• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.801-807
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• 2007

The objectives of this study were to develop Korean dishes acceptable for quick-service Korean food restaurant franchising operations in the U.S. and to test consumer preferences of 6 Korean dishes developed. One hundred American consumers evaluated beef(Bulgogi), pork(Jeyuk-bokkeum), chicken(Dagkalbi), noodles with seasoned vegetables(Japchae), braised tofu(Dubujorim), and stir-fried kimchi (Kimchi-bokkeum). Consumer preferences for color and aroma of the three dishes(Bulgogi, Jeyuk-bokkeum and Dagkalbi) were not different with most indicating they liked these attributes. Bulgogi was preferred over Dagkalbi and Jeyuk-bokkeum was least acceptable. Consumers rated the flavor of the Bulgogi from a little too mild to just right while both the Dagkalbi and Jeyuk-bokkeum were rated from just right to too strong. Overall acceptance was inversely related to spiciness. Bulgogi and Dagkalbi were ranked significantly higher than Jeyuk-bokkeum with Bulgogi receiving a slightly higher score. Overall acceptance was higher for the Japchae than the Kimchi-bokkeum. Dubujorim was intermediate and not preferred or disliked more than either of the others. Consumers rated the flavor of the Japchae and the Dubujorim higher than the Kimchi-bokkeum, indicating that the flavor of the Kimchi-bokkeum was too strong. Almost half indicated both the Dubujorim and Kimchi-bokkeum were slightly or much too hot. The Japchae and the Dubujorim were ranked equally high and significantly higher than the Kimchi-bokkeum. We suggest that control of spiciness is a main factor to develop Korean dishes acceptable for quick-service Korean food restaurant franchising operations in the U.S.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2006

Sensory factors are important determinants of appetite and food choices but little is known about factors affecting taste acuity and preference of Koreans. Any factors causing deficits in sweet taste perception may lead to over consumption of simple sugar, which is related to several chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine factors affecting sweet taste sensitivity and preference. Subjects were 30 government employees who were serving as school dietitians or in the area of public health while they were studying in the program for the qualification to become nutrition teachers. Sweet taste threshold and the optimally-preferred sweetness of omija jelly were determined by a sensory evaluation and general characteristics, health-related lifestyles, dietary habits and food preferences were determined using a self-administered questionnaire. For the subjects of this study, detection threshold concentration of sucrose solution was $0.184{\pm}0.06%$ and optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly was $13.88{\pm}2.28%$ and there was no significant correlation between the sweet taste sensitivity and preference. Subjects who had higher(${\ge}4$ out of 10) physical or psychological stress and who had late getting-up time (after 7am) tended to have lower sweet taste threshold (higher sensitivity) than their counterpart. The sweet taste preference determined by optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly tended to be lower in the subjects who eat slowly. Those who answered in the questionnaire to prefer sweet foods did have significantly higher optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly. Further research is required to determine whether decreased sensitivity and increased preference for sweetness can increase the actual intake of simple sugar. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 107 -113, 2006)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Food is essential for sustenance and reflects a country's identity, making it crucial to identify the cultural needs for effectively localizing Korean food. This study surveyed 825 adults from four continents (eight countries) to examine their preferences, familiarity, and attitudes toward Korean food. Significant correlations(p< .001) were found between the familiarity and preference for Korean food, with variations observed across continents. Among the representative Korean food items, the average preference score was 4.67, and the purchase/recommendation intention score was 4.88. Seven items received above-average ratings (e.g., gogi-deopbap and kimchi-bokkeumbap), while some items showed high liking but low purchase/recommendation intention (e.g. dak-jjim and galbi-jjim). In addition, items such as gimbap and tteokbokki had high purchase/recommendation intention but low liking, and kimchi and vegetable foods etc. received low liking and purchase/recommendation intentions. In terms of the preferred meat according to the cooking method and seasoning, beef respondents preferred grilled·stir-fried and soup·stew·hot pot cooking methods, while pork or chicken respondents preferred grilled·stir-fried and frying methods. Soy sauce was the most preferred seasoning for all meat responses, followed by red pepper paste. These research findings provide fundamental data for developing Korean food products, segmented by continent.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.118-127
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to know about the influence of consumers' knowledge level(expert vs novice) on their behavioral intentions by the storytelling about local foods. Reviewing previous storytelling studies related to local foods containing each region's traditional food culture in Korea, it can identify that most studies focused on the necessity of storytelling, the discovery of story materials, the importance of storytelling for food tour. Therefore, this study tried to know about how the storytelling about local foods influenced on the consumers' behavioral intentions, and set the attributes of storytelling and the consumers' local food-purchasing region as adjustable variances. Finally, in case that the consumers' knowledge level was low and their food-purchasing regions were not same, this study suggested the attributes of most preferred storytelling by consumers. By doing so, this study tried to discover the storytelling skills of local foods representing each region or to suggest a method to increase the cultural values of each local food in case of creating a story about the local food.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.534-544
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the fast food consumption patterns classified by age in Busan. The survey was conducted from October 15 to November 15, 2006 by questionnaires and data analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows: Forty one point five percent of the elementary group, 40.5% of the high school group, 24.1% of the 30's, 35.0% of the 40's and 18.1% of the 50's took fast foods over once a week. Seventy two point five percent of the elementary group, 61.5% of the high school group, 16.8% of the 30's group, 10.0% of the 40's, and 14.6% of the 50's preferred fast foods. There was a significant difference in the basis for selecting menus among the groups. The most important basis for selecting menus was 'price' in the elementary group and the high school group, but was 'preference' in the adult groups. As their age increased, they spend more money for fast food. Forty six percent of the elementary group and 49.5% of the high school group, 32.1% of the 30's, 36.5% of the 40's, 34.7% of the 50's thought that fast food can substitute for a meal. The age affected significantly the substitutability for the meal of the fast food (p < 0.001). In the high school group, the ratio of skipping breakfast is higher than in the other age groups. Dietary attitude has direct effects on the preference of the fast foods. Nutrition knowledge, degree of unbalanced diet and obesity rate have direct and indirect effects which were mediated by dietary attitude. Nutrition knowledge showed the greatest total causal effect in relation to the preference of the fast foods. Therefore, nutrition education for the subjects is needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 2008

