Korean Cuisine Rises Globally After Netflix Hit and APEC Export Boost
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit has opened doors for Korean food exports, with the agriculture minister expressing optimism. Meanwhile, Korean cuisine gained global attention through a Netflix series and a district-hosted cooking class.
In Seoul, a Korean food cooking class held on Oct. 15 by Songpa District introduced gim (dried seaweed) and gimbap, seaweed rice rolls, to participants. This event follows the success of Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' series, which showcased Korean food and culture, drawing international interest.
Seaweed sales, including gim, are projected to reach $1 billion by 2024, contributing significantly to Korean exports. This growth is supported by the increasing global demand for Korean cuisine, as seen in the popularity of the Netflix series and the district's cooking class. Nongshim, a leading food manufacturer, plans to launch a new kimchi-flavored ramyeon, capitalizing on this trend.
On Jan. 26, 2024, fishermen at a pole-and-line seaweed farm off the coast of Aphae-eup, Shinan County, South Jeolla, South Korea, were harvesting seaweed, a key ingredient in many Korean dishes.
The APEC gathering has presented opportunities for Korean food exports, with seaweed and gimbap gaining global recognition. Korean cuisine's popularity, boosted by the Netflix series and cooking classes, is expected to drive further export growth and product innovation, such as Nongshim's upcoming kimchi-flavored ramyeon.
