The global hansik symposium ‘Nanro Insight’ will be held on April 29–30 at Leeum Museum of Art. Top chefs and experts from Korea and abroad will gather for a forum on the future of Korean cuisine.
Nanro Foundation (NANRO FOUNDATION, chair: Choi Jung-yoon), a nonprofit society launched to advance industrialization, research and next-generation talent development for Korean cuisine, said on April 4 that it will host the global hansik symposium “NANRO INSIGHT” on April 29 and 30 at Leeum Museum of Art in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Nanro Foundation is a nonprofit led by chef Choi Jung-yoon — head chef of Sempio Woorimat Research Center and Korea-China vice chair of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants (W50B). It began in 2022 as a community that takes its name from the “Nanrohoe” — the meat-grilling gatherings enjoyed by Joseon-era Silhak scholars such as Yeonam Park Ji-won and Dasan Jeong Yak-yong.
Nanrohoe has grown into a leading domestic hansik industry gathering, bringing together Korean chefs, popular restaurant owners and experts from food, traditional liquor, finance, IT, branding, media, art, music, film, construction and other industries to study Korean food culture and discuss industry development. To date, some 300 people have taken part across roughly 40 sessions.
In November last year, the community was formally registered as a nonprofit to advance hansik talent development and global exchange, moving beyond the K-Food wave to secure the long-term global sustainability of the Korean-food industry.
To expand the discussions, research, experiences and cross-industry exchange nurtured through Nanrohoe, the foundation is now holding the global hansik program “NANRO 2024.” Its centerpiece, the global hansik symposium Nanro Insight, examines how Korean cuisine can succeed in world markets. Under the theme “The Future of Gastronomy: Speaking of Hansik,” experts from Korea and abroad will discuss hansik’s global growth potential.
The debut edition of Nanro Insight is expected to draw significant attention, with top chefs and hansik leaders from Korea and abroad taking part. Ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the 2023 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, chef Virgilio Martínez of Central (Peru) and chef Oriol Castro of Disfrutar (Spain) will lead a lineup that also includes Simon Kim, CEO of COTE, the Michelin-starred Korean restaurant in New York; Kim Jong-soon, CEO of JS Holdings, which runs the popular London Korean restaurant YORI; and Song Jung-hun, who runs the global food-entertainment brand Cupbop in the U.S. Each will share their innovation stories and the keys to their success.
From Korea, chefs Cho Eun-hee and Park Sung-bae of Onjium — recently ranked No. 21 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants — will take the stage alongside Park Soo-kyung of Geumdwaeji Sikdang; Jeong Dong-woo, CEO of Meat4popo and the planner behind Mongtan and Sanchung Sutbul Garden; and Han Chung-hee, CEO of UGD, known for the popular “Gum-to-Il Champagne Bar.” They will present and debate the aesthetics, branding and international expansion of traditional Korean cuisine.
Leading figures from academia, industry and the arts will also join. Keynote speaker Prof. Jeong Jae-seung of KAIST’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences will be joined by Park Young-hoon, CEO of The Kit (YouTube channel Korean Englishman); author and “mind-miner” Song Kil-young; Yong Tae-soon, CEO of WAD (CatchTable); author Cho Seung-yeon; Cha Woo-jin of TMI.FM; and Musinsa executive Heo Chul, who will share insights and pursue cross-industry exchange for hansik’s development and globalization.
Tickets for Nanro Insight will go on sale via CatchTable at 5 p.m. on April 4. Attendees may buy either a one-day or a two-day pass.
“Korean food is now enjoying global popularity under the banner of K-Food, and it stands out in the global fine-dining market,” chair Choi Jung-yoon said. “This is the golden time for the Korean-food industry. We will actively work to share the charm and philosophy of traditional hansik with the world, so that Korean cuisine takes its place as one of Korea’s signature products and a high-value business.”
Alongside Nanro Insight, NANRO 2024 will run several private companion events: the NANRO HERITAGE TOUR, in which the Central and Disfrutar chefs will experience Korean fermentation culture with jang master Ki Soon-do and Buddhist chef Jeong Kwan; NANRO GASTRO Powered by SIGNATURE KITCHEN SUITE, a cooking show by Disfrutar; and NANRO VISION, a session with junior Michelin restaurant chefs and culinary students to discuss future talent development. Details will be shared via the foundation’s website after the event.
· Original (Korean): mk.co.kr
