universal” present.

“It’s affordable and everyone likes it,” he said.

“All South Koreans like Spam.”

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2-3x faster
1.1x
220 WPM
Slow
Normal
Fast
1.1x