McDonald’s and Burger King launched handmade burger offerings following the trend. (image: McDonald’s)
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — In the past decade, the food service industry has gone through significant change.
Food that was once a huge success disappeared suddenly, and old favorites reappeared out of nowhere.
The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. recently published a report outlining popular dishes and trends in the restaurant market for the 10 years starting in 2010.
According to the report, handmade burgers, which were popular in 2010 and 2011, helped upgrade the perception of hamburgers, which were perceived as junk food, to part of a so-called well-being diet.
Fast food stalwarts such as McDonald’s and Burger King launched handmade burger offerings as well, following the trend.
With the popularity of Korean dramas, traditional alcoholic beverage “makgeolli” has also drawn attention as a new player for K-food.
There were also scenes of people enjoying makgeolli in glass pots at terraced tables with a refined atmosphere, not shabby traditional taverns.
In 2015, low-priced coffee brands including Ediya coffee started to compete with premium brands.
Two years later, corn dogs, a surprise success in the restaurant industry, and the rediscovery of Vietnamese food were the talk of the town.
Once considered cheap junk food, hot dogs have been reborn as expensive snacks with high quality sausages, cheeses and various sauces.
Vietnamese food also enjoyed a second heyday as diverse dishes such as bun cha and stir-fried water spinach became more popular than rice noodles.
This year, Taiwanese-style sandwiches and black sugar bubble tea have emerged as a new trend.
The spicy taste of mala sauce, which has become popular around the world, is also rapidly spreading in the commercial districts frequented by 20- and 30-somethings, including Hongdae and Itaewon.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
