The objective of this study was to investigate the total sugar content in take-out foods by using HPLC analysis.Samples of take-out food were collected from six regions in Korea (Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Gang-won-do, Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do). The samples consisted of 30 main dishes (12 Chinese dishes and 18 flour-baseddishes) and 19 desserts (11 rice cakes and 8 breads). In case of Chinese food, the maximum total sugar content ofTangsuyuk, Ganjajang, Jajangmyeon, and Gun-mandu was 10.346g/100g, 2.409g/100g, 1.589g/100g, and 1.988g/100g respectively. The total sugar content in seasoned Chinese food with sauces was higher than that of the otherChinese food. In case of flour-based food as a main dish, flour-based food seasoned with red pepper paste and manysauces such as Tteokbokki, Naengmyeon, and Guksue had a higher total sugar content than Mandutguk, Tteok-manduguk, and Udong. In particular, Hoe-naengmyeon had the highest total sugar content of 7.194g/100g. Also,desserts (rice cakes and breads), except for Garaetteok, had a high total sugar content with the highest in Glutinousdoughnut and Glutinous rice tteok with red bean paste, which among all the regions analyzed had a maximum totalsugar content of 19.602g/100g from Gyeongsang-do and 30.339g/100g from Seoul respectively.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the consumption prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplements as health functional foods (VM-HFF) and to examine the factors associated with VM-HFF consumption behaviors in adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attending middle or high schools from various cities and rural communities in Korea participated in this study. The prevalence of VM-HFF consumption was 41.7%, with boys showing a higher consumption than girls (p<0.01). VM-HFF consumption was higher in families with higher socioeconomic status and for families with parents that exhibited higher concerns about their child's health, growth, and nutritional intake (p<0.001). Most consumers of VM-HFF consumed HFFs 'when healthy' (50.1%), and acquired nutritional information from 'their families & relatives' (50.9%). Most consumers responded that VM-HFF was 'a little effective' (54.3%), followed by 'no obvious effects' (37.1%), and 'very effective' (7.4%). The effectiveness of consuming VM-HFF was mainly for 'fatigue recovery' (39.0%) and 'health improvement' (28.2%). Most consumers purchased HFFs at 'pharmacies & oriental medicine clinics' (53.8%) and at 'health functional food stores' (18.8%). Most consumers 'occasionally' (51.1%) or 'seldom' (27.3%) checked nutrition facts when purchasing, with 58.9% of consumers understanding the nutritional label for 'the most part', but only 8.7% of them understanding it 'very well'. Among the VM-HFF, consumers preferred calcium- and vitamin C-supplements. Consumers' mini-dietary assessment scores were higher than those of non-consumers. The results above showed that VM-HFF consumption was widely spread among adolescents, but few consumers checked and understood the nutrition label when they purchased VM-HFF, and were highly dependent on the advice and information from non-professional nutritionists, such as families & relatives. Therefore, it is necessary to educate adolescents to help them read nutrition labels and select the proper VM-HFF.

The objective of this study was to analyze the awareness and satisfaction regarding Korean traditional foods in elementary, middle, and high school students. In a survey of 1,030 students, 55.9% of the total respondents stated that traditional Korean food is 'Korean food that uses unique Korean recipes' (p<0.001). In terms of awareness of traditional food, most middle and high school students responded that the mass media was the biggest influence, while elementary students said that their parents were the most pervasive influence. In terms of satisfaction with traditional food served in school, 13 menus had the highest popularity among elementary school students. Most elementary school students preferred Korean traditional foods compared to middle and high school students. The awareness and satisfaction regarding Korean traditional food in elementary, middle and high school students.

This study summarized findings from an investigation into the awareness and evaluation of traditional foods among 197 male and female university students in the Chungnam area. The results were as follows. Regarding awareness of cooktable setting of traditional foods, 44.67% (88 students) of subjects answered that they had little knowledge. Female students showed a significantly high level of awareness of cooktable setting (p<0.05). Regarding the taste of traditional foods, 64.97% (128 students) of subjects responded appropriately. Regarding the necessity for partial development of traditional foods into a modern style, 61.90% (52 students) of male subjects and 84.96% (96 students) of female subjects were in agreement (p<0.01). Regarding the necessity for traditional food education, 77.16% (152 students) were in agreement, especially female students (86.73%, 98 students) showed considerably higher consent (p<0.05). For the assessment of traditional foods, nutrition (4.57 scores), taste (4.31 scores), and appearance (4.26 scores) were very highly assessed, whereas cookery (3.30 scores) and economic aspects (3.04 scores) scored relatively lower. Traditional desserts were recognized as routine and modern by male students. On the other hand, girls recognized desserts as traditional (p<0.05). Accordingly, we must preserve and pass down Korean traditional foods by increasing awareness through education or experience as well as through planning better cookery and economical aspects by applying certain standards for traditional foods.

