Mercadona has launched a Korean-style chicken product in Spain this February, expanding its chilled ready-meal range as competition intensifies in the country’s supermarket sector. The 380-gram product, priced at approximately €3.42, is positioned as a quick-cook convenience option aimed at shoppers seeking international flavours at entry-level price points.

The move reflects Mercadona’s continued focus on trend-led assortment development and differentiation within Spain’s fast-growing prepared food category.

What Is Mercadona’s Korean-style Chicken Product?

Mercadona’s new product is a chilled Korean-style chicken with a sweet and mildly spicy sauce. It is designed for preparation in a pan, oven, or air fryer and targets consumers looking for convenient meal solutions inspired by Asian cuisine.

The product forms part of the retailer’s February range update across selected Spanish stores.

At a Glance

  • Retailer: Mercadona (Spain)

  • Product: Korean-style chicken with sauce

  • Pack size: 380 grams

  • Price: Approximately €3.42

  • Category: Chilled ready meals / international cuisine

  • Launch period: February 2026

  • Strategic aim: Expand Asian-inspired convenience offering

Why Is Mercadona Expanding Into Korean Cuisine?

Asian cuisine, particularly Korean flavours, has gained popularity across European retail over the past several years. Social media exposure, younger consumer demographics, and demand for bold flavour profiles have supported category growth.

By adding Korean-style chicken, Mercadona strengthens its presence in international chilled meals while maintaining value positioning below €3.50.

How Does This Compare With Competitors?

Major retailers such as Carrefour offer Asian-inspired products including gyozas and dim sum within Spanish stores. Meanwhile, ALDI maintains a more limited permanent Asian assortment, often focusing on temporary themed promotions.

Mercadona’s launch suggests a structural integration of Asian cuisine into its standard chilled line rather than a short-term campaign.

What Does This Mean For Spain’s Ready-Meal Market?

Spain’s ready-meal segment continues to expand as consumers seek affordable convenience amid cost-of-living pressures. Entry-price international dishes allow retailers to combine trend appeal with value messaging.

Mercadona’s scale gives it the ability to test and roll out international SKUs nationally if demand proves consistent.

What Is The Broader Industry Context?

European supermarkets are increasingly using private-label innovation to differentiate in competitive markets. International cuisine has become a key lever for category growth, particularly within chilled and ready-to-cook formats.

Retailers are also monitoring social food trends more closely, accelerating product development cycles to capture emerging consumer interest.

What Happens Next?

If sales performance meets expectations, Mercadona could expand its Asian-inspired assortment further within its national network. Success may also prompt competitive responses from other Spanish retailers seeking to strengthen their own international convenience ranges.

The launch signals continued innovation in Spain’s supermarket ready-meal sector as retailers compete on flavour diversity, convenience, and value.

The move reflects Mercadona’s continued focus on trend-led assortment development and differentiation within Spain’s fast-growing prepared food category.

What Is Mercadona’s Korean-style Chicken Product?

Mercadona’s new product is a chilled Korean-style chicken with a sweet and mildly spicy sauce. It is designed for preparation in a pan, oven, or air fryer and targets consumers looking for convenient meal solutions inspired by Asian cuisine.

The product forms part of the retailer’s February range update across selected Spanish stores.

At a Glance

  • Retailer: Mercadona (Spain)

  • Product: Korean-style chicken with sauce

  • Pack size: 380 grams

  • Price: Approximately €3.42

  • Category: Chilled ready meals / international cuisine

  • Launch period: February 2026

  • Strategic aim: Expand Asian-inspired convenience offering

Why Is Mercadona Expanding Into Korean Cuisine?

Asian cuisine, particularly Korean flavours, has gained popularity across European retail over the past several years. Social media exposure, younger consumer demographics, and demand for bold flavour profiles have supported category growth.

By adding Korean-style chicken, Mercadona strengthens its presence in international chilled meals while maintaining value positioning below €3.50.

How Does This Compare With Competitors?

Major retailers such as Carrefour offer Asian-inspired products including gyozas and dim sum within Spanish stores. Meanwhile, ALDI maintains a more limited permanent Asian assortment, often focusing on temporary themed promotions.

Mercadona’s launch suggests a structural integration of Asian cuisine into its standard chilled line rather than a short-term campaign.

What Does This Mean For Spain’s Ready-Meal Market?

Spain’s ready-meal segment continues to expand as consumers seek affordable convenience amid cost-of-living pressures. Entry-price international dishes allow retailers to combine trend appeal with value messaging.

Mercadona’s scale gives it the ability to test and roll out international SKUs nationally if demand proves consistent.

What Is The Broader Industry Context?

European supermarkets are increasingly using private-label innovation to differentiate in competitive markets. International cuisine has become a key lever for category growth, particularly within chilled and ready-to-cook formats.

Retailers are also monitoring social food trends more closely, accelerating product development cycles to capture emerging consumer interest.

What Happens Next?

If sales performance meets expectations, Mercadona could expand its Asian-inspired assortment further within its national network. Success may also prompt competitive responses from other Spanish retailers seeking to strengthen their own international convenience ranges.

The launch signals continued innovation in Spain’s supermarket ready-meal sector as retailers compete on flavour diversity, convenience, and value.

Editor’s Note: Based on Mercadona’s February 2026 product update in Spain. Pricing and availability may vary by store.