South Korea And Japan Argue Over National Celebration ‘Ownership’ Of Respective Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Snacks Pepero And Pocky
In the war over chocolate-covered pretzel snacks, South Korea and Japan each have their own products - Pepero and Pocky respectively - but the competition gets even deeper as both nations simultaneously celebrate "Pepero Day" and "Pocky Day" on Nov.11.
According to The Washington Post on Wednesday, South Korea and Japan decided on Nov. 11 as the day for celebrating their pretzel snacks given that the numbers representing the date show four long lines, much like their pretzel sticks.
Pepero and Pocky are now boosting their marketing strategies in promoting their products, where the South Korean Pepero has become popular in Japan due to the rising "Korean wave" in the country, while Japanese products, including Pocky, are considered more high-end in South Korea than local ones.
Japanese confectionery company Ezaki Glico first came up with the treat in 1966, which promotes the idea of a snack with a handle as the chocolate that covers the stick does not go all the way to the bottom.
Guinness World Record has also reportedly awarded Pocky in 2012 as the "Most-Tweeted Brand Name In A 24-Hour Period." A festival in Osaka and a Pocky-themed dance contest is also celebrated in Japan in honor of their pretzel stick.
South Korean food company Lotte Confectionery on the other hand, first created their Pepero in 1983, denying it was an imitation of Japan's Pocky.
In South Korea, "Pepero Day" was initially celebrated by sharing the snack with other people in hopes of becoming taller and thinner, noted Korea Times on Tuesday.
In the U.S., the South Korean pretzel is also celebrated on Nov. 11, at the same time as their Veteran's Day celebration.
Los Angeles-based Korean markets were seen preparing Pepero tables in their shops, selling the treats with special offers, including $25 giant sets, reported Korea Times on Sunday.
Despite the countries' battle over the chocolate-covered pretzel snack, each one has their own way of celebrating their "Pretzel Day" and both can agree that their snacks are delicious.