This study was conducted to compare the preference and satisfaction for Korean traditional foods (Jeonju Bibimbap, Daetongbap, Jeonbokjuk, Jorangiddockguk, Hobakbumbuk, Darkgalbee, Eonyang Bulgogi, Moyackgwa, Insam Jeonggwa, Maejackgwa) in foreigners and Koreans. In this study, 27 foreign and 31 Korean university students were surveyed. Statistical analysis and Mann-Whitney U test were performed using the SPSS statistical package (17.0). The major findings were as follows: 1) Foreigners had higher experience of eating Darkgalbee (84.6%), Jeonju Bibimbap (80.8%), Daetongbap (53.8%), and Jeonbokjuk (53.8%) among Korean traditional foods, whereas their eating experience of Insam Jeonggwa (3.8%), Maejackgwa (11.5%), Moyackgwa (15.4%) and Jorangiddockguk (23.1%) was lower. 2) Foreigners and Koreans both liked sweet taste, but disliked sour taste, bitter taste, garlic flavor, sesame flavor, and soy sauce flavor among the sensory characteristics of Korean traditional foods. 3) Foreigners scored their overall satisfaction of Korean traditional foods in the order of Jeonju Bibimbap (7.70±0.95), Eonyang Bulgogi (7.62±2.10), Daetongbap (7.59±1.60), Darkgalbee (7.20±1.56), and Jeonbokjuk (6.67±1.64), whereas Koreans rated higher scores for Eonyang Bulgogi (8.28±1.19), Darkgalbee (8.20±1.00), Jeonju Bibimbap (7.73±1.08), Jeonbokjuk (7.69±1.44), and Moyackgwa (7.43±1.52).

This paper reviews 14 studies of the Joseon Dynasty(1392～1909) to examine the traditional Korean foods in Korean festivals. A total of 12 studies mentioned Seollal, Daeboreum, Dongji, Nappyeng as festivals involving. Traditional foods 10, Yudu, 9, Sambok and Junggujeol, 8, Chuseok and Seotdalgeummeum, 7, Samjinnal, Chopail, and Dano, 5, Jungwon, and 4, Hansik. In terms of the types of traditional foods, 13 studies mentioned red bean gruel, 12, Yaksik, 11, Tteokguk, 10, sudan and dog meat, 8, the custom of cracking the outer shell of different types of nuts, 7, Guibagisul(an ear-quickening wine), rice cakes(azalea hwajeon, zelkova rice cake, bean and turnip rice cake), 6, a chrysanthemum cakes, 5, Songpyeon, charunbeung(wagon-wheel rice cake), chrysanthemum wine, and sparrow meat, 4, Gangjeong, red bean grue, wine and snack, Jeonyak, 3, rice cakes, the making of soy sauce, Nabyak, roasted hare meat, foods for guests during, New Year festivities and rice cakes. The most frequently recorded festival foods were rice cakes and wine in various forms. This paper's review of ancient documents from the Joseon Dynasty provides a better understanding of Korea's folk customs, particularly traditional foods. In addition, this paper's findings are expected to help sustain Korea's traditional customs and foods and facilitrate the spread of Korea's food culture worldwide.

This study analyzed Korean traditional foods and western foods in the field of 'dietary life' in Practical Arts curriculums, and developed the fusion-food cooking activity program for elementary school students. Firstly, potatoes, dumplings coated with bean paste, simple side dishes are discussed in the first curriculum. The second curriculum discussed only traditional foods and the third curriculum considered more traditional foods than western foods including bread. From the fourth curriculum to the sixth, traditional foods were mainly discussed and both traditional foods and western foods were mentioned evenly in the seventh and revised 2007's curriculum. Secondly, this study developed 'fusion-food cooking activity' program which helps students not only to learn the meaning, kinds, history, and related customs of Korean traditional foods; kimchi, Korean pizza, rice cake, but also to learn and practice cooking fusion-foods covering traditional foods.In conclusion, it can be assumed that the 'fusion-food cooking activity' program developed in this study improves interest in Korean traditional foods amongst elementary school students, and helps students to understand the reputation and value of traditional foods. Therefore fusion-foods cooking activity containing traditional foods which are not discussed in this study should be studied and developed more in the future.

