[Campus] More Meal and Pop-up Deli Options: KHU Cooperatives Brings Hope with New Services
The Kyung Hee University (KHU) Cooperatives will introduce several new services in the Global Campus Student Center cafeterias. These updates range from new meal options to pop-up delis, which are expected to enhance the diversity of food choices. As these changes come just six months after the Cooperatives took over operations, they demonstrate the commitment to enhancing the KHU community's satisfaction.
New meal time in the 2025 fall semester in the Global Campus Student Center cafeterias
Global Campus to Have Its Own Menus
The menu is a notable element of this update. Initially, when the KHU Cooperatives began managing the Global Campus Student Center cafeterias, it simply used the Seoul Campus menu. As a gradual transition toward menu independence, the student cafeteria has offered a fully independent menu since June 23, while the staff cafeteria provides 50% of its menu independently. The KHU Cooperatives has announced it will implement fully independent menus for its Student Center cafeterias beginning this September.
The update serves both practical and symbolic purposes. The KHU Cooperatives explained, "The food trays in Seoul and Global Campus are different. Seoul Campus uses simple flat trays, enabling the use of diverse food containers like earthen pots, bowls, or dishes. However, Global Campus uses fixed-shape trays, limiting the use of other containers." They added that then simply having Global Campus follow Seoul Campus's menu would likely cause inconvenience or inefficiency.
Regarding the symbolic purpose, the KHU Cooperatives remarked that the cafeteria needs to establish its own identity. Rather than simply following Seoul Campus meals, creating unique menus would better represent Global Campus's distinct character.
Expanding Choices: More Meal Options Introduced
Additional meal options will soon be available. A new food corner named Like Ooh-ahh—meaning "be graceful" in English—will begin serving meals this September. This corner will primarily offer Western meals and snacks, which had previously been unavailable due to staffing shortages. The KHU Cooperatives stated that the meals will follow the same standard as other menu items, using 50% of the budget for ingredient costs, with prices expected to range between 5,500 and 6,000 won.
The staff cafeteria also introduces a new element. The KHU Cooperatives announced that dinner will be available at the staff cafeteria starting September 1. The operating hours will match the student cafeteria: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Regarding the price, this will remain the same as lunch—7,500 won for general customers and 7,000 won for Cooperatives members.
However, the dinner option for the staff cafeteria is not permanently established. Due to concerns about potential deficits from insufficient demand, the KHU Cooperatives will determine whether to continue dinner service based on user numbers. In the future Student Center Cafeteria Management Committee (SCCMC) meetings, the Cooperatives will present monthly usage data and profit reports to discuss future operations with the committee members, in accordance with the Global Campus General Affairs Team.
Beyond the Menu: Additional Services Introduced
The update includes not only the meal service but also the pop-up deli corner. An unmanned coffee machine was installed on August 20. It offers various drink options, from hot or cold coffee to non-coffee beverages. With affordable prices ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 won, the machine proved highly popular among the KHU community, generating over 100,000 won in profit on its first day of operation.
New coffee machine at the pop-up deli
Handmade gimbap is now available. The KHU Cooperatives added this option to the pop-up deli in the last week of August. The gimbap is prepared before lunchtime and served until the afternoon. Customers can purchase it for 3,000 won during these hours. During the SCCMC meeting, the gimbap option was regarded as enhancing satisfaction for various users: those wanting a cheaper meal, those who do not like the lunch menu, and those who miss mealtime due to lectures.
Moreover, the KHU Cooperatives announced that a fruit box machine will be installed. "The machine will begin service from September 1. The price will likely range between 3,500 to 5,500 won, depending on the composition," the KHU Cooperatives explained at the SCCMC meeting.
The significance of these changes can be understood by considering the former operators. When Riaeni La Matinee was running the 2nd Dormitory's cafeteria, they decided to reduce meal options to address hygiene and taste issues by concentrating on one menu. As a result, what once began with two meal options changed to just serving one menu in the cafeteria.
Riaeni La Matinee did not operate the pop-up deli as effectively as the KHU Cooperatives. When this company served snacks in the pop-up deli, KHU staff occasionally discovered expired items being sold on the shelves. These poor management practices were reported by KHU media to the public, making the company notorious for threatening the community's safety.
In contrast, the KHU Cooperative's operation has been both successful and innovative. Unlike Riaeni La Matinee, the KHU Cooperative has not posed any hygiene risks to the KHU community. Furthermore, the Cooperative has improved its services based on community demands, distinguishing itself from competitors who failed to enhance diversity. These changes have occurred in just half a year, making the KHU Cooperative's achievements more significant compared to what former conglomerates could not accomplish.
From this semester, the KHU Cooperatives is greeting the KHU Global Campus community with a wider variety of options. Beyond meal options like composition and menu items, updates to the pop-up deli—including coffee, fruit, and kimbap—seem to allow users to enjoy meals tailored to their preferences. Its future operations remain to be seen.
Related Stories
● KHU Cooperatives Becomes the New Meal Provider for the Student Center at KHU Global Campus
● KHU Cooperatives: Begin to Manage the Student Cafeterias at the Both Campuses
● KHU Cooperatives Opens Its Doors — How Did the KHU Community Respond?
● Second SCCMC Meeting: Addressing Food Safety, Workload, and Pricing
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