Seoul, KOREA ¶ Mar 09, 2012 (Whowired) -- As smartphone user numbers are expected to reach 30 million this year, many companies are busy coming up with apps as part of their marketing effort to grab consumer attention. Food companies are also joining the fray.

For example, Nongshim Foods has introduced an app for its ramen consumers who want to learn more about a variety of ramen recipes. It has also launched an app providing calorie and nutritional information to those who are interested in healthful eating. E-Mart, the discount store operator, has run the “E-Mart Menu” app that allows its online members to use points to get recipe information.

Namyang Dairy Products has also made available the Namyang-i app by which the user can look up useful information on pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. Meanwhile, CJ Foods, the largest food processor in Korea, has recently made available a new app called “CJ the Kitchen” on smartphones. The same app had been launched in December 2010 for Tablet PC users.

CJ the Kitchen, basically the recipe book, provides many other pieces of information such as food styling, nutritional data, and related product information. In addition the app permits the user to share the information with others through social networking sites, email, and text message. Even the bread-and-butter recipe information is more extensive than the apps provided by other food companies. Currently the app boasts a total of 115 recipes which the company official says will increase to as many as 500 at the end of the year.

Sean Chung (press@whowired.com)