The elderly is a target group for health functional foods (HFFs). We surveyed 825 Korean elderly (71.4- years-of-age) for HFF use and significant variables for HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables, and nutritional beliefs. The prevalence of HFF use was 48.7%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were eaten most frequently, followed by ginseng products, nutritional supplements, and mushroom products. The mean age of users of HFFs was lower than nonusers (p<.01). HFFs were eaten more frequently by subjects from families living with a spouse or unmarried children (p<.01) and those with higher levels of monthly pocket money (p<.001). HFFs were also eaten more frequently by subjects or their spouses with a higher education level (p<.001). The social activity participation ratio (p<.01) of subjects and the HFF usage ratio by the spouse (p<.001) were higher in users of HFF than in nonusers. Dietary assessment scores were not different between the two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefits of HFFs than did nonusers (p<.001). Most users of HFF ate HFFs "when they were healthy" (52.2%) and experienced some effect through HFF use (45.8%). Most users of HFFs received information on HFFs through their families or relatives (38.1%) and most purchased HFFs at the pharmacy or oriental medicine clinic (44.8%). HFF users preferred multivitamin- and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin and mineral supplements belonged to HFFs. The above results show that HFF use is widely spread among subjects, and that use of HFF is influenced by various factors. Thus, practical guidelines for HFF use should be provided for the elderly through elderly focused-nutrition education based upon significant variables and consumption behaviors for their HFF use of present study.

This study investigated the perception, evaluation, and the possibility for globalizing Korean foods and Yak-sun among different nationalities of foreigners living in Korea. A survey was conducted with 171 foreigners (eastern Asian, southeastern and central Asian, European, and American). The questionnaire was composed of three parts, including perception, evaluation, and the possibility for globalizing Korean foods and Yak-sun. The reason for choosing Korean foods cited by southeastern and central Asians and Americans was "taste", whereas eastern Asians and Europeans chose "culture" and "curiosity", respectively. Americans and Europeans considered "spiciness" as a reason not to choose Korean foods (P<0.001). Regarding the possibility of globalizing Korean foods, eastern Asians and Americans/Europeans/southeast Asians and central Asians responded "Korean dining culture" and "incomprehensive menus", respectively (P<0.05). An "explanation of the menu to foreigners" was regarded as the main suggestion for globalizing Korean food. Most of the respondents understood that Yak-sun is an oriental medicinal food that provides improved health and disease prevention. A number of Europeans and Americans expressed high interest in the conceptualization of Yak-sun (P<0.001). With regard to the priority for developing Yak-sun, eastern Asians, southeastern and central Asians, and Europeans picked out "health status improvement", whereas "improved nutritional status" was manifested in the majority of the American's responses (P<0.001). Therefore, it is crucial that "localization" be applied to Korean foods and Yak-sun to meet the international standard. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide simplified and correct Korean food content information to foreigners.

In this study, we attempted to elucidate the cultural characteristics of Korean food based on a traditional understanding on the Korean novel. To achieve this, food characteristics related to 'rites of passage' were analyzed in the representative Korean literary work "Hon-bool", which describes the life of a first-son's wife every three generations in the going to ruin but historic 'Lee's family of Maean district' family and the life of the common 'Geomeong-gul' people who lived with farming on the Lee's land at Namwon of Junbook province in the 1930~1940s, during the Japanese Colonial rule. Every nation possesses rites of passage at important points in life, such as at birth, age of majority, wedding and death. Korean culture, in particular, has several memorial rites relating to birth, death and passage into the afterlife in which special foods are prepared. In this manner, ceremonial foods represent the Korean peoples' traditional vision of the universe and life. The book "Hon-bool" describes these traditions. Especially, the book describes the table-settings related to the main character's childbirth, first birthday, wedding and death. Therefore "Hon-bool" represents a living history of Korean traditional food and the work of storytelling through the traditional understanding is expected that perform an important role in making of cultural contents of Korean foods.

To establish a globalization strategy for Korean food, it is important to ascertain foreign consumer's taste preferences and to evaluate their sensory perceptions of Korean food. In concert with previous studies, the most preferred food were Bulgogi and Galbi. However, respondents showed somewhat different preferences for other foods. Chinese and other Asian participants preferred Galbitang and Samgyetang, while Japanese participants preferred Pajeon, Galbitang and Japchae, and Western participants preferred Galbitang, Mandu and Bibimbap. The most preferred condiment was hot pepper paste (the representative condiment of Korea) and the least preferred one was ginger. Hot pepper paste was preferred most by Japanese participants, while Chinese participants tended not to prefer ginger and other Asian participants excepting those from China and Japan disliked vinegar most. