The trend of dining out with pets in South Korea is on the rise, prompting an expansion in the types of pet food available. As restaurants and shopping malls increasingly accommodate pets, there is a growing demand for small, single-serve pet foods suitable for on-the-go feeding. As part of this trend, restaurants are introducing pet-only menus as "pet dining" becomes more popular.
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According to the pet food industry, changes to the Enforcement Regulation of the Food Sanitation Act in March now allow pets in general restaurants, rest-area restaurants, and bakeries that comply with specific hygiene and facility standards. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reports a significant increase in pet-friendly restaurants, growing from 287 in March to 2,776 as of this month.
Shopping venues are also evolving to create environments for pets, with Starfield implementing new guide stickers that inform visitors whether pets are permitted and what facilities, such as pet strollers, are available. Furthermore, the venue offers pet stroller lending, designated elevators, and indoor rest areas, allowing patrons to spend extended time with their pets.
In the restaurant sector, some establishments are exploring the potential profits of accommodating pets. The restaurant chain Mad for Garlic has opened a location called "With Pet," featuring three exclusive menu items for pets: Salmon Cream Pet Star, Doggy Ragu Meatballs, and "Mungi Bogam! Red Ginseng Chicken Soup." Similarly, Starfield Anseong noted that pet tables made up 15% of its overall sales in the past month.
As pet owners increasingly dine out with their animals, products emphasizing portability and convenience are entering the market. Pulmuone Amio markets its "Nature-filled Snack" in 50g zip bags that are easy to carry and designed for one-bite feeding, while also serving as training rewards. Daesang Pet Life has expanded its small-volume offerings, introducing new products including urinary snacks. Dongwon F&B is enhancing its pet food range and selling "Nutriplan Pet Milk" in convenient single-serving sizes.
Retailers, including Coupang and E-MART, are responding to consumer demand by requesting smaller packaging options, such as 1 kilogram or less, in addition to larger bags of pet food. One industry official noted that retail partners are increasingly seeking 500g and 1-kilogram products, which indicates a desire for smaller serving sizes among consumers.
Pet owners are adapting by maintaining separate supplies for outings. A pet owner named Byun stated that the variety of pet-friendly venues makes weekend outings longer and easier, leading to a need for smaller packaged pet foods for convenience during trips.
The pet food industry is exploring new channels for reaching consumers through dining and shopping venues. Although it's challenging to directly link the rise in pet-friendly spaces to immediate sales increases in pet food, the demand for smaller, portable products continues to grow, and industry experts anticipate ongoing expansion of this product category.