New Yangban bibimbap range by Dongwan F&B / Courtesy of Dongwon F&B

Dongwon F&B has launched a series of new ready meal bibimbap flavors inspired by the country's signature rice dish and the growing popularity of pre-cooked meals, according to Korea's leading canned tuna producer and major food company, Thursday.

Under its premium food brand called Yangban, the new products comprise three kinds of steamed rice with toppings: bulgogi (grilled marinated beef), tuna and kimchi, and jjajang (black bean sauce).

They come in pouches and plastic bowls and can be microwaved; two-and-a-half minutes is all that is needed to prepare Korea's famous dish.

The new bibimbap range was made to target international markets for Korean food, which is becoming increasingly easier to buy — thanks to their home meal replacement (HMR) packaging that contains foods with simple yet delicious recipes that can be ready in just a few minutes in the microwave or oven.

The company said it will promote and export the new bibimbap products with the brand's recently updated logo that uses both Korean and English on its packaging.

"Yangban's bibimbap range are Dongwon's new K-food ready meals that have maximized quality and convenience," a company official said. "We'll lead the global HMR market with innovative products that cater to lifestyle trends among consumers worldwide."

Even before HMR became one of the keywords trending in the country's food scene, Dongwon researched and introduced products that focused on being easy to cook and possessed unique tastes. Yangban, launched in 1986, as was one of the country's earliest HMR brands making porridge varieties, stews and various side dishes.

The company kept introducing new products that increasingly covered an extensive variety of Korean food, including traditional beverages and food items that are still made based on centuries-old recipes like deep-fried seaweed, sujeonggwa (cold cinnamon punch) and sikhye (a cold sweet rice beverage).