K-Food Captivates US College Students... "It Has Become a Trend Among Gen Z"

K-Food Promotion Event Held at George Washington University

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation announced on the 6th that K-food received favorable reviews from Gen-Z students at a promotional event held on the 5th at George Washington University in Washington D.C., USA.

Students are taking a commemorative photo at the K-Food promotional event held at George Washington University in the United States. / [Photo by Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation]

The Ministry and the Trade Corporation showcased a pop-up store under the concept of 'K-Food Express,' which brought a convenience store directly onto the campus.

On that day, students visited the convenience store booth to cook and eat K-ramen themselves, and enjoyed various ready-to-eat foods such as frozen gimbap, rice balls, and hot dogs, falling in love with the taste and charm of K-food. The various K-snacks displayed at the venue provided students of diverse nationalities from around the world with the fun of choosing and tasting.

Stephanie, a 20-year-old majoring in Applied Nutrition who came to the event with friends, said, "As the popularity of K-content rises, K-food has become a trend among the Gen-Z generation," adding, "I was glad to be able to taste various K-foods at this event."

The provisional export amount of agricultural, livestock, and food products to the U.S. this year, counted until last month, was $1.023 billion, an increase of 22.8% compared to the same period last year. Major export items include snacks at $181 million (up 38.0% YoY), ramen at $138 million (up 61.5%), and processed rice products at $110 million (up 59.2%).

Kwon Oh-yeop, Director of Export Food at the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, said, "We will expand consumer experience events so that the curious American Gen-Z generation’s love for K-food can continue."