Buzz
The undeniable impact of Korean culture on Vietnamese youth today, especially Korean cuisine. So, what's the reason behind this trend?
One easily observable thing is that Korean restaurants and festivals in Vietnam attract quite a number of customers, especially young people. So, what's the reason for the significant presence of Korean culinary culture in the hearts of Vietnamese youth?
Korean Entertainment Culture: Bridging Korean Cuisine and Vietnamese Youth
The Impact of Entertainment Culture on Vietnamese Youths' Cultural Awareness
Thanks to the strong influence of Korean entertainment culture, Korean cuisine is gradually gaining the affection of Vietnamese youth
'Cultural Export' Strategy and Korean Cuisine as a Representative
South Korea has developed and exported its culture in a systematic and professional manner. It's not difficult to understand why promoting Korean cuisine is a key aspect of cultural export. Through serious investment and strong promotion of its culinary heritage, Korean cuisine has become famous and is known to various segments of society through annual Korean culinary cultural festivals, television programs, Korean food-focused movies, etc.
Korean cuisine flourishes alongside the Korean community living in Vietnam
One way to introduce Korean cuisine is through dishes brought by the Korean community to Vietnam. The Korean community living, working, and studying in Vietnam is growing, with many Korean-owned companies, factories, and industrial parks established nationwide, forming Korean residential communities. Consequently, restaurants catering to Koreans and Vietnamese are becoming more common.
The increasing Korean community in Vietnam leads to the expansion of the Korean cuisine market
Social media mukbang videos featuring Korean cuisine
Mukbang is a blend of the Korean words 'muk' (eating) and 'bang' (broadcast). This trend emerged in Korea over a decade ago. It's an extremely popular video genre nowadays, easily found on social media platforms like Facebook or YouTube. Viewers seek out these mukbang videos for comfort and relaxation as they listen to the sound of broadcasters eating. Some young people find it fascinating to see food laid out fully on the table, and these videos gradually stimulate curiosity, making viewers crave Korean dishes.
Finding a mukbang video featuring Korean food on social media is not difficult
The richness and variety of Korean cuisine
Distinctive Characteristics of Korean Cuisine: Korean cuisine is characterized by its seasonal and regional variations. South Korea's natural abundance results in a rich variety of ingredients, each season offering its own specialties. Through their creativity, Koreans transform simple, readily available ingredients into dishes that garner admiration from all who taste them. Each region boasts its own unique delicacies. Therefore, travelers across South Korea can indulge in local specialties wherever they go, always experiencing new and exciting flavors without ever getting bored.
Korean cuisine distinctly reflects the seasons
Diverse and Beautifully Crafted Dishes: Korean cuisine offers a wide range of dishes, each exquisitely prepared with a flexible and varied approach to seasoning and cooking. Koreans often follow the principle of 'eumyangohaeng,' harmoniously combining 5 types of ingredients with 5 different colors and 5 types of seasonings. When selecting cooking ingredients, they ensure they meet the 'yaksikdongwon' criteria, meaning they are both healthy and naturally available.
Korean dishes are always nutritious and have a distinct depth of flavor
Traditional Korean cuisine is not about eating individual dishes separately, but rather serving them all at once. Therefore, dishes are prepared before being presented on the table. This is why Korean dining tables are often filled with a variety of different, enticing, and colorful dishes.
Korean cuisine emphasizes beautiful and impressive presentation to dispel the monotony that everyday dishes may bring.
A notable feature is the preference for fresh, healthy foods. Korean cuisine favors fresh produce and green vegetables. Koreans also lean towards using protein from quality meats such as poultry and fish rather than red meat. From main courses to side dishes and desserts, all dishes are prepared simply to let the ingredients truly shine.
Whether it's a simple meal or an elaborate feast, Korean cuisine always leaves a lasting impression on the palate of those who enjoy it.
Given all the reasons mentioned above, it's easy to understand why Korean cuisine has such a strong influence on Vietnamese youth. Nowadays, dishes like kimchi, kimbap, black bean noodles, fish cakes, grilled meat, tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken, etc., are no longer unfamiliar. Korean cuisine not only offers visual novelty but also introduces fresh colors while maintaining a semblance of familiarity with Vietnamese palates. However, due to differences in taste preferences between Koreans and Vietnamese, many Korean dishes are adapted to suit the palates of diners.
