• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2010

The purpose of this research was to reveal how Korean food is currently perceived by the "foodies" of New York City and to determine what social status Korean food has in the city that is deemed the "Restaurant Capital of the World." In-depth personal interviews were performed to provide a deeper insight into the comments and subject matters. Most foodies selected kimchi and Korean barbecue as the most distinctive foods in Korean dining. Korean food's distinguishing traits were extracted in four areas: specific ingredients and tools, preparation procedures, and rules. Sensory characteristics, local adaptation, service, side dishes, and the main strengths and short-comings of Korean foods were investigated. Perception toward the taste of Korean food was generally positive, but poor quality of service and lack of organization in establishments were found to be negative factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop an efficient method for Korean food to make inroads into Paraguay. In-depth interviews with 15 Korean restaurant owners in Asuncion, Paraguay and foodies (food experts) who had experiences with Korean food were conducted. The results are as follows: Paraguay wants to establish economic ties with Korea currently, and economic development is ongoing in Paraguay. The food service industry for the middle class in Paraguay is now in the development stage. There are not many Korean restaurants (currently 15) in Asuncion. First and second generation Korean immigrants are operating these restaurants. It is necessary to provide support for a comprehensive food culture system by developing a menu composition system to meet local tastes, a strategy for improving distribution of Korean food materials, and a plan for sanitary management and operations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.199-210
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• 2011

In this study, we compared the differences and similarities between the Korean food culture and the Vietnamese food culture by surveying food resources and researching the process of Korean food being accepted into Vietnam. We suggest countermeasures for advancing Korean food into Vietnam. We conducted in-depth interviews regarding Korean food with Vietnamese food specialists who ate Korean food. As a result, Vietnamese foodies eagerly recognized that the most representative thing about Korean food was the special properties of its various and affluent side dishes. They were also aware of kimchi, made of various vegetables and condiments, as an excellent side dish compared to the Vietnamese who's staple is boiled rice. Furthermore, the flavor of Korean food was preferred by the Vietnamese who were familiar with foods such as Neue-ok-mom or fermented seafood. It was thought that the new food could be eaten with many vegetables. The specialists replied that the most typical functional property of Korean food was health. The acceptance process of Korean food into Vietnam was based on the acculturation theory. That made the Vietnamese easily experienced strange culture in the case of propagation by whom have already experienced, through the selective filter steps by various images of Korea, and made them accept the Korean food through temporary choose and acceptance step such as recommendations by friends. Globalization strategies for Korean food proposed by the Vietnamese foodies were public relations marketing in voluntary contact environments, distinguishing traditional Korean foods through research and development, and globalization by diversifying the Korean restaurant concept.