naraDD
Introduction to naraDD (naraDD)
We are not a corporation, but an individual business. However, our family's life in Nepal has already surpassed 45 years. We also handle general air and sea import/export operations between Korea and Nepal about 2 to 4 times a year. Therefore, we personally manage the import/export, customs clearance, and quarantine of morel products.From the Himalayan morel mountains to our supporters' kitchens, the only hand involved in the process is 'naraDD'. This is naraDD's unique secret to maintaining quality.
However, during the export stage from Nepal to Korea, we formally use the name of a local company. This is because the Nepalese government does not grant trade licenses to foreign business owners. So, we either establish a company under the name of a local acquaintance (in 2023, 'Natura Trading') or cooperate with K-Med, a Korean company based in Nepal that regularly works with 'naraDD' on import/export (this is also a trading company established under a Nepalese acquaintance's name). My husband, Director Kim Cheolhan, will now explain the local situation.
Hello, this is Director Kim Cheolhan.
I will explain the entire process in detail, from local project planning to domestic reward delivery. Since 2020, I have overseen the process of product development and distribution of morel mushrooms and two types of medicinal mushrooms from Nepal to Korea, gaining valuable experience. If you are not interested in a long story, I recommend skipping this part. Now then...
To the room of truth!
I will explain as much as possible in text only. This is a kind of backstage story for professional chefs who already know the value and essence of morels, or for supporters working in the specialty food industry. If I may say so, our '2026 Himalayan Morel King' is a world-class luxury morel. The first reason is the geographical characteristics of the 'Himalayan Morel King'.
- Himalayan wild morelsare harvested at altitudes around 3,000 meters. This simple yet amazing natural condition is the absolute factor that determines the quality of morels. Morels grown in environments with thin oxygen and extreme temperature differences develop a texture and flavor incomparable to those grown on flatlands or cultivated varieties.
- naraDD directly purchases in Nepal, and then personally handles inspection, packaging, quarantine, import/export, customs clearance, and quarantine. There are no middlemen involved.
- 100% Handpicked Selection (Artisan Selection): Mechanical mass processing can destroy the delicate honeycomb structure of morels or make it difficult to completely remove foreign substances. Wepersonally inspect each and every piece by eye and refine and select them with a brush.
At this stage, naraDD already leaves overseas luxury morel brands far behind. While naraDD is handling all these processes, they simply wait in their home countries for the morels to arrive. As time passes, the quality of the morels inevitably declines. The quality of 100% natural ingredients is determined during the local packaging process, and there is no way to improve it afterward.
Currently, naraDD is the only one able to come to the local area and personally handle the entire process throughout the Himalayas. This is how the quality of the 'Himalayan Morel King' is perfected, and no overseas luxury morel brand can intervene in this process. They simply follow the bulk packaging of Nepalese suppliers.
No matter how carefully blended in advanced countries' hygienic facilities, there is no opportunity to recover the quality loss of morels that occurs during local purchasing, packaging, and transportation. Instead, they just slap the label 'wild' on morels gathered from various countries. Isn't that why some say cultivated varieties are better?
- Global luxury brands in Europe also highly value Himalayan morels. However,it is inevitable to collect them in large quantities from various mountain regions in each country, and then, during the complex export and import process, the morels spend several months in bulk, gradually losing their original aroma. In contrast, 'Naradidi'performs final packaging on site and brings the finished products into Korea in the shortest time via Korean Air.
- This process of determining quality is not because someone is particularly skilled. Nor is it because global brands are incompetent. It is simply because the quality of wild products is determined by nature. Ourmorel product's quality is determined by the Himalayas. Naradidi only seals it in as quickly as possible.
1.Permission: The procedure for harvesting wild mushrooms is much stricter than in Korea. You must pass the review of the local authorities and the regional residents' association, and pay taxes to obtain permission. Then, to transport them to Kathmandu, you must obtain a separate transport permit.
2.Inspection: Naradidi removes foreign substances from each morel one by one with a brush and performs meticulous cutting and sorting. Maybe it's because I personally like morels that we do it this way, but the locals find me a bit strange for this.
3.Packaging: 'Himalayan Morel King' is packaged with silica gel and oxygen absorbers for safe transport and storage. After this, it maintains its fresh quality for over two years.
4.Quarantine: Quarantine by the Nepalese authorities is conducted in Kathmandu. When we submit product samples and an application, a customs officer comes directly to our warehouse to inspect and seal the product boxes after quarantine. Once the quarantine certificate is issued, the products are sent to Incheon via Korean Air, undergo a detailed inspection, and are then delivered to our supporters.
Overwhelming quality.
I kept mentioning 'the world's best.' But it's true. There are a few representative global morel brands. France's S company, B company, and P company, which has also entered Korea, all import morel raw materials from Nepal, India, China, Turkey, and other countries, blend them, and distribute them worldwide at high prices.
Among them, Himalayan morels are the best. However, the quality of wild ingredients cannot be determined by companies. It is determined by the Himalayas. Once again, the one that reaches supporters' kitchens the fastest from Nepal is our 'Himalayan Morel King.'
