Korean food is a reflection of a rich and profound tradition and culture. This food is made with traditional Korean ingredients or other similar ingredients, using authentic cooking methods. Each dish has its own historical and cultural characteristics, and has grown and been inherited through the life of the Korean people.

Korean food culture is heavily influenced by certain traditions and rules, which are reflected from variations in servings to food prepared for special occasions. Each meal has a symbolic meaning and a deep good prayer for those who enjoy it. One of the most prominent examples is seaweed soup, or miyeok-guk given on a birthday.

Miyeok-guk is traditionally presented on a birthday as a form of tribute and gratitude to the mother who gave birth. Seafood is chosen because it is rich in nutrients and is believed to help recover after childbirth. Therefore, when someone celebrates birthdays, they consume miyeok-guk as a way to remember and honor their mother, as well as pray for health and longevity. Besides, miyeok-guk is also often served to newborn mothers to help post-partum recovery.

Miyeok-guk, not only a culinary dish, but also a means of conveying hopes, prayers, and values of life that are profound in Korean culture. This tradition shows how food can play an important role in deepening social ties and strengthening family and community bonds.

One characteristic feature of Korean cuisine is fermented food, which allows food to be stored and eaten for long periods of time. Examples of well-known fermented foods are soya pasta (doenjang), salt cheese (ganjang), pepper pasta (gochujang), salt fish, and kimchi. Kimchi, in particular, is a must-have dish in every Korean dish, with a special spice that adds a spicy taste when eaten.

Korean culinary culture is also heavily influenced by the Hallyu or Korean Wave phenomenon, which began in the mid-2010s and continues to develop to this day. The popularity of Korean media content such as drama, movies, and K-Pop music, supported by advances in technology and social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, has helped spread Korean food culture around the world. Korean dramas often feature copies of Korean culinary culture, which attracts an international audience to try and learn more about Korean food.

With very rapid media development, a lot of content creators introduce Korean food in a unique way. One trend popularized by Korea is mukbang, a format in which one eats in large quantities while interacting with the audience online. Mukbang has become a global trend, increasing demand and consumption of Korean cuisine significantly.

Mukbang, a phenomenon originating in Korea, has gained significant global popularity in recent years. The term comes from a combination of the words “muk-ja” (먹자) which means “come to eat” and “bang-song” (방송) that means “transmission”. The concept is to eat large amounts of food while doing live broadcasts or videos uploaded online. This phenomenon not only entertains the audience by watching others eat, but also involves active interaction between consumers and viewers through comments and chats.

It was originally started in Korea as a response to the trend of loneliness and the desire to unite people in a virtual community. This content often displays very large portions of food or food that is unique and visually attractive. Eaters often use high-quality microphones to enhance the noise of food feeds, adding an audiovisual experience to the audience.

The development of Korean food culture is not only limited to tradition and media, but also involves innovation in creating new dishes. One interesting example of innovation is Korean fried chicken. Although fried poultry is an American food, Korea has adapted it by adding special sauces that are tailored to local tastes, such as sweet and spicy sauces.

Korean food culture is a blend of tradition, uniqueness, and innovation. With the influence of the environment, seasons, and cultures, as well as the support of the Hallyu phenomenon and technological developments, Korean food has grown into one of the most valued culinary cultures in the world. Through taste-rich dishes and stories behind each dish, Korean food not only satisfies tastes, but also provides insights into the history and life of Korean people.