Korean culture spices up New York this weekend with the first-ever Korean Food Fair USA event.
Hosted by the Korean Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the Korean Food Fair runs through Sunday October 20 and is free to the public. Located at the intersection of Broadway and 49th St in Times Square, over 25 South Korean products are being featured. Visitors can stop by to taste dishes like Bulgogi, Bibimbap and Kimchi, as well as lesser known items such as Soju (liquor), Gochujang (condiment), honey Jujube (Date), ginseng tea, roasted and seasoned seaweed and rice wine.
The Korean Food Fair was kicked off with a private showcase on Friday at The Plaza Terrace Ballroom where experts discussed the growing fascination and increased appreciation for Korean culture and its modern cuisine. Guests were introduced to live performances, a three-course tasting menu and a panel of culinary experts, including culinary instructor and chef Shin Kim and the owner of Kimchi Taco Truck and Kimchi Restaurant, Phillip Lee.
“The dishes that we offer do not adhere to traditional names,” claimed Phillip Lee, continuing to speak on the health benefits found in Korean food. “For example, I have a dish named Spicy Korean Rice Gnocchi in my restaurant. Making the dish recognizable compels customers to try it.”
The Korean Food Fair offers more. Performances from the award-winning group, I Love Dance K-Pop, The New York Korean Tradional Marching Band and the Jazz ensemble Yanghyung Soul Factory make this year’s event even more interesting.
The festival will move its production to Los Angeles on October 22 and 23 where it will wrap up with a one-to-one business matching for the exporters of several products.
To learn more about the festival, visit www.koreanfoodfair.com
-Joseph Amella, Jr.
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