Jeonju Draws Attention as a Key Player in Global Food Tourism Evaluation

Spanish Media Highlights "K-Food"

Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, has been recognized as a global food tourism hub by the leading Spanish media outlet 'El Periodico.'

According to the city on the 17th, El Periodico published an article on the 13th titled "Ni Copenhague ni Madrid, la ciudad gastron?mica de moda est? en Corea del Sur (The Trendiest Gastronomic City These Days Is Not Copenhagen or Madrid, but in South Korea)," in which it spotlighted Jeonju as the center of the globally celebrated K-food trend.

A panoramic view of Jeonju City Hall.

In the article, El Periodico stated, "In 2025, not only the authentic taste of food but also dishes with unique stories will become even more firmly established as a trend in culinary tourism," adding, "Unlike established gastronomic cities such as Copenhagen, Madrid, and Barcelona, Jeonju in Korea is emerging as the new center of food culture."

Regarding bibimbap, the representative dish of Jeonju, the article described it as "a signature Korean dish that combines steamed rice, vegetables, raw beef, and egg garnish in a single bowl, embodying the values of harmony and balance." It continued, "Jeonju is the birthplace of bibimbap and best preserves Korean tradition, while also continuously pursuing culinary innovation to reflect contemporary tastes. Jeonju's food culture has become the driving force behind the global K-food craze that has spread worldwide in recent years."

The article further noted, "In line with the global influence of K-food, major cities such as New York, LA, and San Francisco have seen a surge in restaurants reinterpreting Korean dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi." It analyzed, "As the number of Korean restaurants in major cities around the world has increased by more than 10% in recent years, Jeonju, which best preserves the original form of Korean cuisine, deserves even greater attention."

Additionally, El Periodico briefly introduced the food cultures of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Manaus in Brazil, Tbilisi in Georgia, Lima in Peru, and Tokyo in Japan as noteworthy gastronomic destinations for 2025, based on global data analysis by the culinary consulting company 'Talentchef.'

A city official stated, "Jeonju is rapidly emerging as a global food travel destination, not only as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy but also as Korea's representative city of taste," adding, "We will continue to discover and promote the unique flavors of Jeonju, where tradition and modernity harmonize, to provide unforgettable experiences for both domestic and international travelers visiting Jeonju."