Number of S. Koreans not eating kimchi on rise: Data
Seoul, Aug 9
South Koreans are consuming significantly less kimchi than in the past despite the surge in global popularity of the country's signature side dish, data showed on Sunday.
According to a joint study by researchers from Chung-Ang University, Jeju National University, and the World Institute of Kimchi, the proportion of South Koreans who reported eating no kimchi within the past 24 hours jumped from 11.7 percent in 2010 to 22.7 percent in 2024.
The study was based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2010 to 2024, reports Yonhap news agency.
By gender, the 24-hour non-consumption rate rose from 10.2 percent to 20.6 percent among men, and from 13.1 percent to 24.8 percent among women.
In age groups other than children under age 10, the rate of eating kimchi as a side dish fell. It was most pronounced among people between ages 20 and 39, with their consumption of kimchi as a side dish falling from 82 percent in 2010 to 66 percent in 2024.
More people are instead eating kimchi as an ingredient for other cooked dishes, such as kimchi jjigae (stew).
The study showed socioeconomic factors also influenced kimchi intake, with the lowest income group showing a higher rate of kimchi consumption than the highest income bracket.
"The trend observed in kimchi consumption indicates broader shifts in overall meal composition and eating habits," the joint research team said. "Public health strategies for the future should move away from simply promoting kimchi consumption and shift to encouraging more balanced diets."
Meanwhile, South Korea's tourism balance hit a record surplus since the COVID-19 pandemic period, thanks to the popularity of the country's pop culture, industry data showed on Sunday.
The country's travel account was in the black by US$596.6 million in June, marking a dramatic turnaround from the same month a year earlier when the deficit stood at $846.8 million, according to the data from the Korea Tourism Organisation.
The June figure is the second highest since October 2008, when the country recorded a surplus of $661.5 million from the tourism sector.
South Korea's tourism balance had continued to remain in the red for 72 consecutive months since March 2020, during the spread of the pandemic, but swung to the black in March this year and continued to post a surplus, the agency said.
Total revenue generated from the tourism sector in June was $2.78 billion, with each foreign tourist spending an average of $1,397 per person, the data also showed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The 20-39 age group dropping from 82% to 66% is quite telling. It's the same story in our cities - young Indians moving away from traditional thalis and homemade food because they don't have time. Fast food is convenient, but we're losing something important. At least Koreans still have kimchi jjigae as an alternative!
I visited Seoul a few years ago during my business trip there from Pune office. Kimchi is everywhere, but interestingly, I noticed younger Korean colleagues eating more Western-style food. I guess no country is immune to global food trends. The tourism surplus news shows K-culture is still booming globally though.
Honestly, this is a bit sad. Kimchi is such an integral part of Korean culture, like our achar (pickle). No meal in our house feels complete without some spicy achar on the side. I hope they don't lose that heritage entirely. But it's also nice to see they're shifting to more balanced diets instead of just pushing one food.
The socioeconomic angle is interesting - lower income groups eating more kimchi seems counterintuitive these days. Back home, I see the opposite, with expensive imported packaged foods being status symbols. Anyway, good that researchers are thinking about overall diet quality rather than single foods.
Not surprising honestly. When I was studying in Delhi university, my Korean classmates said the same thing - home cooking takes time and younger people are always rushing. Same with our dals and sabzis. But hey, at least Korean tourism is making good money. Maybe we can learn from their food industry marketing
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