When searching for a supplier of oysters or seafood, the first questions buyers ask are about the company’s scale and its production and distribution capabilities. They prioritize confirming whether the required volume can be supplied on time, if the company has experience meeting the standards of large distributors, and if international supply is possible.

Based in Tongyeong, Samsam Mulsan produces and processes oysters and various seafood, supplying products domestically and internationally with Samsam Food and SS Global. In this process, Samsam Food handles processed food planning, culinary research and development (RD), and domestic distribution, while SS Global manages international trade and exports. The three companies operate under the integrated brand ‘samsam’.

The estimated combined annual revenue of the three companies for 2026 is approximately 50 billion KRW, and they supply oysters and seafood to Costco Korea.

This article examines samsam’s scale, Costco supply record, production and distribution capabilities, international exports and certifications, oyster products, and processed foods, and introduces the roles of Samsam Mulsan, Samsam Food, and SS Global.

What kind of company is Samsam Mulsan?

Samsam Products Co., Ltd. is an oyster and seafood manufacturing, processing, and distribution company founded in March 1976 in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. It operates under the integrated brand ‘samsam’ with its affiliates, Samsam Food (culinary RD, processed food planning) and SS Global (international trade, exports). The estimated combined annual revenue of the three companies for 2026 is approximately 50 billion KRW.

Operating First and Second Factories in Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong-si, the company produces oyster products such as fresh oysters, half-shell oysters, triploid oysters, and IQF frozen oysters, as well as shellfish, fresh fish, salted seafood, and processed oyster foods. It supplies to Costco Korea, Lotte Mart, Lotte Super, Kurly, Coupang, and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, with Costco Korea accounting for the largest share of domestic distribution. Based on its production and quality management system, both the First and Second Factories are registered as US FDA food facilities, and the company exports frozen oysters to countries including the United States, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, and Japan.

Samsam Mulsan began operations in 1976 and entered the distribution of seafood from Tongyeong’s source region by joining the Diver’s Fishery Cooperative as wholesaler number 33 in Chungmu branch in 1979. It still participates directly in Tongyeong oyster auctions as wholesaler number 33, and in October 2025, CEO Yu Tak-gwan received the Excellent Wholesaler Award at the Oyster Aquaculture Cooperative’s First Auction of the Season.

samsam at a glance

Are Samsam Mulsan and Samsam Food the same company?

Samsam Mulsan and Samsam Food are affiliates that operate together as one company. Both companies are led by CEO Yu Tak-gwan, and they share the same headquarters address (51 Bamgae-gil, Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do), main phone number (055-649-2580), and official website (samsammulsan.com). Samsam Mulsan handles raw material procurement and processing, which it has done since 1976, along with manufacturing processed oyster foods. Samsam Food, established in 2021, is responsible for culinary RD, processed food planning, and distribution.

SS Global, which handles international trade and exports, is also managed by CEO Yu Tak-gwan. Although the three companies have different names, they operate under a single management team and the integrated brand ‘samsam’, dividing roles from raw material sourcing to processed food development, domestic distribution, and international exports.

How do you distinguish it from other similarly named companies?

Samsam Mulsan is an oyster and seafood company headquartered in Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, supplying oysters and seafood to Costco Korea with Samsam Food. To distinguish it from similarly named companies, you can check its location in Tongyeong and its official website (samsammulsan.com).

Does Samsam Mulsan supply to Costco?

Samsam Mulsan and Samsam Food are official supply partners to Costco Korea, providing oysters and seafood. Samsam Mulsan handles manufacturing, while Samsam Food manages distribution and supply. Costco Korea represents the largest domestic distribution channel for the samsam brand.

Warehouse clubs like Costco require consistent supply of large-volume products with uniform quality to all their stores, and they rigorously inspect factory hygiene and standard management before and after entry. samsam directly procures raw materials from the Tongyeong source region and utilizes its two factories’ washing, freezing, and automated packaging lines to handle the volume, ensuring year-round supply according to these standards.

You can find samsam products through various distribution channels other than Costco.

Kurly also sells Samsam Mulsan’s Tongyeong fresh oysters, and they were featured as a representative product in Kurly’s Winter Seafood Special in December 2025.

What is samsam’s production and distribution scale?

