The rapid globalization of Korean food has extended to street food, widening the scope of Korean exports of farmed goods and food throughout Asia.

With the rising popularity of Korean culture, travel and food, the nation is seeing a growing number of foreign visitors who have already tried out authentic street foods like tteokbokki and hotteok.

“A country’s street food fully reflects its unique culture and trends, not to mention affordable prices, making significant channels to raise the foreign visitors’ awareness about authentic Korean cuisine,” said an official of Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp., or aT. 

AT expected the rising popularity of authentic Korean street foods will boost Korean export of agricultural goods to the Chinese and Cantonese food markets. Korea’s outbound sales to Hong Kong hit $405.7 million last year, up 5.9 percent from a year earlier.

Earlier in May, aT participated in the 16th HOFEX, Asia’s leading food and hospitality trade show biennially held in Hong Kong, to showcase Korea’s most popular street foods. Local and international visitors flocked to taste the tteokbokki, kimchi jeon, freshly cooked with healthy Korean vegetables, fish cakes and spices.

“Just like other authentic Korean foods, Korean street foods require healthy ingredients that are grown from healthy soil,” a food expert advised.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)