Experience of failure.
In 2023, the first stage we entered with Korea's first morel product was also 'Wadiz.' At that time, I was concerned that the word 'morel' might seem unfamiliar, so I called it 'gombo mushroom.' The project was not completed, and we only shared disappointment with the participating supporters. Although it was sold out through a separate channel afterward, due to the limitations of the domestic market, we began to target overseas markets.
Why return to Wadiz?
While checking demand with European and Japanese companies ahead of the 2026 morel season, negotiations began with France's S company, the largest high-end food ingredient brand in Europe with a long history. (Those in the know may already recognize the company.) The director in charge, 'O,' said, "Ship 1,000kg of dried weight. Payment will be made after arrival and inspection." For a moment, I doubted my ears and ended the negotiation by replying, "Opening a letter of credit is the basic of international trade." However, this incident became the trigger for this season. (Such details can be provided as evidence during project review if necessary.)
The return of the king, Himalayan Morel King!
While preparing the project, I also looked back at changes in the domestic morel market. In the general retail market, where understanding of morels is still limited, low-priced Chinese farmed morels seem to have taken root. I am not concerned about a different level of cultivated varieties, but the domestic market conditions still do not seem sufficient.
Wild morels are a rare product group, and especially the 'Himalayan Morel King' is at the pinnacle. Nevertheless, I think this project may still be far from success, as before. However, I will proceed with this project for chef supporters who have an eye for luxury and recognize its necessity, even if only a few.
I still feel sorry for the 2023 supporters who ordered a considerable amount but were disappointed due to the project's failure. Therefore, I will do my best to explain Himalayan Morel King again and offer even more attractive rewards.
The story behind the pricing: Because it's Wadiz!
In 2023, the price of our Himalayan 'Morel King Black' sold on regular retail malls was 58,400 KRW for one 50g pack. For this 2026 project, the 'Morel King Black' super early bird price is almost half of that. Isn't it an amazing price? Only possible on Wadiz.
I confirmed that the best-selling Chinese farmed morel on a leading domestic online shopping mall is 33,000 KRW for 50g, including shipping. Our reward, the 'Morel King Black' super early bird price, is exactly the same. The world's best quality wild morel is being offered at the same price as the common Chinese farmed variety. Amazing, right? Only possible on Wadiz.
To elite chef supporters,
Even as I launch this project, I am not optimistic. I heard that the winning menu of a recent popular cooking competition was related to morels. However, in Korea, morels are still an unknown luxury ingredient and quite expensive. Most of the supporters who chose 'Himalayan Morel King' in 2023 were industry professionals. Therefore, I confidently, politely, and clearly state: This project is your opportunity to prepare the entire 2026 supply at the best quality and price.
These are not Turkish frozen mini off-grade products selected and processed in the European market, nor are they farmed in greenhouses, nor have they passed through multiple intermediaries in Nepal. This is a product delivered directly to chefs through the most ideal route for wild morels. It is the best morel that top chefs can be proud of anywhere in the world.
A chance returning after three years.
That is why the regret is even greater for this season-limited project, which is held only once a year. 'Naradidi' is not just a merchant but a Himalayan natural food developer. We will produce only the amount ordered, according to the specified standards. As the best morel product developer, I ask supporters to join us.
The brand is Korean!
It is said that Japanese violin majors do not feel the need to study abroad. They believe there is no need to go overseas to learn, as the world's best performers are Japanese. I am not sure how true that is. However, with the support of our backers, although morels originate from the Himalayas, the 'Himalayan Morel King' brand will become the world's best domestic product. Thank you!
How to Properly Identify Morel Mushrooms
I may have spoken at length, but for those who have read this far, I will guide you on how to properly identify morels. Of course, professional chefs may know this better than I do, but this is a tip for some general backers.
1. Fresh morels do not have the unique flavor and nutrients that are formed and increased during the drying process.
2. Since about 90% of the moisture in fresh morels disappears during drying, 1kg of fresh morels becomes less than 100g of dried morels. If you are not careful, you may be misled by the weight and end up paying an unreasonable price.
3. Wild morels classified as 'mini' are relatively inexpensive because they are the sizes left after selecting standard products. However, in the domestic market, they are being sold at prices higher than standard morel products, so please be cautious.
4. Aside from being wild, if a product is labeled as 'off-grade mini' and 'frozen fresh morel,' it is the worst combination.
5. How to distinguish between wild and cultivated morels: Cultivated morels are only certain species that can be farmed, grown and harvested artificially at specific times. Therefore, all products have uniform color, shape, size, and species.
6. On the other hand, in the case of Himalayan Morel King, up to seven species of wild morels grow in different pristine highland environments and are harvested only in spring. Therefore, a single product contains various species, colors, shapes, and sizes of morels.
Just as we make songpyeon during holidays, in France, when spring arrives each year, children holding their grandfather's hand go into the forest to pick morels and enjoy cooking them. In this way, morel dishes are loved as a lifelong cultural tradition, beyond fine dining. I hope that the best quality morel products will be established and further developed in the domestic industry and general market!
