📌 Key answer (checked Oct 27, 2026)
Pepero Day 2026 is Wednesday, November 11. Koreans give each other Pepero, Lotte's chocolate-dipped biscuit sticks, because "11.11" looks like four sticks standing in a row. It is a fun gift day, not a public holiday.
Shopping from the US? Lotte Wellfood's own Amazon store sells 8-pack boxes for $14.99 each. Original and Almond are the classics; Crunchy gives you the most stick per dollar (about $1.36/oz).
Every November, Korean convenience stores turn into walls of red, pink and green boxes, and it is all for one snack. If you have seen "11.11" posts from K-pop fans or Korean friends, this is why.
This guide covers when Pepero Day 2026 is, what people actually do, where the day came from, what's new this year, and which Pepero flavors you can order on Amazon US before November 11.
A quick note on who wrote this: I'm a shopper based in Korea, and I compiled this post from Lotte's official pages, Korean news reports and the Amazon US listings. This is not a taste review, so you won't find "I ate the whole box" claims here. Prices were checked on October 27, 2026, and every source is listed at the end.
When is Pepero Day 2026?
Pepero Day 2026 is on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The date never moves: it is always 11/11, so in 2027 it falls on a Thursday.
It is not a public holiday. Schools, offices, banks and shops are open as usual, which is exactly why it works: people hand boxes to classmates and coworkers during a normal day.
The season starts weeks earlier: Lotte Wellfood released its 2026 holiday packages in mid-October.
What is Pepero Day?
Pepero Day is an unofficial Korean gift day when people give Pepero, thin biscuit sticks dipped in chocolate, to friends, family, coworkers and partners.
The idea is simple: the date 11.11 looks like four Pepero sticks. The name also helps. Lotte says the snack was named for its thin, long shape, and "ppaeppae" (빼빼) is Korean slang for skinny.
Pepero itself is old. Lotte launched it in April 1983, and according to Lotte's official blog it sold 4.4 billion won in its first year. In other words, the snack came first and the "day" came more than a decade later.
Think of it as a lighter, cheaper cousin of Valentine's Day. A single box is a small "thinking of you," while couples often trade big gift sets or homemade versions.
Pepero Original 8-pack, 2026 Stray Kids edition (240 g / 8.46 oz). Image: LOTTE WELLFOOD listing on Amazon US.
Where did Pepero Day come from?
Pepero Day most likely started with teenage girls in the Busan and South Gyeongsang area in the mid-1990s, not with a Lotte ad campaign, though Lotte soon turned it into a marketing event.
Here is what the sources agree on, and where they differ:
- Lotte's own story: Lotte's official blog says middle-school girls in the Yeongnam region (around Busan) started exchanging Pepero in the early-to-mid 1990s, wishing each other to grow "tall and slim like Pepero." Lotte admits the exact year and the first people are unknown.
- First press record: The Korea Times (Nov 7, 2024) reports that the first media mention of the day appeared in November 1996. A Lotte Wellfood official told the paper: "It is not a culture created at the company level."
- When Lotte joined in: Yonhap's 2024 fact check says Lotte started using the name and handing out free Pepero in Seoul's Gangnam and in Changwon the following year, 1997.
- Different dates online: Some English sites and a 2015 Kookje Shinmun article give 1994 as the start year. We could not confirm that year in a primary source, so treat it as "mid-1990s."
So the fair summary is: students started it, the press noticed it in 1996, and Lotte made it national from 1997 on.
How do Koreans celebrate Pepero Day?
Koreans celebrate by giving Pepero boxes, from a single 2,000-won box for a classmate to big themed gift sets for a partner.
What it looks like in practice:
- School and work: students swap boxes with friends, and office workers often bring a bag to share with the team.
- Couples: bigger gift sets or homemade chocolate sticks.
- Convenience stores: they build huge displays and themed sets. Homesinkor reported 2025 lineups of about 150 sets at GS25, 116 items at 7-Eleven and 44 at CU.
- Price: a regular 54 g Choco Pepero costs about 2,000 won (around $1.40) at convenience stores, up from 1,800 won before a February 2025 price increase (Homesinkor).
Not everyone joins in. Some people see it as a pure marketing day, and that is part of why an alternative day exists.
KoreanClass101 explains how Pepero Day is celebrated in Korea (educational video, not a Lotte ad).
Is November 11 anything else in Korea?
Yes. November 11 is also Farmers' Day (농업인의 날) in Korea, and many people celebrate it as Garaetteok Day with long white rice cakes instead of Pepero.
The logic is the same visual pun: "11" looks like a stick, and garaetteok (가래떡) is a long, cylinder-shaped rice cake. It is promoted as a rice-farming alternative to a candy brand's day.
November is a busy gift month in Korea in general: the 2026 college entrance exam (CSAT) follows a week later, on Thursday, November 19.