This study was designed to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary problems of obese elementary students consuming unbalanced diets. Blood parameters, body-image perceptions, taste preferences, and nutrient intakes of 40 obese elementary students with unbalanced diets were compared to those of 40 additional obese elementary students as a control. The averages for age, height, weight, and obesity index were 11.5 years, 142.0 cm, 51.0 kg, and 35.4% in the study group and 11.8 years, 144.0 cm, 53.5 kg, and 36.3% in the control group, respectively. The major disliked foods by the students in the study group were vegetables (65%) particularly Kimchi (15%), as well as fish(15%), and pulses (10%). Mean serum cholesterol, blood glucose, GOT/GPT, and hemoglobin levels were 175.1 mg/dL, 89.2 mg/dL, 24.1/18.9 IU/L, and 14.3 g/dL in the study group and 182.8 mg/dL, 91.3 mg/dL, 28.3/33.9 IU/L, and 14.7 g/dL, in the control group, respectively. Approximately 60${\sim}$80% of the subjects responded that they eat a meal everyday, and the remainder skipped at least one meal. The preference for salty tasting foods was significantly lower in the study group, but the preference for hot tasting food was higher as compared to the obese control group(p<0.05, p<0.05). The daily energy intakes of the study and control groups were 1,768.3 kcal and 1,572.7 kcal, respectively, but there was no significant differences between them. Daily intakes of animal protein, fat, animal fat, and vitamin $B_2$ were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. In conclusion, this study found that obese children consuming unbalanced diets strongly disliked vegetables, particularly Kimchi, as well as hot tasting foods; however, they preferred salty foods. Daily intakes of animal protein and fat were higher in the study group as compared to obese children not consuming unbalanced diets.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.927-938
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• 2008

The principal objective of this study was to identify the dietary and physical activity patterns of obese preschoolers, and to determine the association between child obesity and mother's' dietary habits or thoughts regarding dieting/weight. This is a cross-sectional, community based study, and 305 preschoolers who attended kindergarten in Seoul and its surrounding area were selected. The measurements of dietary habits both in preschoolers and their mothers, physical activities of preschoolers, and daily servings of foods were based on parents' self report. Weight and height were used to calculate WLI (weight length index) in preschoolers and BMI (body mass index) in their mothers. The subjects were divided into two groups 245 normal weight preschoolers (including underweight 15.1% and normal weight 65.6%) and 59 obese subjects (overweight 14.4% and obese 4.9%). With regard to dietary habits in normal and obese preschoolers, we noted significant differences in 5 questions, such as mostly eating heavy meals, one serving size, eating speed, overeating, and obsession about eating. No differences in daily servings of major foods and snacks, except fruits and potatoes, were noted between normal and obese children. Among 13 questions regarding mothers' dietary habits, only 3 questions-"preferred to instant foods", "finish meals within 15 minutes", "use nutritional information for selecting foods" were significantly different between normal and obese subjects. The total scores of mothers' dietary habits was significantly and negatively correlated with number of mother's dieting experiences or mother's BMI, but was not correlated with preschooler's obesity.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.164-173
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to determine the preferences and consideration factors for selecting processed foods, in middle school students as well as their perceptions on food and nutrition labeling student. Middle school students in the Seoul area were surveyed from October to November, 2006. The results are summarized as follows: the preferred processed foods included 'drinks' (3.85), 'noodles' (3.81), 'biscuits and bread' (3.80), 'milk and dairy products' (3.71), and 'meat and meat products' (3.60). The most important consideration factors in selecting processed foods were 'expiration date' (4.45), 'taste' (4.34), and 'price' (4.08). The two main reasons for eating processed foods were 'delicious' (43.1%) and 'convenient' (33.9%). Food labels were identified 'sometimes' (34.5%), 'rarely' (31.2%), and 'almost never' (18.6%). The primary reason for examining a food label was 'to confirm the expiration date' (52.6%). The main reason for not reviewing a food's label was 'habitual purchase' (57.8%). Nutrition labels were identified 'rarely' (33.4%), 'almost never' (24.7%), and 'sometimes' (23.5%). The reasons for examining nutrition labels included 'to confirm a high proportion of nutritive substances' (26.5%), 'boredom' (24.2%), 'for weight control' (23.5%), and 'to improve health' (18.1%). The main reason for not examining a food's nutrition label was 'not interested' (56.5%).

