Located on the Han River, Yeouido is the country’s main financial district, filled with brokers and bankers in suits. The area's dining options run the gamut, from fancy restaurants for business meetings to decades-old cheap grub spots for busy office workers. What is not well known is that Yeouido has a vibrant brunch scene with several chic and cozy brunch spots to choose from. Besides Yeouido’s already famous Skyfarm Brunch cafe located on the 50th floor of FKI Tower, here ar

South Korean exports of red pepper paste and sauces reached an all-time high last year on the back of the growing popularity of Korean food and cultural content, the Korean customs agency said. Overseas shipments of gochujang, soy sauce and various kinds of seasonings amounted to $384 million in 2023, rising 6.2 percent on-year, according to the Korea Customs Service. In terms of volume, the country shipped 131,800 metric tons of such items last year, the second-largest amount ever after 2021, w

Overseas eateries flock to Seoul as Koreans eagerly embrace global food trends

Koreans might not be able to match the US in their love of beef patties, but burgers are one of the most popular options here to grab on the go. At Patties, a new homemade burger restaurant that opened in December near Euljiro 4-ga Station, you don’t want to finish your palm-sized burger in a few bites. Here, the burger is something to appreciate, enjoying every bite in a creative way, such as dipping it in a thick cream soup. Patties’ burgers come in five varieties -- basic, cheese,

For some Koreans, spending time at a cafe might be a way to take an emotional refuge or relieve stress from a hectic life. But for many others, a cup of coffee or dessert at a cafe is merely a means to secure a place to work or study. Hoping to showcase the true French dessert culture, including quality time with friends with tea and traditional French nibbles, renowned chef Kim Na-rae presents the “French Gouter” program at the Park Hyatt Seoul in Gangnam, southern Seoul. Gouter, re

Korean-style fried chicken and kimchi were cited as some of the favorite “hansik” foods among people overseas, a poll showed, with more people becoming aware of Korean cuisine. The survey was based on respondents from 18 major cities across the globe, including New York, Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City, in 2023. It was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to study the awareness of hansik, or Korean cuisine, among people overseas. According to the survey, 60 p

With Seoul quickly becoming a center of luxury spending, even when compared to cities like London and Paris, global luxury powerhouses are flocking to the city to launch gourmet programs at their flagship stores as part of their efforts to cement their loyal fan base, as well as attract an influx of new buyers. Industry insiders say such high-end gourmet experiences allow clientele to enjoy a unique atmosphere that incorporates the diversity and identity of the brand. Woori Louis Vuitton At th

London Bagel Museum and Artist Bakery CBO Lee Hyo-jung talks about brand identity

Korean-style fried chicken was selected as the favorite Korean food outside of Korea, according to the results of a government survey announced Thursday. In an international study involving some 9,000 people living in 18 major cities across the world, officials investigated the global perception of Korean food. The study excluded anyone of Korean descent and surveyed people in New York, Toronto, Paris, London, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Rio de Janeiro. About

Pumpkin, known as a seasonal superfood, is generally enjoyed either in soup, as a garnish or as a side dish. While there are different kinds of pumpkins from yellow pumpkin to green pumpkin --known as aehobak in Korean -- not many people here think of using them in a grilled salad or cooking it with rice. To break the mold, Kim Seung-kyu, a young chef in charge of menu development and cooking at Baby Pumpkin, says he wanted to offer diners a fun experience while making the most of his restaurant

Park Hyatt Seoul, located in Gangnam, southern Seoul, looks to attract those with a prominent sweet tooth in a one-time, dessert-themed event at the hotel’s top floor restaurant, The Lounge, on Jan. 14. The upcoming food event, “Four Hands Dessert: A Taste of Seoul and Paris,” invites renowned chefs Kim Na-rae and Lee Ji-myung to showcase their creativity and inspiration. The event offers an eight-course dessert menu along with a glass of Champagne and a cocktail. While visitor

Koreans can now enjoy the taste of Singaporean celebrity chef Justin Quek’s flagship restaurant Justin Flavours of Asia at the basement food court of Lotte Department Store’s Myeong-dong branch in Sogong-dong, Seoul. Catering to a wide range of visitors from nearby Myeong-dong’s busy office workers, tourists hungry and tired from shopping at downtown Seoul's largest shopping block as well as Singaporeans craving food from home, Justin Flavours of Asia opened in Seoul on De

On a cold winter's day, the aroma of freshly baked goods is hard to resist. As you look around, you will soon spot people clutching bags of hot and humble delicacies, perfect for snacking on as they walk Seoul's icy streets. From hotteok and steamed corn to roasted chestnuts, there are seemingly endless varieties of winter snacks to help you beat the cold. With temperatures below zero on most days and brisk winds, Korean winters are an ideal time to enjoy some of the nation's most

By Chung Hwang-keun Minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs “Technology changes agriculture and, consequently, the lives of farmers,” said John May, chairman and CEO of John Deere, an American manufacturer of farm machinery and industrial equipment that is drawing the world’s attention for its advanced autonomous farming machines. By implication, he emphasized the necessity of technological innovation in agriculture, going beyond traditional ways of farming, to re

Located in the vibrant area near Jongno 5-ga Station on Subway Line No. 1, Gwangjang Market is Seoul’s flagship marketplace, with a history dating back to 1905 and which still thrives as a popular tourist destination. The market began as a small trading center that brought in goods from nearby regions and grew into a large wholesale market offering a wide variety of goods, including groceries, dried fish and imported and traditional goods, to name a few. Because the eateries inside the lab