Ep 02. That Doesn’t Seem Possible...The Mushroom Brown Rice Chips
🍚 One of the Most Popular Foods Among Cancer Patients: Nurungji (Korean Crispy Rice)
For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, eating can be a significant challenge.
Among the foods they often seek, Korean nurungji (crispy rice) stands out.
Why?
Because it’s comforting, easy to digest, and has a deliciously nutty flavor.
So, we thought:
"What if we created a high-protein nurungji that cancer patients could enjoy without worry?"
And with that idea, our journey to develop a nutritious and delicious crispy rice snack began.
But the road ahead was far more difficult than we imagined.
🐛 From Protein-Packed Dreams to Reality Check – The Insect Protein Dilemma
To make nurungji a more nutritious option, we needed to increase its protein content.
Our initial idea? Adding mealworms (Gosoae), a well-known edible insect.
Mealworms are rich in protein, packed with essential amino acids, and considered a sustainable protein source for the future.
"This is it!"
We thought a high-protein crispy rice snack with mealworms would be the perfect solution.
But reality hit us hard.
🚧 Mealworm farms couldn’t guarantee a stable supply → "Mass production isn’t feasible."
🚧 Crispy rice manufacturers refused to use insects → "Consumers might reject it due to the idea of eating bugs."
🚧 Additional concerns → "Mealworms could cause allergic reactions, making it risky for production."
In the end, using mealworms was not an option.
We had to find another way.
🌾 "Could Rice Be a Good Protein Source?" – A New Perspective on Brown Rice
We went back to square one.
"What natural ingredients in Korea are high in protein?"
Then, a simple question popped into our minds:
"Does rice have protein?"
Rice is often associated with carbohydrates,
but brown rice actually contains a decent amount of protein.
However, the problem was white rice (which has almost no nutrients) since it’s polished 12 times,
removing all the fiber, protein, and essential vitamins.
On the other hand, 100% brown rice is hard to digest,
making it unsuitable for cancer patients with sensitive stomachs.
So, we found a middle ground: 5-minute milled brown rice (O-bundo rice).
✅ What is O-bundo rice?
It’s partially milled brown rice that keeps its nutrients while being much easier to digest.
"This is it."
By using O-bundo rice, we could retain rice’s natural protein while ensuring it was easy to eat.
🍄 Adding Mushrooms & Black Beans – The Perfect Formula
But was brown rice alone enough?
We thought:
"Can we make it even healthier?"
This led us to mushrooms and black beans (Seoritae).
🍄 Mushrooms → Rich in beta-glucan, known for immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties
🌱 Black Beans (Seoritae) → High in plant-based protein, adds a naturally nutty taste
By combining brown rice, mushrooms, and black beans,
we could create a nutrient-dense, protein-rich snack that cancer patients could comfortably enjoy.
But then, another challenge appeared—how do we actually turn this into a snack?
🏭 Searching for a Factory – A String of Rejections
With the ingredients finalized, we needed a manufacturer to bring our idea to life.
But once again, rejection after rejection.
🚫 “Mushrooms contain too much moisture. It’s hard to make them crispy.”
🚫 “Black bean powder will burn at high temperatures.”
🚫 “There’s no existing process for making a product like this.”
Every factory we approached told us, "This is impossible."
But we weren’t ready to give up.
After an exhaustive search, we finally found a factory willing to experiment with us.
Over the next four months, we worked side by side, testing and refining the process.
🔥 The Most Challenging Production Process Yet
Creating a crispy rice snack with mushrooms and black beans was an entirely new concept,
so the manufacturing process was extremely complex.
✔️ The brown rice had to be carefully milled
✔️ The rice needed to be soaked to maintain moisture balance
✔️ Mushrooms and black beans had to be mixed in the right ratio
✔️ The mixture had to be cooked into rice before shaping
✔️ It had to be baked at the perfect temperature without burning
✔️ The final product needed to be dried to achieve the right texture
This wasn’t something machines could easily do.
Most of the process required human hands.
Countless failures, endless adjustments.
But we refused to give up.
And after four months of relentless effort,
we finally created Mushroom Brown Rice Chips. 🎉
🎉 Mushroom Brown Rice Chips – Finally, a Reality!
From mealworms to brown rice, mushrooms, and black beans—
the journey to creating this product was filled with obstacles and perseverance.
✔️ Packed with protein, beta-glucan, and antioxidants
✔️ A snack that cancer patients, seniors, and diabetics can enjoy
✔️ 100% made with natural Korean ingredients
This wasn’t just another snack.
It was a game-changer for nutritious, functional snacks.
🌱 And We Made a Decision.
After everything we went through,
we decided to give this snack away for free to cancer patients.
"Healthy, nutritious, and easy to eat."
Our goal was never just about selling a product—it was about making a real difference.
In the next episode,
we’ll share the story of how we launched our donation campaign in Korea and the touching stories we received.
👉 Stay tuned for our next journey of giving back! 😊