More than 100 South Korean food companies joined a food fair in Chiba, Japan, on Tuesday as Korean food is regaining popularity here helped by the growing popularity of “hallyu.” (Image: Yonhap)
TOKYO, March 6 (Korea Bizwire) — More than 100 South Korean food companies joined a food fair in Chiba, Japan, on Tuesday as Korean food is regaining popularity here helped by the growing popularity of “hallyu.”
South Korea’s exports of food items to Japan surpassed the US$2 billion mark last year, the highest since 2012, when Korean pop culture was at its peak.
Hallyu, or the Korean wave, refers to the Asiawide popularity of Korean music, TV dramas and films that have also influenced demand for goods and services abroad.
As many as 117 South Korean processed food firms are showing off their products at Foodex Japan 2018 until Friday in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp., a ministry official said.
More than 80,000 businesspeople from about 80 countries are expected to take part in the fair, the largest of its kind in Asia, the official added.
South Korean companies are showing off kimchi, the traditional Korean side dish made from cabbage, radishes and hot peppers, as well as ginseng, various flowers, and fishery and forestry products.
Visitors can also experience cooking demonstrations and Korean food tastings.
(Yonhap)
