Popular Gwangju pumpkin rice cakes sold at Songjeong Station

Gwangju's renowned Chang-eok Tteok's pumpkin rice cakes, which have gained significant popularity among younger generations through social media, are now being sold at Gwangju Songjeong Station. A special pop-up store will operate throughout June, offering a taste of the local delicacy to travelers.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between Gwangju City, Chang-eok Tteok, Korea Railroad (Korail), Korail Retail, and the Gwangju Tourism Organization's Tourism Enterprise Support Center. The temporary store is located in the main waiting hall of Gwangju Songjeong Station and will be open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM.

Chang-eok Tteok, established in 1965, is considered a representative tteok (rice cake) establishment in Gwangju. While it has existing stores in the city's Jungheung-dong, Dongmyeong-dong, and Daejeon, a recent viral recommendation by a YouTuber in April has led to a surge in demand from across the country.

Beyond the popular pumpkin rice cakes, the pop-up store also features other popular items such as cocoa steamed rice cakes, rainbow steamed rice cakes, black sesame rice cakes, assorted sticky rice cakes, and red bean and chestnut sticky rice cakes. To enhance the customer experience, a photo zone has been set up, and customers who spend over 50,000 won and post on social media with proof can receive a coffee coupon.

"We plan to analyze sales and operational performance after this pop-up store to consider permanent placement at Gwangju Songjeong Station or opening similar temporary stores at other locations like the Gwangju Integrated Bus Terminal," said an official from the Gwangju City Tourism Division.