Press Release

- First kimchi-based sauce to receive the award, earning particularly high marks for texture

- Low-Calorie Korean Fried Chicken Sauce also receives One-Star award, recognized for both health-conscious formulation and taste

Dongwon Home Food (CEO Jung Moon-mok) announced that VIVID KITCHEN Kimchi Salsa has received a Two-Star Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute in 2026.

VIVID KITCHEN Kimchi Salsa received strong evaluations across all five criteria—first impression, appearance, aroma, taste, and texture. It earned particularly high marks for texture thanks to visible pieces of finely chopped kimchi and tomato. The product is the first kimchi-based sauce to receive a Superior Taste Award.

A Korean fusion sauce that combines the distinctive flavor of kimchi with salsa, VIVID KITCHEN Kimchi Salsa has gained popularity among global consumers interested in K-food. It can be enjoyed as a dipping sauce for nachos and tacos or used as a cooking sauce for a wide range of dishes, including pasta and lasagna.

VIVID KITCHEN Kimchi Salsa recently entered Sam’s Club, a major U.S. retail channel, and began sales at two locations in Hawaii, with plans to expand distribution across the U.S.

VIVID KITCHEN’s Low-Calorie Korean Fried Chicken Sauce also received a One-Star Superior Taste Award, becoming the first Korean-style chicken sauce to receive the recognition. The award is particularly meaningful as the low-calorie product was recognized purely for its taste in a blind evaluation. Developed based on Dongwon Home Food’s extensive expertise in B2B chicken sauces, the product delivers the distinctive taste of Korean seasoned fried chicken while remaining low in calories. It has also ranked among the best-selling sauces in its category on Amazon U.S.

Launched by Dongwon Home Food in 2020, VIVID KITCHEN specializes in low-sugar and low-calorie products and has built a growing consumer base both in Korea and overseas. Since 2024, the brand has exported a range of Korean-style sauces—including Kimchi Salsa, Kimchi Chipotle Mayo, Gochujang, and Bulgogi Sauce—to markets such as the U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

“Products developed through Dongwon Home Food’s more than 30 years of accumulated R&D expertise are now being recognized by leading global taste evaluations,” said an official from Dongwon Home Food. “As a leading K-sauce brand, VIVID KITCHEN will continue strengthening its global presence through innovative new products and proactive marketing activities.”

Founded in 2005, the International Taste Institute (ITI) is a global organization specializing in the sensory evaluation of food and beverage products. To date, it has evaluated more than 16,000 products from approximately 130 countries. Each year, more than 200 internationally recognized taste experts, including professional sommeliers and chefs recognized by the Michelin Guide, conduct blind evaluations. Products achieving high scores are awarded One, Two, or Three Stars under the Superior Taste Award program.