Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the preference for traditional food of university students through the analysis of their daily meal types. Questionnaires were collected from a total of 197 students from December 2007 to February 2008 in Chungnam Province. The results are as follows; 148 of the respondents (73.0%) prefer Korean traditional meal as their favorite food. The significant differences are found in both gender groups and major groups (p<.05). 178 of the respondents (90.4%) answered that the traditional foods are excellent and good. However, the foods were significantly (p<.05) evaluated that major students consider them to be 'excellent' foods, while non-major students consider them to be 'good' foods. 136 of respondents (69.0%) answered that the traditional foods have beneficial influences on their health. In the survey on intake frequency of traditional meals, 137 of respondents (65.9%) have traditional foods more than twice a day. The ratio of traditional meal intake of male students is a significantly higher level (p<.05) than that of female students. Their preference for traditional rice cake, fermented rice punch, and juice mixed with fruits is a very high level of the average of 4.19, 4.22 and 4.34, respectively. The preference for Kimchi, Bulgoki, boiled beef slices, sundae and jelly was a relatively high level of the average of 4.43, 4.65, 4.14, 4.30, and 4.05, respectively. Concludingly, the research shows the majority of students enjoy korean traditional food and expect Korean food as favorite food to be developed and to be inherited.
