Convenient and nutritious meals have now become a trend for busy modern people. Due to such a consumption trend, the instant food market, exemplified by simple meals, is rapidly growing. There are various types of instant foods, and recently, not only nutritious foods but also products that have the taste of food at famous restaurants are being released one after another. Instant foods have occupied the dining tables in many homes around the world.  

#There is No End to the Popularity of Instant Food
Instant foods were once classified as a representative food for single or two-person households. Instant foods were perfect for single or two-person households since they require very little preparation and can replace dining out. However, instant foods are now gaining popularity regardless of generation or gender. 
In fact, according to Supermarket News in the United States, as of September 2021, Americans spent 2% more on groceries and consumer goods compared to the previous year. Notably, as of September 2021, United States consumer spending on the frozen breakfast food category increased by 5% compared to September 2020, and by 20% compared to September 2019. This trend is a worldwide phenomenon not merely in the United States, but also in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe. In particular, considering that the spread of the COVID-19 mutant virus is currently ongoing, instant foods will stay popular for the time being. 

#Instant Foods Evolve into Cooking
In the past, instant foods were limited to a single menu, which typically included pizza, meatballs, and pasta. However, consumers wanted new menus which contained all nutrients and had quality on a par with foods in restaurants. Such consumer demands led to changes in instant foods. Instant food manufacturers made attempts at differentiation by creating menus that consumers wanted, armed with food safety as the basis.
For example, Korean instant food manufacturers launched innumerable kinds of products including Korean food, Western food, and snacks, from Western dishes as steak to Koreans’ favorite Tteokbokki. Also, the diversity of instant foods covers all generations from baby food for infants and toddlers to food for elderly recently. It is difficult to find products or generations that the instant food market has not entered. Some even say they happily agonize over which instant food menus to choose. Instant foods are no longer a mere convenience food, but has now evolved into cooking, and even into indispensable food.

#Korean Instant Foods, Spreading throughout the World
Tteokbokki, Mandu (dumpling), and frozen rice are representative agricultural products in Korea. Anyhow, Tteokbokki and Mandu, which used to be Korean national snacks, have now become snacks for people around the world; and, frozen rice products, which used to be purchased for camping and other outdoor activities, occupy a place in the kitchen throughout the world.
The growth of Korean instant foods is indeed explosive even in Korea alone. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute, home convenience food sales reached about USD 357.7 million in 2019. It cannot be denied that the instant food market has grown much bigger due to the COVID-19 incident. The popularity of Korean instant foods is truly immense not only in Korea but overseas as well. Not to mention Tteokbokki, Mandu, and frozen rice, and recently Korean meal kit products too have become popular overseas. This popularity owes to the fact that, along with the influence of Hallyu (Korean Wave), the recognition for Korean food and Korean agricultural products has risen overseas. Particularly, instant foods vicariously satisfy consumers, who are fascinated by Korean food, as regards their desire to make a new Korean dish. 
An official from a Korean instant food exporter said, “Demand for K-FOOD is increasing in relation to the Hallyu. This phenomenon indicates that instant foods are an optimized product for creating the authentic Korean taste in a simple and convenient way.”