[Feature] Preparations for Namdo International Gourmet Industry Expo Progress Smoothly as It Transforms into an International Event

A Major Transformation Expected Through the Namdo Food Culture Festival Experience
Diverse Programs Designed to Attract Visitors
Plenty to See, Including Chef Competitions Using Local Ingredients
1.5 Million Tourists Anticipated During the Chuseok Holiday Period

Jeonnam Province recently held a briefing session for city and county promotional booths for the "2025 Namdo International Gourmet Industry Expo" and shared various opinions about the expo. Provided by Jeonnam Province

With just over 40 days remaining, preparations for the "2025 Namdo International Gourmet Industry Expo" are in full swing. This year’s expo is drawing particular attention because it aims not only to highlight local food and culture at the primary production stage, but also to connect them to secondary manufacturing (food and specialty product production and processing) and tertiary service industries (distribution, sales, culture, experience, and tourism services).

According to Jeonnam Province and other sources on August 22, the "2025 Namdo International Gourmet Industry Expo" will be held from October 1 to 26 in Mokpo (centered around the Mokpo Culture & Arts Center). The event is positioned as an upgraded version of the "Namdo Food Culture Festival," which has been held for about 30 years since 1994, and it is essentially the first large-scale international food festival to be launched in the region.

Whereas previous events were simple, formal gatherings that emphasized the flavors, reputation, and traditions of Namdo, this year’s government-approved international event has been revamped with the goal of fostering the joint growth of Namdo gourmet cuisine and the related food industries.

The scale and direction of the expo are also unique. Based on three themes-"Competition" where chefs compete, "Festival" that showcases the charm of Namdo cuisine at a glance, and "Business" that offers a glimpse into the industrialization of food-the expo aims to create a blue ocean in the food industry.

Jeonnam Province is currently preparing a wide array of exhibition content and programs to showcase every aspect of Namdo gourmet cuisine, targeting participation from 40 countries and attracting 1.5 million visitors worldwide. Since the event period coincides with Chuseok and other holiday breaks, even greater attendance is anticipated.

The expo venue will feature three distinctive exhibition halls: the Main Theme Hall, the Gourmet Culture Hall, and the K-Food Industry Hall, where visitors can experience the essence of Namdo and world cuisines, explore food industry trends, and discover new technologies-all in one place, highlighting the sustainable future of the gourmet industry.

In particular, the K-Food Industry Hall will be divided into three separate sections over the 26-day expo, allowing a total of 131 companies to participate.

Leading food companies specializing in agricultural, livestock, and marine products, processed, fermented, halal, ready-to-eat foods, confectionery, bakery, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks, as well as food tech companies featuring cooking robots and alternative foods, and kitchenware companies offering appliances and eco-friendly packaging for gourmets, will all take part, presenting a dynamic look at the present and future of gourmet cuisine and the food industry, according to Jeonnam Province’s plan.

The expo will also offer plenty of fun and attractions. The "Three Major Gourmet Parties," which combine the flavors, aromas, and style of Namdo, are especially worth noting.

Reflecting the global interest in Namdo cuisine, 27 countries have already confirmed participation in the opening ceremony and various programs of the expo.

Additionally, detailed events such as the "Global Hidden Masters Competition," where chefs from 13 countries compete using Namdo’s seasonal ingredients, and the "World Gourmet Party," where renowned chefs prepare a variety of international dishes on site, are expected to provide visitors with both the excitement and allure of Namdo cuisine.

The "Four Major Business Programs," which fully embody the characteristics of an industry expo, are expected to further define the identity of this event.

Jeonnam Province plans to hold an "Export Consultation Meeting" organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Overseas Koreans Agency, matching 180 local food and ingredient companies with more than 60 overseas buyers to facilitate export consultations and agreements.

Through the industry expo, Jeonnam Province intends to explore not only the globalization of locally produced ingredients but also their commercial growth potential. The aim is to establish a systemized structure to accelerate the popularity of K-Food products such as seaweed and ramen.

During the event, the "Global Korean Food Forum," held in collaboration with the World Korean Food Association, which operates in 30 cities across 18 countries, is expected to present groundbreaking solutions for local food companies to enter overseas markets and for the globalization and industrialization of Korean cuisine.

Separately, Jeonnam Province officials explained that new recipes utilizing local ingredients will also be developed and introduced to further fuel the K-Food trend.

A Jeonnam Province official stated, "The '2025 Namdo International Gourmet Industry Expo' is not just a festival to promote Namdo cuisine, but a valuable opportunity to explore the commercialization of Namdo’s food and ingredients." He added, "Since this is the first time the event is being held as an international expo, significant effort has gone into preparations from the outset. We need the interest and support of many people."