"Single-Person Households Gather to Learn Cooking and Communicate Together"

Program for Healthy Eating Habits and Social Network Building for Middle-Aged and Older Single-Person Households
Group Activities Including Learning Delicious and Simple Recipes, Traditional Market Outings, etc.

The 1-Person Household Support Center in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) has been selected for the Seoul City 1-Person Household Social Dining Contest project for two consecutive years and will operate the "Happy Table" program again this year to promote healthy eating habits and social network formation among middle-aged and older single-person households.

"Happy Table" is a tailored cooking class program designed for the middle-aged generation to help maintain nutritional balance, providing participants with opportunities to cook and dine together, thereby helping to alleviate social isolation.

The regular classes consist of ▲ "Cooking Class" using eco-friendly, seasonal, and herbal ingredients ▲ "Social Dining" where participants taste food and exchange information, running once a week for four weeks per session.

Special classes held every other month include programs that enhance participant interaction and interest, such as outings to Gyeongdong Market, making holiday foods, and cooking competitions.

In particular, Dongdaemun-gu leverages local characteristics such as Yakryeong Market to operate a medicinal cuisine cooking class using herbal ingredients, offering participants a chance to learn dishes that enhance the traditional Korean taste and health benefits.

The program is conducted at the 3rd floor Medicinal Food Experience Center of the Seoul Herbal Medicine Promotion Center and the 8th floor Culture Center of Lotte Department Store Cheongnyangni Branch. Middle-aged participants (aged 40-64) wishing to join can apply through the Dongdaemun-gu Family Center website.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, "I hope this program becomes a place of communication where single-person households can overcome loneliness and exchange various information," adding, "We will actively promote various projects that invigorate life so that single-person households can live healthily and happily."