• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 2017

To enrich a country's food culture, it is essential that residents understand and care about that culture. Although various efforts to globalize Korean food have been made outside Korea, the importance of understanding Koreans' perception of and increasing interest in Korean food has been neglected. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the cognitive structures regarding Korean food among 30 Koreans living in metropolitan cities using in-depth laddering interviews based on the means-end chain theory. The most dominant cognitive structures toward Korean food were familiarity (attributes), ease of digestion and health (functional consequences), sense of responsibility and will to live (psychosocial consequences), and family affection and sense of achievement (values). In short, Koreans were found to consume Korean food to achieve perceived high-dimensional values rather than simply for its attributes or benefits. These findings have important implications for future strategies and policies aimed at increasing Korean food consumption by Koreans, as they suggest that underlying and symbolic values rather than the attributes of Korean food are more effective in promoting its consumption. Further studies on understanding perceptions and values using a larger Korean population are needed to preserve and further develop Korean food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.614-620
• /
• 2011

This study attempted to identify differences in Korean food consumption behaviors between groups of Japanese consumers segmented in accordance to their food-related lifestyles. This study was performed to provide Korean food service companies basic information to implement a strategy for the globalization of Korean food. As a result of the empirical analysis, the food-related lifestyles of Japanese consumers were deduced to the following four factors: "health and safetyoriented lifestyle", "palate and safety-oriented lifestyle", "economic efficiency-oriented lifestyle", and "simplicity-oriented lifestyle". Further, as a result of the cluster analysis, food-related lifestyles were classified into the following three groups: "a group highly interested in food-related life", "an economic efficiency-oriented group", and "a simplicity-oriented group". Second, there were significant differences in demographic characteristics and the characteristics of Korean food consumption behaviors between the groups. Third, also in a comparison of satisfaction with and loyalty to Korean restaurants with crucial attributes during the selection of Korean food, there were significant differences between the groups. Therefore, it is necessary to develop various Korean food products that will cater to Japanese consumers in accordance with each segmented group.

• The Southeast Asian review
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.49-91
• /
• 2011

Since mid of 1990's Vietnamese food had been advanced in Korea, the franchises and branches of the Vietnam food restaurant remarkably has grown in numbers. It was estimated that the number of Vietnamese food franchise was not less than 30's and the market size of food industry would be around 200 million dollars in Korea. While the interests and study on the globalization of Korean food had been recently increasing, the Southeast Asian food, especially Vietnamese food which had significantly taken place as one kind of food service had few academic approaches to research on the current situation and transition on Vietnamese food in Korea. This study is an experimental attempt to inquire for the Vietnamese food culture and the Vietnamese food in Korea. Through the field research at local(Vietnamese) restaurant, the interviews with the local residents and questionnaire survey on the Vietnamese food from Korean customers, the article examined the 'Southeast Asian Phenomena' in Korea by tracing the origins and pathway how Vietnamese food could be established in Korean food market. In addition, it tries to prove that current growth of Vietnamese food in Korea could be extend and explicated as real 'Vietnamese Phenomena'.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.314-325
• /
• 2014

To contribute to the globalization of Korean food, a Korean food culture publicity event was conducted at Hayabusa Station, Tottori Province, Japan. This study investigated and analyzed recognition and preferences towards Korean food in participants at the event. The method of information acquisition was also analyzed. Most participants had prior experience eating Korean food. As for information, participants responded that they were affected by public media such as dramas, and the most effective way of getting information was participating in lectures. This study also investigated intake of 20 kinds of Korean food and found highest preferences for bibimbap, kimchi, naengmyeon, and galbigui, in that order. The main motive for participating in the Korean food culture publicity event was a desire to experience a new culture. Further, satisfaction, intention to participate, and intention to recommend Korean food were high. These attitudes had significant effects on the intention to visit Korea. In the future, Korean food culture publicity events held in foreign lands can contribute to Korean tourism.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.181-202
• /
• 2001

