How easily is Korean food available in Dubai?
There are about 5,000 Koreans and 130 Korean companies including Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia in Dubai. With the growing Korean community and increasing interest in Korean culture, the Korean food market in Dubai is also growing. There are more than ten Korean restaurants and some are trying to expand.
First came K-pop; now, get ready for K-food as Korean cuisine attracts more gourmets.
What makes Korean food so attractive?
A traditional Korean saying states that there is no better medicine than food. With its natural ingredients and slow-cooking method, Korean food is in harmony with the current aspiration for healthy lifestyles.
How do you describe typical K-food?
I believe that kimchi, without a doubt, is the most basic side dish. It is made by pickling vegetables, preserving and fermenting them.
Traditionally, around the onset of winter, Koreans collectively made a large quantity of kimchi to eat between winter and spring. This is what we call kimjang, which allows Koreans to practise the spirit of sharing among neighbours. Recently kimjang was included in the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What is your favourite Korean dish?
I like bibimbap, which means mixed rice. Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chilli pepper paste). A raw or fried egg and sliced meat are common additions. Some places will serve this dish cooked in a hot stone bowl, which preserves the temperature and keeps the food hot. This version is called a dolsot bibimbap.
Is the Korean Consulate looking to host any events in Dubai to popularise Korean food?
When I go to another country, one of the first things I do is to try local food. Food can help us understand different cultures without a lengthy explanation. I recommend non-Koreans try Korean food, even though they might not be familiar with it.
To provide opportunities to learn about Korea, the Korean Consulate in Dubai is planning a Korea Week Festival next year, which will include K-pop, a traditional concert, a food event and seminars on economic development.
