LA "Bill to Ban Installation of Natural Gas Appliances in Residential and Commercial Buildings Proposed"
Korean-Style BBQ Restaurants Using Gas Expected to Face Sales Impact
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] "Korean food seems sociable" "Chewy but not tough, and tender"
Recently, Son Heung-min appeared on the 'Korean Englishman' YouTube channel with his Tottenham teammates and introduced the 'Korean-style barbecue eating method,' grilling premium Korean beef cuts such as Chadolbagi and Salchisal on a grill, adding sauces like ssamjang, and wrapping them in leafy vegetables.
He said his favorite cut of beef is Salchisal, and when eating Korean-style barbecue, he always likes to dip it in ssamjang and wrap it, calling himself a "ssamjang superfan."
Teammates who tried Korean-style barbecue responded with comments like "It melts in your mouth" and "I usually don't like chewy meat, but dipping it in sesame oil makes it delicious."
As such, 'Korean-style barbecue' has represented Korean food culture alongside Korean fried chicken, kimchi, and bibimbap. The hearty Korean table set with ssamjang, scallion salad, salted oil, lettuce, perilla leaves, radish salad, steamed egg, and soybean paste stew, enjoyed by many people gathered around, is a Korean food culture that celebrities and sports stars alike take pride in.
However, in Los Angeles (LA), USA, a bill is being pushed to mandate electric homes and ban the installation of natural gas-related appliances in residential and commercial buildings, causing concern for Korean-style barbecue restaurants that rely on the 'flame flavor.'
The LA Times reported an article titled 'The end of Korean BBQ in L.A.? What the gas stove ban means for your fave restaurants.'
This is because the LA City Council passed a proposal to ban the installation of natural gas-related appliances in newly constructed residential and commercial buildings in the LA area. Although the proposal has passed, the effective date and scope of application have not yet been specifically determined.
If this proposal is finally legislated, starting as early as next year, all newly built buildings in LA will be prohibited from installing natural gas-related products, and only electric stoves, dryers, water heaters, etc., will be allowed.
Additionally, the use of natural gas-related products in existing buildings, not newly constructed ones, is also problematic, especially for Korean barbecue and Chinese restaurants where gas use is essential for cooking.
If the proposal is legislated, there are concerns about the cost burden of replacing gas products with electric ones and the sales impact due to Korean-style barbecue losing its 'flame flavor.'
In response, food industry insiders are voicing concerns about the LA City Council's measures.
Ryan Park, the general manager of Koreatown Parks BBQ, said, "Portable gas grills are an important part of our Korean food culture," adding, "It relates to the taste of the food and the way the meat is grilled."
Rio, the owner of Rice Box, a Cantonese barbecue restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, said, "All menu items except rice are cooked with gas," and lamented, "The wok itself is truly essential for Asian cuisine. Removing gas means we can no longer use woks, essentially taking away our identity and heritage."
On the other hand, LA city authorities welcome the passage of this ordinance by the city council. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti stated, "The transition to fully electric homes is necessary and will definitely happen," adding, "Our forests are burning, and the weather is getting hotter. To fight the inevitable, collective responsibility and cooperation are required."
Meanwhile, the LA City Council's proposal was jointly introduced by council members Nidia Raman (District 4), Mitch O’Farrell (District 13), Nury Martinez (District 6), Marqueece Harris-Dawson (District 8), and Paul Koretz (District 5).
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