Hello everyone!😊 I’m Vivi, your local friend sharing my daily life in Korea. The weather in Korea has been quite unpredictable lately, and times like these make me crave sweet snacks and a relaxing, warm cup of coffee even more. What kind of snacks do you usually look for when you’re stressed or need a mood booster? Korea has so many diverse and delicious snacks that when foreign friends visit, going on a snack shopping spree at supermarkets or convenience stores is a must-do course.
Today, out of all those countless Korean snacks, I want to introduce you to two true ‘classic’ chocolate treats that I’ve loved since I was a child, and which continue to receive immense love from Koreans today. They are ‘Choco Heim’ and ‘White Heim’! If you are planning a trip to Korea or have an Asian mart nearby, please keep an eye out for today’s post.
The Sweet History of Crown Confectionery & Its Premium Legacy
To truly appreciate Choco Heim and White Heim, we have to look at the legendary company behind them: Crown Confectionery. Established in 1947, Crown is a living history of the Korean snack industry, boasting nearly 80 years of sweet heritage. Founded shortly after a turbulent wartime era in Korea, the company grew under the deeply rooted philosophy that “Food is the very foundation of life.” With this honest approach, Crown became a household name by creating high-quality, comforting treats for generations.
What many foreign friends might not know is that when this snack line first hit the shelves, it was the ultimate symbol of a ‘premium, luxury snack’ in Korea. Back in the 90s, it was significantly more expensive than standard snacks. Because of its elegant individual packaging and sophisticated European-style box design, people treated it as a high-end dessert reserved for welcoming important guests or celebrating special occasions. For many Koreans, it was the dream snack of their childhood.
Furthermore, Crown completely revolutionized Korean snack marketing with this product. Traditionally, chocolate snack sales drop drastically during hot summer months because the chocolate melts. However, Crown turned this weakness into a massive strength with one legendary catchphrase: “Freeze it before you eat it!” They convinced consumers that popping these wafers into the freezer transforms them into a premium chocolate ice cream experience. This creative twist became a massive cultural phenomenon.
In 1993, building on this explosive success, Crown introduced “White Heim,” featuring smooth white chocolate and rich hazelnut cream. Together, Choco Heim and White Heim cemented their status as Korea’s absolute flagship premium wafers.
The Epitome of Korean Snacks: The Heim Series
First off, the name ‘Heim’ might sound a bit unique to you. As mentioned, Heim means ‘house’ in German, and it implies that the crispy cookie house is filled with sweet chocolate. Isn’t the name itself so cute and romantic? This snack has been loved in Korea for a very long time. In the Korean snack market, where new products pour out almost every day, the fact that it has held its ground firmly for so long means the taste is absolutely guaranteed.
While it used to be a luxury treat in the past, today, the price is very affordable at 1,300 KRW each, making it a small happiness you can enjoy without any burden. You can easily find them at any convenience store, neighborhood supermarket, or large discount store.
The cleverest part of this snack is its packaging. Inside the box, you’ll find individually wrapped pouches. When you open one, two long, slender sticks sit side-by-side. It’s perfect for sharing one stick each with a friend or a loved one, and it’s also very convenient and hygienic to store.
The Grace of the Original: Soft and Nutty ‘Choco Heim’
My absolute favorite snack, especially since I was young, is this ‘Choco Heim’. It boasts a deep history and flavor to the point where it can be called a classic in the Korean chocolate snack world. The outside is made of a very light, crispy wafer texture. When you take a bite, the cheerful crispiness pleasantly greets you first.
The true charm of this snack lies in the chocolate filling hidden inside that crispy edge! When we think of chocolate filling, it’s easy to imagine a heavy, bitter, or piercingly sweet dark chocolate. However, Choco Heim’s filling is a bit different. Rather than a strong, intense chocolate flavor, it has a soft, rich chocolate taste subtly mixed with the nuttiness of nuts like macadamia. The softness of milk chocolate combined with the unique nutty flavor of hazelnuts or macadamias creates a luxurious taste that isn’t overly sweet. Whether paired with warm coffee or a glass of savory milk, the way it melts in your mouth is truly fantastic.