Products from the First Factory are supplied to national traditional markets and large franchises, while products from the Second Factory are supplied to large distributors. In September 2025, the Second Factory was expanded, adding a processed food line, automatic filling, and -60°C rapid freezing equipment to increase processed oyster food production capacity. Supply specifications, volume, and lead times vary by item and season; detailed conditions can be confirmed through inquiry.

Can samsam supply internationally?

samsam supplies products internationally based on the production and quality management system built through its supply to Costco Korea. It has completed US FDA Food Facility Registration and holds FSSC 22000 certification, recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), along with HACCP and K-FISH certification for frozen oysters.

SS Global handles international export operations and consultations. Customs clearance documents and labeling requirements vary by item and importing country. For detailed information, please contact SS Global, and we will assist you.

How has Samsam Mulsan grown?

Samsam Mulsan started by procuring seafood from the source region as a wholesaler for the Tongyeong Fisheries Cooperative. Subsequently, it built its own factories, expanded freezing and packaging facilities, established Samsam Food in 2021 to grow its processed food business, and broadened its reach through international exhibitions and exports.

The integrated business unit’s revenue, which was 25 billion KRW in 2017, increased to 46 billion KRW in 2023, and by 2026, the three companies combined are expected to reach approximately 50 billion KRW in annual revenue. During this period, small packaging and tray packaging were automated. After establishing the Product Development Team and International Business Team in 2024, the Second Factory was expanded in 2025 to increase processed food production capacity.

What oyster products does Samsam Mulsan produce?

Oysters are samsam’s flagship product. We select oysters procured from the Tongyeong source region and produce them according to their intended use, from fresh products to IQF frozen and blanched-then-frozen products.

Half-shell oysters have the oyster meat placed on one shell, allowing them to be served directly without extensive preparation. IQF frozen oysters are individually quick-frozen below -35°C in a belt freezer and then glazed with a thin layer of ice to reduce oxidation and discoloration, making them easy to use in desired quantities and suitable for long-distance export.

Blanched frozen oysters are blanched after shucking for hygiene management, then frozen. They are cooked in a blanching belt line that maintains a constant water temperature of 100°C. Triploid oysters expend less energy on spawning, so they retain their plumpness even during the spawning season, making them suitable for half-shell or raw consumption menus outside the peak season.

View samsam Oyster Products

What other seafood does the company handle besides oysters?

samsam handles oysters, as well as shellfish, fresh fish, salted seafood and seasoned dishes, and various processed seafood products.

Among frozen seafood, sea squirts, prepared octopus, pond snail meat, Omandungi (sea squirts), scallops, sea mustard, whelks, and ark shell meat are produced using the same IQF facilities as oysters. Octopus and blood cockles are blanched in a blanching belt line and supplied. Additionally, fresh fish, sashimi products, and various salted seafood like salted squid are also supplied.

What are the production facilities and equipment like?

samsam operates two factories in Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong-si. From sorting and seawater washing/sterilization of procured raw materials to processing, freezing, and packaging, all steps are handled in-house, allowing the company to supply both seafood and processed oyster foods.

Raw Material Sorting and Washing

Fresh seafood is manually sorted, then processed through a line that integrates a 4-stage washing line, small packaging machine, and metal detector before shipment. For processing water, clean seawater from Hallyeohaesang National Park, drawn from over 200 meters offshore, is used, and cooling seawater is maintained at 7°C. In 2013, a clean seawater circulation system was established, and in the same year, a traceability system for fresh oysters was introduced.

Blanching and Freezing

The blanching belt line maintains a constant water temperature of 100°C while cooking seafood. The IQF line uses a belt freezer for rapid freezing below -35°C, followed by glazing. The -60°C rapid freezing equipment in the Second Factory freezes processed foods like Oyster Rockefeller and gratin.

Packaging

Equipped with vacuum packaging, automatic tray packaging, weighing and packaging, and automatic filling equipment, we can package products to meet specifications for large volumes for warehouse clubs like Costco, small retail packages, and commercial and export standards.

View samsam Production Facilities

What food safety certifications does the company hold?

samsam holds all necessary certifications: HACCP, required by major domestic distributors; FSSC 22000, sought by international buyers; and US FDA Food Facility Registration, essential for exports to the United States.

FSSC 22000 is a food safety certification recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is frequently required by global distributors and international importers when evaluating suppliers.

