Travelers heading home for Chuseok can sample locally inspired drinks made with agricultural products from across Gyeongnam at Haman Rest Area on the Namhae Expressway.

The “Cha Mat Gado” shop, located at the Busan-bound Haman Rest Area, offers teas and beverages featuring ingredients grown around the province, including Haman watermelon, Geoje citron, Changnyeong ginger, Hadong plum, Geochang strawberries and flowers from Changwon.

The name roughly translates to “a highway where the tea tastes good.” The concept was launched in April through a partnership between the Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, the Korea Expressway Corporation’s Busan-Gyeongnam headquarters and regional highway rest area operators.

The project aims to provide an alternative to the coffee-dominated selection typically found at highway rest areas while creating another sales channel for local farmers.

The Haman location currently offers 19 teas and beverages using 13 types of agricultural products from Gyeongnam. The menu was also designed to avoid overlapping with drinks sold by existing franchise businesses at the rest area.

Since opening, the shop has sold around 10,000 drinks in approximately four months. According to an analysis by the Korea Expressway Corporation, its tea and beverage sales were 58.2% higher than those at comparable highway rest areas.

One of its most popular drinks has been the Haman watermelon juice, made with locally grown watermelons purchased directly from farmers.

Chuseok travelers will have one final opportunity to try the seasonal drink this year, as sales will end following the holiday period and are not expected to return until next summer.

A large map titled “Flavors of Gyeongnam” is also displayed outside the shop, introducing representative agricultural products from cities and counties around the province.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu