Korean Food Biden Finished Completely... Selected Personally by Chairman Shin Dong-bin

Gujeolpan at Lotte Hotel Seoul Mugunghwa.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lotte Hotel announced on the 26th that it successfully completed the catering for the Korea-US summit dinner between U.S. President Joe Biden and President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 21st.

According to Lotte Hotel, the concept of this dinner was based on the traditional Korean five cardinal colors?yellow, blue, white, red, and black?and the menu was composed of traditional Korean dishes using American ingredients. It embodied the idea of ‘Jeguposhin (除舊布新)’, meaning removing the old and spreading the new, as well as the wish for harmony and prosperity.

Additionally, the menu introduced representative local specialties from various regions while harmoniously blending Korean and American ingredients and cooking methods.

For appetizers, five types of cold dishes featuring seasonal ingredients from across the country were prepared, including black sesame tofu slices, Hoengseong deodeok salad, and Geumsan ginseng vegetable rolls.

The popular menu from Mugunghwa, the Korean restaurant at Lotte Hotel Seoul, also appeared at the dinner. Soongchae dumplings, made by stuffing boiled Haenam cabbage with vegetables and seafood, symbolized mutual respect and inclusion between the two countries.

Premium U.S. beef ribs were marinated in soy sauce, a traditional Korean method, and cooked at low temperature to create marinated grilled short ribs. Also prepared was sanchae bibimbap, a representative traditional Korean dish symbolizing harmony and fusion through its colors, flavors, seasons, regions, nature, and humanity coming together.

For dessert, jelly made with American nuts and oranges, rice cake made from Icheon rice, and finally omija hwachae (five-flavor berry punch) concluded the meal.

The Korean menu was personally selected by Chairman Shin Dong-bin, and Lotte Hotel reported that President Biden finished every appetizer and dessert without leaving anything on his plate.

Meanwhile, at Mugunghwa in Lotte Hotel Seoul, a variety of traditional Korean dishes reinterpreted in a modern way are offered, including traditional jeonbyeong (Korean pancakes) and red bean drinks that captivated President Biden’s palate, along with the Icheon rice cake served as dessert.

Lotte Hotel stated, “The solid know-how accumulated over more than 40 years of hosting national events and operating Mugunghwa, the Korean restaurant with the longest history among domestic hotel Korean restaurants, was a key factor in the success of this dinner.” They added, “The expertise and passion of the Lotte Hotel banquet team chefs, who have over 30 years of experience, shone brightly.”