WHAT CAME FIRST: PEPERO OR POCKY?

Any Korean worth her kimchi knows that Pepero is a snack that can’t be beat. Coincidentally, Japanese feel exactly the same about Pocky. For the uninitiated, these little calorie laden snacks are cookie sticks that are covered with a thin layer of chocolate and perhaps rolled in nuts... they are crunchy and delicious. Oh, and I forgot to mention that if you eat them standing up, there’s no calorie gain! Pepero are manufactured by the Lotte Confectionary Corporation, Pocky by the Ezaki Glico Company. There have been several lawsuits back and forth about the timeline of introduction to the market and the authenticity of one product over the other. This is inevitable considering how closely this munchable snacks resemble each other.

I wouldn’t have known about Pepero if Judy and I hadn’t gone to that infamous fan meeting in LA last November. We spent the bulk of one day in KoreaTown, eating Korean breakfast and shopping at Korean grocery stores. These stores had stack and stacks of Pepero packages and all looked irresistible. I chose wisely, however, and only came away with three small boxes for my grandchildren. (Note to self: be sure to buy some more so the grandkids get to try them, too.) Judy reminded me that November 11 is Pepero Day in Korea when you give them to people you care about, so she bought herself a box.**

So what did come first, Pepero or Pocky? Here’s my answer. It’s doesn’t really matter. Just eat them! ~ Pat

**Actually, I heard about the Nov 11 day from Kenjikendesu who I follow on Instagram... so I purchased a box online to gift to Jung Hae-in at said Fan Meeting. But alas, they didn't permit gifts so I simply ate them myself.

Can you believe all the minutae & info you're learning about Korea from following the Gmamas?! ~ Judy