SEOUL, Jan. 31 -- South Korea's latest social craze is golden, salty and best shared in fistfuls.

What started as a small curiosity has turned into a full-blown urban fad, with young South Koreans arranging casual "fry meetups" through community apps and social media.

According to The Korea Times, listings for these gatherings have been multiplying on Karrot, the neighbourhood marketplace known for spawning micro-communities.

Ninety-nine fry groups have appeared so far, including 11 in Seoul alone. A Mapo District "fry club" amassed more than 700 members in just two weeks, while a Gangnam group dedicated solely to McDonald's fries pulled in around 500.

Across Instagram and X, screenshots of these invitations - "Let's eat fries togethe...