What's new for Pepero Day 2026?
For 2026, Lotte Wellfood released 10 season packages, including Stray Kids, Sanrio and Ganadi editions, and is running ads in New York's Times Square for the fourth year in a row.
- 10 season packages (Korean press, Oct 14, 2026): 7 character collabs and 3 gift packs.
- Stray Kids Almond and White Cookie
- Four Sanrio Characters boxes (Choco, Crunky and two assortments)
- A 5-box Ganadi assortment
- Sampler (6), Carrier (4) and Gift (6) packs
- Limited flavor: "Double Rich Salty Vanilla" is back as a season-only release.
- Times Square: Pepero ads run from October 19 to November 15, 2026, Lotte's fourth straight year there since 2023 (Yonhap, Oct 21, 2026).
- "PLAY WITH PEPERO": a global Instagram event with Stray Kids runs until February 5, 2027. 111 winners get invitations to a Stray Kids meet & greet in Seoul in April 2027, and the top 11 also get travel and a two-night stay.
- Global reach: Lotte says Pepero is now sold in about 50 countries.
One catch for US buyers: the Amazon listings say the "MEET STRAY KIDS IN KOREA" package event is held in Korea and is not open to U.S. residents. The QR code on the box still unlocks a downloadable digital photo card and a video.
Which Pepero flavors can you buy on Amazon US?
Lotte Wellfood's own Amazon store sells six 8-pack Pepero flavors, all at $14.99: Original, Almond, White Cookie, Strawberry, Snowy Almond and Crunchy.
All six are listed as "Ships from Amazon, Sold by LOTTE WELLFOOD CO.,LTD." and come in the 2026 Stray Kids packaging. Because the price is the same, the real difference is net weight. Heavier coatings (nuts, cookie bits, crunch pieces) mean more grams for your $14.99.
Pepero flavor comparison table (Amazon US, Oct 27, 2026)
| Flavor (8-pack) | What it is | Net weight | Price | $ per oz* | Amazon ASIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Classic chocolate-coated biscuit stick | 240 g / 8.46 oz (30 g × 8) | $14.99 | $1.77 | B0HFQVHJ2R |
| Almond | Chocolate coating with almond pieces | 256 g / 9.03 oz | $14.99 | $1.66 | B0HF3SGBG8 |
| White Cookie | White coating with cookie bits | 256 g / 9.03 oz | $14.99 | $1.66 | B0HFRFMYL8 |
| Strawberry | Pink coating with strawberry and raspberry powder | 256 g / 9.03 oz | $14.99 | $1.66 | B0H8M46PLT |
| Snowy Almond | White coating with almond | 256 g / 9.03 oz | $14.99 | $1.66 | B0H8M576KB |
| Crunchy | Chocolate coating covered in crispy pieces | 312 g / 11.0 oz (39 g × 8) | $14.99 | $1.36 | B0H8M199K1 |
| Pocky Chocolate (Glico, for comparison) | Japan's older chocolate stick, launched 1966 | 4.13 oz (9 bags) | $5.64 deal (list $7.48) | $1.37 | B01N2PNHXC |
*Price per ounce is our math: price ÷ net weight. Amazon shows its own per-ounce figures, and some of them use odd unit counts, so we recalculated.
A few things stand out:
- Original is the "real" Pepero Day box, but it is the lightest pack, so it has the highest price per ounce.
- Almond is the other long-time classic. It is the only official 8-pack with a visible star rating so far: 4.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, which is far too few to mean much.
- Crunchy is the value pick at about $1.36/oz.
- Strawberry showed "50+ bought in past week" and White Cookie "500+ viewed in past week" when we checked. These are all new listings, so most have no ratings yet.
Pepero Almond 8-pack, 2026 Stray Kids edition (256 g / 9.03 oz). Image: LOTTE WELLFOOD listing on Amazon US.
Is Pepero the same as Pocky?
No. They look alike, but Pocky is made by Japan's Ezaki Glico and came first (1966), while Pepero is Lotte's Korean snack, launched in 1983.
In Korea, Haitai makes Pocky and markets November 11 as its own "Stick Day," so you'll see both brands on shelves.
On Amazon US, a 9-bag Pocky Chocolate box (4.13 oz) was $5.64 on sale (list price $7.48) with 4.6 stars from 11,050 ratings. That works out to about $1.37/oz, close to Pepero Crunchy. If you want the actual Pepero Day box, though, it has to say Pepero.
What should you check before buying Pepero online?
Check the seller, the delivery date and the allergens before you order. Food on Amazon is non-returnable.
- Seller: the official 8-packs say "Sold by LOTTE WELLFOOD CO.,LTD." Variety packs from other sellers often cost much more. One 7-flavor pack was $38.99 when we checked.
