"Minari with Samgyeopsal: Was It Only Koreans? Japan Goes Wild for This"

Minari Samgyeopsal and Minari Stew Gain Popularity
Miyagi Prefecture Implements "Cultivation Promotion Policy"
2023 Shipment Value Reaches All-Time High of 4.6 Billion Won

Minari Samgyeopsal (photo to aid article understanding). Screenshot from Gyeongju Culture and Tourism.

Minari, a spring vegetable beloved by Koreans, has recently gained popularity in Japan. This trend is driven by the increasing awareness of various recipes, not only Minari Samgyeopsal, which is typically enjoyed together, but also dishes such as 'Minari stew.'

Recently, the Japanese TBS TV program 'Hiruobi' reported that, due to the ongoing Korean Wave, Minari is becoming popular in Japan, and that the shipment value of Minari has reached an all-time high.

According to the broadcast, in Shin-Okubo, Tokyo, a representative Koreatown in Japan, long lines are forming as people wait to try Korea's 'Minari Samgyeopsal.'

An owner of a pub in Tokyo stated, "Ninety percent of our customers order Minari stew, and among those who try it, ninety percent return to the restaurant."

In fact, according to local gourmet websites such as Tabelog, the number of restaurants in Tokyo serving Minari stew has increased approximately 4.2 times over the past ten years. Minari is increasingly being used in a variety of dishes, including ramen and spaghetti, reflecting its expanding applications.

As a result, the wholesale price of Minari in Japan is currently above the five-year average, and the shipment value surpassed 480 million yen (approximately 4.62 billion won) in 2023, marking an all-time high.

However, in contrast to the increase in shipment value, the shipment volume is on a downward trend. This is due to the continuous decline in the number of farms cultivating Minari. In Miyagi Prefecture, a major production area, the local government is actively promoting Minari cultivation by providing subsidies for agricultural machinery maintenance and other support measures.

An official from the Miyagi Prefecture Department of Agriculture stated, "The decrease in new farmers is currently the most serious issue," and added, "We hope that various support measures will encourage more farmers to take an interest in Minari cultivation."