📊 Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Total Capacity (총 내용량) | 47 g | – |
| Calories (칼로리) | 250 kcal | – |
| Sodium (나트륨) | 110 mg | 6% |
| Carbohydrates (탄수화물) | 27 g | 8% |
| Sugar (당류) | 18 g | 18% |
| Fat (지방) | 14 g | 26% |
| Trans fat (트랜스지방) | 0 g | – |
| Saturated fat (포화지방) | 8 g | 53% |
| Cholesterol (콜레스테롤) | 5 mg | 2% |
| Protein (단백질) | 4 g | 7% |
📝 Raw Material Name & Details
| Category | Details |
| Product Name | Choco Heim |
| Food Type | Snacks |
| Raw Material Name | Flour (Wheat: USA), processed oil and fat (Malaysia), sugar, blended milk powder (Netherlands: skim milk powder, whey), whey, dairy powder paste (milk cream, lactose, processed oil and fat, sodium caseinate, dibasic potassium phosphate), lactose, hazelnut paste, semi-chocolate, oligosaccharide, soy flour, cocoa powder, shortening (hardened oil), cocoa mass, corn oil, 3 types of emulsifiers, dextrin, refined salt, 2 types of acidity regulators, guar gum, enzyme agent, flavoring. |
| Allergy Info | Contains wheat, soybean, and milk. |
The Peak of Sweetness and Softness: ‘White Heim’
Another star that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the original Choco Heim, commanding its own massive fan base, is ‘White Heim’. As you can guess from the name, it’s a version where the crispy wafer is generously filled with white chocolate. The deep milky flavor and soft vanilla scent unique to white chocolate are incredibly appealing.
Personally, when I alternate eating both, White Heim feels much heavier and sweeter in my mouth. Wondering if it was just my mood, I took a peek at the nutritional facts, and indeed, White Heim contains about 2g more sugar than Choco Heim! I highly recommend White Heim when your head is throbbing from too much stress or when you need a shockingly sweet comfort. If you pair it with a bitter iced Americano or astringent black tea, you’ll be able to enjoy the perfect afternoon teatime. Both Choco Heim and White Heim have their own distinct charms and are incredibly delicious, so you can choose based on your preference or your mood that day.
📊 Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Total Capacity (총 내용량) | 47 g | – |
| Calories (칼로리) | 255 kcal | – |
| Sodium (나트륨) | 55 mg | 3% |
| Carbohydrates (탄수화물) | 27 g | 8% |
| Sugar (당류) | 20 g | 20% |
| Fat (지방) | 15 g | 28% |
| Trans fat (트랜스지방) | 0 g | – |
| Saturated fat (포화지방) | 8 g | 53% |
| Cholesterol (콜레스테롤) | 5 mg | 2% |
| Protein (단백질) | 3 g | 5% |
📝 Raw Material Name & Details
| Category | Details |
| Product Name | White Heim |
| Food Type | Snacks |
| Raw Material Name | Flour (Wheat: USA), processed oil and fat (Malaysia), sugar, blended milk powder (Netherlands: skim milk powder, whey), whey, dairy powder paste (milk cream, lactose, processed oil and fat, sodium caseinate, dibasic potassium phosphate), lactose, hazelnut paste, other processed food, oligosaccharide, soy flour, shortening (hardened oil), corn oil, 3 types of emulsifiers, dextrin, refined salt, 2 types of acidity regulators, guar gum, 2 types of flavorings, enzyme agent. |
| Allergy Info | Contains wheat, soybean, and milk. |
Local Blogger’s Secret Tip! “Freeze It”
Now, I’m going to share an exclusive secret tip just for my readers, a method that Koreans absolutely love when eating the Heim series! It’s the trick of popping the cookies in the freezer and ‘freezing’ them solid.
When eaten at room temperature, the wafer is crispy, and the chocolate filling melts softly like cream. But if you leave them in the freezer for a few hours and eat them chilled and hardened, the texture completely changes. The outer wafer maintains its crispiness, but the chocolate filling inside becomes firm and chewy, giving you the illusion of eating an ice cream sandwich dessert filled with chocolate ice cream.
Korea’s summers are especially famous for being humid and sweltering. Coming home dripping in sweat and taking out ice-cold Choco Heim and White Heim from the freezer feels exactly like heaven. On hot summer days, it perfectly transforms into a wonderful and special cold snack that can replace ice cream. So, if you manage to get your hands on these snacks, I hope you try half at room temperature to enjoy the original taste, and freeze the other half to directly compare and experience a completely different texture and charm!
Being able to introduce Korea’s delicious and warm snack culture to you has made my mouth water and brought me so much joy while writing. Which one tempts you more today: the nutty flavor of the original Choco Heim, or the extreme softness and sweetness of White Heim? Next time you come to Korea, I hope you visit a convenience store or mart and definitely enjoy this small but certain sweet happiness for 1,300 KRW. Have a wonderful day!
