A promotional image for the 2026 Hansik forum / Courtesy of Korea Heritage Service
As Korean fine dining gains global prestige, chefs and scholars will gather in Seoul this month to debate a question at the heart of the country’s culinary identity: how to preserve the roots of traditional Korean cuisine while pushing it into the future.
The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency said Thursday that they will host the third Hansik Forum Monday at the Korea House Folk Theater in central Seoul.
The forum, “Fine Dining Embraces the Essence of Traditional Korean Cuisine,” will examine ways to reinterpret and expand traditional Korean food culture in a sustainable way, organizers said.
The event will feature presentations and panel discussions led by chefs, academics and food industry officials working at the forefront of Korean cuisine.
The first session will focus on the modern reinterpretation of historical Korean cookbooks, overseas examples of traditional Korean food education and the cultural value of traditional cuisine. The second session will feature an open discussion.
The forum is open to the public and costs 20,000 won ($14) to attend. Participants will receive commemorative goods from the Korea Heritage Agency.
Organizers said applications can be submitted through the Korea House website and its Instagram account.
Korea House, which recently reopened after its first major renovation in 45 years, has promoted traditional Korean cuisine through research into regional ingredients and historical recipes. The venue was named a three-ribbon restaurant in the 2025 Blue Ribbon Survey and was included in the Seoul 100 Gourmet Selection for two consecutive years.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