- Timing: on Oct 27, Amazon showed Prime delivery by Oct 29 and free standard delivery (orders over $35) by Nov 1. Dates depend on your address, so order by early November if you want boxes in hand on 11/11.
- Allergens: the official listings name wheat, milk, soy, almond and peanut and say the facility also processes egg. Coconut appears too. Even Original lists almond and peanut.
- Returns: non-returnable for food-safety reasons. If a box arrives damaged, Amazon says you can request a refund or replacement with a photo.
- Calories: per the Original's nutrition label, one 30 g pack is 140 calories with 9 g of sugar.
- Stray Kids event: the digital photo card works anywhere, but the Korea meet-up event isn't open to U.S. residents.
What are the limits of this guide?
- No taste test. This post compares listings, labels and weights. It does not rate flavor.
- New listings. Most official 8-packs had few or no Amazon ratings on Oct 27, 2026, so there's no reliable crowd score yet.
- Origin details vary. Sources disagree on the exact start year (1994 vs. mid-1990s) and on whether Lotte's promotion began in 1996 or 1997. We used Lotte's blog, The Korea Times and Yonhap.
- Prices move. Amazon prices, the Pocky deal and delivery dates can change daily.
Final verdict: which Pepero should you buy for Pepero Day 2026?
Buy Original if you want the classic Pepero Day gift, Almond if you want the other fan favorite, and Crunchy if you want the most Pepero for $14.99.
For sharing with a group, one 8-pack gives you eight separate boxes to hand out. Buy from the LOTTE WELLFOOD seller, check the allergens if you're giving to kids or coworkers, and order by early November so it arrives before Wednesday, November 11.
FAQ
Q1. What day is Pepero Day 2026?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. It is always on 11/11.
Q2. Is Pepero Day a public holiday in Korea?
No. Schools and offices are open; it is an informal gift day.
Q3. Why is Pepero Day on November 11?
Because 11.11 looks like four Pepero sticks standing side by side.
Q4. Who started Pepero Day?
Most likely teenage girls in the Busan and South Gyeongsang area in the mid-1990s. Lotte says it did not create the custom but began promoting it in 1997, per Yonhap.
Q5. What do you give on Pepero Day?
Usually boxes of Pepero for friends, classmates and coworkers, and bigger gift sets or homemade chocolate sticks for partners.
Q6. What is the most popular Pepero flavor?
Original (chocolate) and Almond are the long-time classics. We could not find official 2026 sales rankings by flavor.
Q7. Can you buy official Pepero on Amazon US?
Yes. LOTTE WELLFOOD sells six 8-pack flavors on Amazon US at $14.99 each (Oct 27, 2026).
Q8. What else happens on November 11 in Korea?
It is also Farmers' Day, and many people celebrate it as Garaetteok Day with long rice cakes.
Sources (checked Oct 27, 2026)
- Lotte official blog, Pepero history and the origin of Pepero Day (Korean): https://blog.lotte.co.kr/38542
- The Korea Times, "How Pepero Day got started in Korea" (Nov 7, 2024): https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20241107/how-pepero-day-got-started-in-korea
- Yonhap News fact check on Pepero Day's origin (Korean, 2024): https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241104142900518
- Yonhap News, Lotte Wellfood global Pepero Day marketing and Times Square ads (Korean, Oct 21, 2026): https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261021054300030
- Sports Chosun (English), Lotte Wellfood steps up global marketing for Pepero Day (Oct 26, 2026): https://www.sportschosun.com/en/culture/2026-10-26/202610260100159690010395
- MTN, 2026 Pepero Day season packages (Korean, Oct 14, 2026): https://news.mtn.co.kr/news-detail/2026101411291266453
- Insight, Lotte Wellfood releases 10 Pepero Day packages (Korean): https://www.insight.co.kr/news/577770
- Homesinkor, Pepero Day in Korea 2026 (Oct 14, 2026): https://homesinkor.com/blog/pepero-day-in-korea-2026
- KEL Korean, Pepero Day 2026: https://kelkorean.com/pepero-day/
- Korea Culture Now, Pepero Day: https://koreaculturenow.com/pepero-day/
- Glico, Pocky history: https://www.glico.com/global/100th_history_contents/highlight/product/006.html
- Amazon US, LOTTE WELLFOOD Pepero 8-packs: Original https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFQVHJ2R, Almond https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HF3SGBG8, White Cookie https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFRFMYL8, Strawberry https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8M46PLT, Snowy Almond https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8M576KB, Crunchy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8M199K1
- Amazon US, Glico Pocky Chocolate 9 bags (ASIN B01N2PNHXC): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2PNHXC
- YouTube, KoreanClass101, "How to Celebrate Pepero Day in Korea?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id0GCx1X8gI
No affiliate links. Prices are in USD and were checked on Oct 27, 2026; they may have changed since. Allergen and nutrition details are from the Amazon listings and package images. Always check the label on the box you receive.