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.313-319
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• 2005

This survey was conducted in order to obtain the basic data for desirable consumption habits through investigation and analysis of university students' fast food consumption behaviors. Questionnaires were collected from a total of 374 male and female students living in big or small and medium-sized cities in August, 2004. The contents surveyed were utilization and expenses of fast foods, choice of fast foods, relationship between fast foods and a diet, and characteristics of fast food restaurants. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The ratio of the surveyees varied according to gender, residence, and the size of a city they're living in. For example, males took up 48.66% of the surveyees, while females did 51.34%. The ratio of residents in apartments and stand-alone houses was 54.81% and 45.19% each. 47.33% of the respondents were living in big cities, while 52.67% of them in small and medium-sized cities. 2. 70.1% of the surveyees responded that they are with friends when having fast foods. There was a highly significant difference between male and female in the type of eating companions (p<0.001). The average number of days that they eat fast foods was 1 to 2 times a week, which accounted for 63.7% of the respondents. However, in the case of eating foods, there was no significant differences between two sexes. 3. 64.2% of the surveyees paid more than 20,000 won to buy fast foods for a week, which showed no significant differences between genders. They tend to split a bill, rather than one person pays all. There was a highly significant difference between genders in paying method (p<0.001). 4. 52.1 % of the respondents chose a menu themselves. Their most favored food was chickens (26.5%), which showed a statistically significant difference between genders (p<0.001). 46.8% of them preferred coke as a drink, which had no significant difference between genders. 42.2% of the surveyees had fast foods between lunch and dinner, which also had no significant difference between genders. The most important factor in choosing a menu was its taste (62.8%), which indicated a significant difference between males and females (p<0.05). 5. The preference to fast foods was due to the influence of western culture (36.4%) and eating-out habits (29.1%), which was significantly different between genders (p<0.05). Those who eat fast foods answered they have normal weight and normal body type (49.5%). 24.3% of them were relatively fat with significant difference between genders (p<0.05). 63.4% of the surveyees thought themselves not picky with foods, and there was a significant difference between genders (p<0.05). 78.3% of them mostly preferred franchise restaurants because they are convenient and cheap.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.12 no.2 s.29
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• pp.222-235
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• 2006

Herbs have unique tastes and flavors, and they have been used in western foods. This study used herbs to make cookies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensory characteristics of cookies with rosemary(1, 2, 3, 4%) and mints(1, 2, 3, 4%) after foretasting herbs. The sample of this study was 880 college students which consisted of 436 males and 444 females. The results of this study were as follows. This study was conducted to find a high quality product through a sensory test with rosemary and mints. First, in terms of foretasting experience, the respondents had tasted 12 herbs. 65.2% of them preferred parsley, followed by mint(45.2%), bay leaf(44.0%), rosemary(28.3%), basil(21.8 %), etc. Second, in terms of the most important items while making herb added to bread and cookies, taste was high with 45.8%, flavor 27.3%, price 10.1%, nutrition 8.5%, etc. There were significant differences between genders and among majors(p<0.001). Third, it was found that appearance was high with 2% added group(M=6.00) in terms of sensory preference. The flavors, tastes, texture, overall acceptability were high with 1% added group in terms of sensory preference of cookies with rosemary. The respondents showed low preference for cookies with mints. While the 1% added mint group showed the highest preference for appearances and texture, the control group showed the highest preference for flavors, tastes and overall acceptability. There was a significant difference in appearances and tastes on all samples except colors and taste of rosemary added cookies $(p<0.05{\sim}p<0.001)$. Fourth, males preferred 2% rosemary added one in appearances and tastes in a sensory test. They preferred the 1% rosemary added group in terms of flavors, texture, and overall acceptability. Females preferred appearances of cookies with 2% rosemary and also preferred flavors, tastes, texture and, overall acceptability with 1% rosemary. Both of them less preferred 4% mint added one. Overall, this study found that respondents preferred 1% rosemary herb cookies. There should be further researches with less than 1% mint to make herb cookies.