South Korea is a land of vibrant colors, cultural events, and festive excitement. As autumn leaves turn brilliant colors of red and gold, the country comes alive with numerous food festivals that offer a unique glimpse into Korean traditions, arts, and culinary delights.
To showcase these rich traditions, a team of expert Korean chefs recently arrived in London to participate in the UK’s leading food festival, ‘Taste London 2024’. Held every June, this annual festival features renowned chefs from around the world presenting their local cuisines, offering festival-goers a varied and delicious meal.
The Taste of London Food Festival offers foodies and businesses a delightful opportunity to join an extraordinary gastronomic event. Attendees can enjoy exquisite dishes from prestigious restaurants not only in London but around the world, all conveniently gathered in one place. The event is a haven for those keen to explore the flavors of different cultures, with chefs passionately serving their country’s cuisine, making it a truly international feast.
This week, thousands of foodies flocked to London’s Regent’s Park to experience the best of Korean cuisine and culture at the London Food Festival.
Returning for its second appearance at the event, the Taste of Korean Culture Pavilion is an initiative supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Mr. Kwon, Jae Hwan, team manager at the Korea Foundation for Culture and Ethics (KFCE), told the London Post, “Food is the first introduction to culture and how you eat culture, how you understand people.” “I love the curiosity I see when we have a stand. People are so eager to try. They want to learn.”
Mr. Kwon explained that the initiative aims to “showcase our unique and diverse culinary heritage as Korean people.”
With more than 4,000 visitors in the first two days, Ms. Kim Do-eun, executive chef, expressed her delight at the turnout. “We were here last year, and we loved the feel; we loved how warm and welcoming everyone was.”
Following on from the success of 2023, this year’s Korean pavilion is bigger and offers a variety of national and regional cuisines since the festival opened on Wednesday.
Visitors to the pavilion can enjoy live cooking demonstrations, participate in a Korean wine ceremony, or enjoy delicious snacks.
The pavilion also aims to educate visitors about the thousands of ingredients grown across Korea and how they are being used to change lives. “We did a taste of Paris, now London, and we’re just showcasing what we’re doing in the region. Wherever we go, we care a lot about the region and the community, and we always have a taste of the region. try to bring.” For the London event, Ms. Kim Do-eun and her team created several new dishes with her 500-year-old recipe.
Talking about the story of the 500-year-old recipe, he told the London Post that many books were prone to fire in the past, so our ancestors buried countless books underground to protect them. With the passage of time, these buried books were forgotten. However, one day, a major flood occurred in Andong, uncovering the buried books. During this time, 30,000 books were discovered, including Suwon Japbang. After that, our ancestors took great care of this book, and it was passed down from generation to generation, eventually ending up in my possession, including my mother-in-law.
Mr. Cowen commented, “London is a great melting pot of a city. People come from different cultures and different backgrounds. And what better backdrop to showcase food and heritage? We have There’s so much to do, from traditional cuisine to all the high-end restaurants, but honestly, home-cooked traditional food is the best food in the world.”
Visitor Experiences
The London Food Festival has received rave reviews from both local and international visitors. Many are inspired by the sheer variety of food and immersive cultural experiences on offer. Maria, a tourist from Spain, commented, “This festival is an explosion of flavors and colors. I’ve never tasted anything like Korean food.
Local visitors also appreciate the festival’s role in preserving and promoting Korean food traditions. “This festival is a wonderful reminder of our rich heritage. It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and celebrate our food and culture,” said Ji-hoon, a native of Seoul.
The festival atmosphere is often described as lively and welcoming, with a strong sense of community. Families, friends, and solo travelers alike find themselves bonding over shared meals and cultural activities. Vibrant market stalls, the sound of laughter and music, and the sight of chefs at work all contribute to an unforgettable experience.
Note: The above piece was originally published by London Post on June 16, 2024.