It's fascinating how culture can shape a person's outlook on the world. The Korean culture, also known as K-culture, is currently the latest youth fad. Korean culture appears to be the next major influence, with mouthwatering foods dominating the internet and K-pop enjoying enormous popularity. The consumption of Korean food has dramatically increased in India since the 2020 lockdown, according to the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Korean noodles alone have seen volume increases of 162% in 2020 and 178.0% in 2021.
A boom of Korean standalone restaurants in cities like Chennai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, and Mumbai is feeding the trend of Korean food in India. Customers have increased dramatically in recent years, according to owners of Korean specialty cuisine establishments like Daily Sushi in Bangalore and Sibang and Hahn's Kitchen in Gurugram.
Many people are unaware that K-culture trends or South Korean culture started in the 1980s. South Korea is now recognised as a significant supplier of popular culture. K-dramas were the beginning, followed by K-pop, which swept through East, Southeast, and South Asia like wildfire. Additionally, the connections between K-culture and fast food outlets have helped this culture spread across the nation. For many years, Chinese and Japanese cuisines dominated the Indian food scene. Indians, however, are now prepared for more modern tastes, therefore Korean is providing them with a unique and innovative alternative. Variety is the essence of life, as the proverb goes. The overtone of chiles that permeates everything in Korea—from noodles to sauces to pastes—not only gives the food character but also immensely appeals to Indian palates.
Typically, Koreans enjoy grilled meats with deliciously sour and spicy shreds of cabbage. It is known as kimchi. Kimchi, a type of preserved cabbage that can also be made with other vegetables, is a staple of Korean cuisine. After Korean expatriates advertised their canteens on online food delivery platforms, local requests for meals like Korean fried chicken, Korean-style ramen, Kimchi, gimbap, and kimchi-jjigae began to pour in.
Here are some popular dishes
Your taste buds will enjoy the Korean Fried Chicken with K-Drama influences. This fried chicken is created with a great combination of soy sauce, garlic, and honey and is one of the most popular foods among young people. The chicken wings have an attractive coating and are cooked twice for a crunchy outside. You can serve this dish with a beer called Somaek.
The quick rice dish Bibimap, which is cooked with some meat, rice, exotic vegetables, seasonings, and a fried egg, is another one that has gained popularity thanks to K-series and dramas. A delightful blend of taste and wellness is delivered in a bowl with this mixed rice dish.
For its flavour and distinctive texture, a delectable rolled egg dish, Gyeran Mari, that resembles an omelette has become more popular. The Korean drama Boys Over Flowers had a big impact on the dish's popularity. It goes well with Korean soups and barbecues.
The spicy and fermented kimchi salad is famous for its taste as well as for its health benefits. Pair it with a bowl of ramen or add it to your bowl of mixed rice. Before K-dramas became prominent, this salad gained popularity.
More of a culinary ritual, seaweed soup is typically made and enjoyed on birthdays and other special occasions. Has a tangy, fish-like flavour and is made with Korean ingredients including soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil.
Given everything, it's reasonable to assume that Indians have a far greater appreciation for Korean culture and that this acceptance will only grow in the years to come.