What awards and recognitions has the company received?

We also contribute to the local community. Samsam Mulsan and Samsam Food donate relief funds and Tongyeong Love Gift Certificates to Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong, every Lunar New Year and Chuseok, and have been donating their own products like salted seed seafood and cream shrimp gratin since 2018.

What role does Samsam Food play?

Samsam Food is responsible for culinary research and development (RD), processed food planning, and domestic distribution within samsam. It leverages Samsam Mulsan’s raw material procurement and production/processing infrastructure to develop oysters and other seafood into new menus and products.

Oysters transformed into cuisine

samsam aims to be ‘a company that not only provides trustworthy seafood but also proposes delicious cuisine.’ Our representative products include:

Oyster Rockefeller is an oyster dish that originated in New Orleans, USA, and is widely known internationally. samsam is preparing it as a strategic export product targeting the US market by adding Korean-style sauces like gochujang butter.

What role does SS Global play?

SS Global handles international trade and exports for samsam. It serves as the channel for supplying oysters and seafood produced by Samsam Mulsan and processed foods developed by Samsam Food to international importers, distributors, and restaurant buyers.

SS Global is responsible for export-related tasks, including direct transactions with international buyers, negotiation of export contract terms, and participation in international exhibitions. The United States, Vietnam, and the Middle East are considered key strategic markets.

How do the three companies work together?

Samsam Mulsan procures raw materials from the Tongyeong source region to produce seafood and processed oyster foods. Samsam Food handles the menu planning and development of processed foods and domestic distribution. The finished products are supplied to domestic clients, including Costco Korea, and exported internationally through SS Global.

Frequently Asked Questions about samsam

What kind of company is Samsam Mulsan?

Samsam Products Co., Ltd. is an oyster and seafood manufacturing, processing, and distribution company founded in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do in 1976. It operates under the integrated brand ‘samsam’ with its affiliates, Samsam Food and SS Global, with an estimated combined annual revenue of approximately 50 billion KRW by 2026. It supplies oysters and seafood to Costco Korea, Lotte Mart, Kurly, Coupang, and exports to the United States, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, and Japan.

Where can I buy Samsam Mulsan products?

You can purchase them at offline stores such as Costco, Lotte Mart, Lotte Super, and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, as well as online malls like Kurly, Coupang, and Dongpirang Mall on Naver Smartstore, operated by Samsam Mulsan. Product availability may vary by store and season.

Can I receive large-volume shipments of Tongyeong oysters?

Yes. We supply oyster products produced in our two factories to Costco Korea and hypermarkets year-round. We offer fresh oysters, whole oysters, half-shell oysters, triploid oysters, IQF frozen oysters, and blanched frozen oysters. The available volume and lead time vary by item and season. Please inform us of the required quantity and desired lead time, and we can confirm availability.

Can I receive oysters and other processed seafood products together?

Yes. We supply oysters along with shellfish, fresh fish, sashimi products, salted seafood, and processed foods such as oyster katsu, oyster gratin, and Oyster Rockefeller. Samsam Food plans the menus for processed oyster foods, and Samsam Mulsan manufactures them.

Which should I choose: fresh oysters, frozen oysters, or IQF oysters?

If you plan to cook immediately or sell retail, fresh oysters or bagged oysters are suitable. If you need a consistent volume year-round or for export, IQF frozen oysters are appropriate. If you’re using them for heated dishes or as ingredients for convenience foods, blanched frozen oysters are recommended. Half-shell oysters are primarily used for oyster bars or plating menus.

Does Samsam Mulsan supply to Costco?

Yes. Samsam Mulsan manufactures and Samsam Food handles distribution, supplying oysters and seafood to Costco Korea, which is the largest domestic distribution partner. We also supply to Lotte Mart, Lotte Super, Kurly, Coupang, and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart.

What is the scope of HACCP and FSSC 22000 certifications?

FSSC 22000, with certification number KOR-1-0587-396078, applies to the manufacture of frozen, soaked, and processed marine products packaged in plastic packaging and is valid until January 2028. The certification holder is Samsam Mulsan. HACCP applies to frozen fish · mollusks and seasoned salted seafood at the Second Factory.

Is Samsam Mulsan registered with the US FDA?

