Korean Cuisine Gains Global Popularity Through New Restaurants and Cultural Exports

Korean cuisine continues its global rise in popularity, with new restaurant concepts like SOOM in London emphasizing communal dining and a refined Korean BBQ experience. The K-food wave is bolstered by the international availability of traditional ingredients such as kimchi and gochujang, and the success of brands like Samyang's Buldak ramen, which owes part of its popularity to social media and young consumers. At events like the APEC summit in Korea, local specialties like Nongshim's Shin Ramyun and barley bread are showcased to international visitors, helping spread Korean food culture. Korean palace cuisine, a historically significant yet lesser-known subset of Korean culinary tradition, is gaining renewed attention through popular media such as Netflix's "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty," which highlights its cultural and ritualistic importance. Meanwhile, foreign tourists are increasingly drawn to everyday Korean meals and snacks like ramen, gimbap, and convenience store foods, reflecting a shift from traditional iconic dishes toward more accessible and widely consumed Korean fare. Social media platforms, especially Instagram, play a crucial role in this trend, amplifying the appeal of Korean daily meals and transforming Korea's image in food tourism.