Recently there is growing concern regarding the service industry in Korea, especially the food service industry. The form of food service industry has become larger and speciallized by means of either implementing marketing programme in individual companies or the entrepreneurs' possesstion of chain stores. As the food service industry has extended throughout the whole of Korea, It has contributed enormously to the regional economy. These phenomena is based on the following facts; the increase in income level, the fast economy growth and change, rapid reform of social structure, and the change in status of the labor population. To meet these changes and reforms the food service industry in Korea has to form a new ideology that takes into account the interaction with globalization, the phenomena of instant-food consumption habit, a general increase in the those who eat-out, the two faces of luxury, and the blending of domestic extravagance and practicality, especially the influence of imported brands on advance technology and system utility on the economic section and style as a whole.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.666-676
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to propose effective marketing communication strategies for overseas Korean restaurants through a multilateral comparison analysis of American, Chinese, and Japanese consumers' attitudes towards communication media and Korean restaurants. The survey was written in English, Chinese, and Japanese, with guideline for surveyors, and conducted using both online and offline methods. Samples were collected from five major cities - Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai, which are the foothold for the globalization of Korean food. When it comes to attitudes towards communication media, word-of-mouth showed a high mean value, indicating it as the most useful and reliable media recognized by consumers who visited Korean restaurants. Furthermore, the necessity of recognizing the importance of visual communication in the physical environment of Korean restaurants and specialized websites, featuring restaurants and gourmet food, was observed. Consumers in all three nations chose word-of-mouth as the most useful and reliable media for learning about Korean restaurants. In addition, American consumers highly depended on signage and restaurant exteriors. Chinese consumers highly recognized the usefulness and reliability of offline media, such as newspapers, magazines, and events, while Japanese consumers considered online media, such as gourmet websites, blogs and social networks, as useful and reliable sources. A significantly positive attitude and high value was observed in all who had visited Korean restaurants. American and Japanese consumers had a significantly higher rate of intention to visit Korean restaurants in the future and to tell others about their satisfaction with Korean restaurants. Meanwhile, the average rate of prior preference for Korean restaurants (when choosing restaurants) was the lowest in all three countries. This study is useful for both the Korean government and food enterprises abroad to plan and develop marketing communication strategies properly for overseas Korean restaurants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2010

To establish a globalization strategy for Korean food, it is important to ascertain foreign consumer's taste preferences and to evaluate their sensory perceptions of Korean food. In concert with previous studies, the most preferred food were Bulgogi and Galbi. However, respondents showed somewhat different preferences for other foods. Chinese and other Asian participants preferred Galbitang and Samgyetang, while Japanese participants preferred Pajeon, Galbitang and Japchae, and Western participants preferred Galbitang, Mandu and Bibimbap. The most preferred condiment was hot pepper paste (the representative condiment of Korea) and the least preferred one was ginger. Hot pepper paste was preferred most by Japanese participants, while Chinese participants tended not to prefer ginger and other Asian participants excepting those from China and Japan disliked vinegar most. Foreign consumers tended to consider Korean food as sweet, salty and very hot. Chinese participants considered Korean food to be 'plain' and 'light and washy' in taste, while Japanese participants considered Korean food to be 'greasy' and 'thick and sticky'. Chinese participants considered typical servings to be inadequate, while Japanese participants considered the servings as excessive.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.457-466
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the dimensions and patterns of the perception of traditional food for Koreans living in Yanbian, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Items representing the perception of traditional food were combined into a dimension and a pattern based on underlying perception of the Koreans living in the area. Any difference in the perception of the Koreans living in these areas likely reflects their different dimensions and patterns. Thus, it is important to determine if Koreans living in Yanbian, Mongolia and Uzbekistan should be treated as a homogeneous group when defining their perceptional structure of traditional food. Factor and cluster analysis of the data generated in this study revealed two different dimensions and patterns for each group of Koreans living in Yanbian, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. However, the structure of the dimensions and patterns of the perception of traditional food differed, indicating that Koreans within and between the countries are not a homogeneous group. Similarities and differences in perceptional dimensions and patterns among Yanbian, Mongolian and Uzbekistan-Koreans are also discussed. Moreover, future implications for food and nutrition specialists, especially for those who have an interest in Korean traditional food in Asia and those who have an interest in globalization of Korean traditional food are provided.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.729-736
• /
• 2008

The study sought ways to promote the global recognition of Korean food items. The Korean cuisine is one of the healthiest and well-balanced in the world. But, in contrast to countries including the United States, France, China, Japan, Thailand and Australia that have adopted food promotion and marketing strategies, Korea lacks a similar strategy. Development of indigenous sauces by Korean food manufacturers and processors is one route in the promotion of Korean cuisine. Korean restaurant franchising could also aid in export of Korean food items. The food manufacturing/processing sectors must work in concert with the Korean government to globalize the Korean cuisine. Brand chefs, Korean cuisine seminars and promotional efforts in foreign countries and foreign cooking schools (such as the 'Taste Korea' campaign) are prudent actions.

• Korean System Dynamics Review
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.105-124
• /
• 2009

The situation of the global food markets has been being rapidly restructured and entering on a new phase by new dynamic and driving forces. The factors such as economic growth and income increase, high energy price, globalization, urbanization, and global climate change are transforming patterns of food consumption, production, and markets. The prices and markets of world food and energy are getting increasingly linked each other. Food and fuel are the global dilemma issues associated with the risk of diverting farmland or of consuming cereals for biofuel production in detriment of the cereals supply to the global food markets. An estimated 100 million tons of grain per year are being redirected from food to fuel. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: Firstly, the study examines situations of the world food and energy resources, analyzes the trends of prices of the crude oil and biofuel, and formulates the food-energy links mechanism. Secondly, the study builds a simulation model, based on system dynamics approach, for not only analyzing the global cereals market and energy market but also forecasting the global production, consumption, and stock of those markets by 2030 in the future. The model of this study consists of four sectors, i.e., world population dynamics sector, global food market dynamics sector, global energy market dynamics sector, scenario sector of world economic growth and oil price.