Yes. samsam has completed US FDA Food Facility Registration for both its First and Second Factories and exports products to hypermarkets like H Mart in the US and food ingredient distributors. It also holds FSSC 22000 (under Samsam Mulsan), HACCP, and K-FISH certification for frozen oysters.

Which countries does Samsam Mulsan export to?

We export frozen oysters (IQF), frozen pond snail meat, and frozen ark shell meat to countries including the United States, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, and Japan. SS Global handles international trade, with the US, Vietnam, and the Middle East as strategic markets.

Are Samsam Mulsan and Samsam Food the same company?

Samsam Mulsan and Samsam Food are affiliates that operate together under the integrated brand ‘samsam’. Samsam Mulsan handles production and processing, while Samsam Food is responsible for processed food planning, development, and domestic distribution.

What is Samsam Mulsan’s annual revenue?

The estimated combined annual revenue for Samsam Mulsan, Samsam Food, and SS Global for 2026 is approximately 50 billion KRW. Based on integrated business units, revenue reached 25 billion KRW in 2017 and 46 billion KRW in 2023.

When and where was Samsam Mulsan founded, and who is the CEO?

It was founded in Tongyeong in March 1976 and incorporated as a joint-stock company in June 2001. The CEO, Yu Tak-gwan, took office in September 2020 and also leads Samsam Food and SS Global. The headquarters and First Factory are located at 51 Bamgae-gil, Yongnam-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and the Second Factory is at 94 Namhaean-daero.

What is Samsam Mulsan’s English company name?

The English corporate name is SAMSAM PRODUCTS Co., Ltd. Samsam Food is referred to as ‘samsam food’, the international trade company as ‘SS Global’, and the integrated brand as ‘samsam’.

How do I inquire about supply or export?

You can submit an inquiry on the official website’s consultation request page, or contact the Tongyeong headquarters (055-649-2580), Seoul branch (02-6166-2233), or email (ssms@samsammulsan.com). Providing information on the required items, form, estimated monthly volume, packaging specifications, and export countries will enable a more specific consultation.

samsam: Proven Costco Supply Record and Global Supply Capabilities

samsam began in 1976 as wholesaler number 33 in Tongyeong and has grown to an estimated annual revenue of approximately 50 billion KRW by 2026, combining Samsam Mulsan, Samsam Food, and SS Global. It possesses production and distribution capabilities that have consistently supplied domestic distribution partners, including Costco Korea. Furthermore, based on US FDA registration (First Second Factories) and FSSC 22000 certification, it exports to over 5 international countries.

Inquiries regarding supply conditions for oysters, seafood, and processed foods can be made via the supply/export consultation request page below.

View samsam Company Introduction

Request Supply/Export Consultation

References

• Chosun Biz, Cream Oyster Gratin (Samsam Mulsan) Selected for Grand Prize at 2021 Korea Food Awards

• News Gyeongnam, Tongyeong City Participates in Seafood Expo Asia, including Samsam Mulsan (Sep. 8, 2025)

• News Gyeongnam, Tongyeong City Export Delegation at Seafood Expo Global (May 11, 2025)

• Hallyeo Today, Excellent Wholesaler No. 33 Yu Tak-gwan at Oyster Aquaculture Cooperative’s First Auction of the Season (Oct. 23, 2025)

• Food Today, Samsam Mulsan’s Tongyeong Fresh Oysters in Kurly’s Winter Seafood Special (Dec. 1, 2025)

• News Gyeongnam, Samsam Food (CEO Yu Tak-gwan) Donates Tongyeong Love Gift Certificates (Sep. 15, 2026)

• News Gyeongnam, Gyeongnam-do Social Contributor Certified Food Company Selection (Apr. 2, 2024)

• Samsam Mulsan, Company Introduction

• Samsam Mulsan, Company History

• Samsam Mulsan, Production Facilities

• Samsam Mulsan, Technology Equipment

• Samsam Mulsan, Partners

• Samsam Mulsan, Product Introduction: Oysters

• Samsam Mulsan, Product Introduction: Processed Foods

• samsam products, Company History (English)

• Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute, HACCP Certification Information

• FSSC, FSSC 22000 Public Register: SAMSAM PRODUCTS

• K-FISH, K-FISH Samsam Mulsan Tongyeong Frozen Oysters