Global Popularity of Korean Food on the Rise: Survey

A recent survey by the Korean Food Promotion Institute revealed that approximately six out of 10 global consumers dined at a Korean restaurant in the past year, with an average frequency of 1.7 visits per month.

The survey, conducted between August and October 2023, included responses from 9,000 individuals aged 20 to 59 in 18 major cities worldwide, such as New York, Paris, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Bangkok. It showed that 64.6 percent of participants had visited a Korean restaurant at least once.

In Oceania, Latin America, and the Middle East, 52.3 percent of the visitors to Korean restaurants were non-Koreans, marking a 2.1 percent increase from the previous year. Southeast Asia led with 84.6 percent of respondents visiting Korean restaurants, followed by Northeast Asia at 74.7 percent, North America at 58.6 percent, and Europe at 46.9 percent, with slight declines in some regions.

The frequency of visits was highest in Southeast Asia, averaging 2.2 times per month. Northeast Asia followed with 1.7 visits per month, while Oceania, Latin America, and the Middle East each averaged 1.5 visits. North Americans visited 1.4 times per month, and Europeans averaged 1.2 visits.

There was a notable shift in the reasons for dining at Korean restaurants. In 2023, 49 percent of non-Korean patrons visited for routine meals, an increase from 46.2 percent in 2022.

Satisfaction with Korean restaurants remained high, with 90.4 percent of respondents expressing contentment, up by 0.5 percentage points from the previous year. Additionally, 83 percent indicated they would recommend Korean restaurants to others. The willingness to return stood at 86.7 percent, with Southeast Asia leading at 91.9 percent, followed by Northeast Asia at 85.9 percent, Europe at 84.6 percent, and both Oceania and Latin America and the Middle East at 84.4 percent. North America had an 84.3 percent return rate.

News Source: The Korea Times