Korean cuisine has continued to gain worldwide popularity since the early 2010s, and almost half of the respondents in a survey on Korean cultural contents in 2022 stated that Korean food was very popular in their country. According to the same source, Korean food was also moderately popular with approximately 27 percent of respondents answering that way.
What does Korean cuisine consist of?
Korean cuisine traditionally consists of rice, vegetables, meat and a variety of side dishes (banchan). The most commonly known Korean side dish is Kimchi which is traditionally served with every meal. The modern Korean food sector also includes convenience foods, such as pre-packaged meals and instant noodles. The food market size in South Korea has continuously grown over the last years at a steady pace, with only a small decline in 2014 since 2012.
Overseas popularity
Overseas popularity has risen due to different factors, Hallyu (the Korean Wave) being one of them. This led to the heightened export value of Korean food, which does not only include fresh food and agricultural products, but also health functional, canned, and other processed foods, such as snacks and ready-to-cook food. For example, South Korean CJ Cheiljedang’s Bibigo Mandu overseas sales have reached an all-time high.
Popularity of South Korean cuisine worldwide in 2022
Characteristic
Share of respondents
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people who experienced South Korean cultural content
Method of interview
Online panel
Supplementary notes
*This survey was conducted in the following countries: China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Australia, Vietnam, United States, Brazil, Argentina, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey, UAE, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Germany, Canada, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Africa.
Original question: "How popular do you think is the South Korean cuisine in your country at the moment?"
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Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (March 10, 2023). Popularity of South Korean cuisine worldwide in 2022 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/999304/south-korea-korean-food-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Popularity of South Korean cuisine worldwide in 2022." Chart. March 10, 2023. Statista. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/999304/south-korea-korean-food-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. (2023). Popularity of South Korean cuisine worldwide in 2022. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/999304/south-korea-korean-food-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. "Popularity of South Korean Cuisine Worldwide in 2022." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 Mar 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/999304/south-korea-korean-food-popularity-worldwide/
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Popularity of South Korean cuisine worldwide in 2022 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/999304/south-korea-korean-food-popularity-worldwide/ (last visited June 18, 2024)
Popularity of South Korean cuisine worldwide in 2022 [Graph], Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, March 10, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/999304/south-korea-korean-food-popularity-worldwide/