The nonprofit Nanro Foundation will host the global hansik symposium “Nanro Insight” on April 29–30 at Leeum Museum of Art in Yongsan, Seoul. The event examines how Korean cuisine can succeed in the world market, inviting experts across sectors from Korea and abroad to discuss hansik’s global growth potential.
The inaugural edition draws significant interest, with top chefs and hansik leaders from Korea and abroad taking part. Chef Virgilio Martínez of Peru’s Central, ranked No. 1 on the 2023 World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and chef Oriol Castro of Spain’s Disfrutar, ranked No. 2, will attend. They are joined by Simon Kim, CEO of the Michelin-starred Korean restaurant COTE in New York; Kim Jong-soon, CEO of JS Holdings and owner of the popular London Korean restaurant YORI; and Song Jung-hun, who runs the global food-entertainment brand Cupbop in the U.S. Each will present their innovation stories and share their keys to 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 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, working to advance cross-industry exchange for hansik’s development and globalization.
“Korean food is drawing attention in the global fine-dining market of late,” said Choi Jung-yoon, chair of Nanro Foundation. “We will actively work to share the charm and philosophy of traditional hansik with the world so that Korean cuisine takes its place as a high-value business.”
Tickets for Nanro Insight will go on sale via CatchTable at 5 p.m. on April 4.
· Original (Korean): mk.co.kr
