Jongga Expands U.S. Production and Distribution

Daesang is expanding the U.S. footprint of its Jongga kimchi brand through local production, broader distribution, and products designed for American consumers. Jongga is now sold in more than 90 countries, and the United States has been its largest export market since 2023. Daesang’s California facility has capacity to produce 2,000 metric tons of kimchi annually, while Jongga accounted for about $48 million of Korea’s approximately $86 million in kimchi exports during the first half of 2026. The company has also added U.S. manufacturing capacity through its acquisition of Lucky Foods.

California Production Base

Daesang opened its kimchi plant in the City of Industry, California, near Los Angeles, in early 2022. The approximately 10,000-square-meter facility was the first large-scale kimchi plant completed in the United States by a Korean food company, according to the company.

The plant produces Jongga Original Kimchi, Vegan Kimchi, White Kimchi, Silbi Kimchi, an extra-spicy variety, and Cucumber Kimchi. Daesang sources ingredients including napa cabbage, radishes, and green onions in the United States, supporting its local supply chain and efforts to maintain consistent taste and quality.

In 2023, Daesang acquired Lucky Foods, a U.S. food manufacturer that sells Seoul Kimchi. The acquisition expanded the company’s local production capacity and added to the distribution networks supporting Jongga’s presence in mainstream retail channels across the western and central United States.

Broader Product Range

Jongga has widened its U.S. lineup beyond traditional napa cabbage kimchi with varieties made with green cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. Its offerings also include white kimchi, ABC Kimchi made with apples, beets, and carrots, kimchi spread for bread or crackers, and Crunchy Bites.

The brand’s export business has grown alongside its U.S. expansion. Jongga’s kimchi exports rose from approximately $32 million in 2017 to $90 million in 2025, nearly tripling over the period.

Culinary And Consumer Outreach

In 2024, Jongga partnered with three-Michelin-star chef Corey Lee on two San Ho Won Kimchi products for the U.S. market as part of the Jongga Gourmet Edition line. The Original Kimchi and White Kimchi varieties combine Jongga’s production experience with Chef Lee’s recipes.

Jongga also ran a food truck campaign in Los Angeles and New York in 2024, serving K-food dishes featuring its kimchi to approximately 6,000 consumers. In 2025, the brand participated in the HEAD IN THE CLOUDS LA 2025 music festival, presenting dishes made with Jongga kimchi.

Focus On U.S. Growth

With domestic production, expanded distribution, and a varied product range in place, Daesang is positioning Jongga for continued participation in the U.S. food market.

Oh Yeon-taek, CEO of Kimchi CIC at Daesang, said:

“The United States has emerged as Jongga's largest export market and is a key market for our global kimchi business. Building on our local production and distribution infrastructure and longstanding expertise in kimchi production, we will continue to broaden our product portfolio and consumer reach, making kimchi a more familiar and versatile part of everyday life in the United States.”