Korean food popularity worldwide 2021

Korean cuisine has continued to gain worldwide popularity since the early 2010s, and roughly 30 percent of respondents in a survey on Korean cultural contents in 2021 stated that Korean food was very popular in their country. According to the same source, Korean food was also moderately popular with approximately 25 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.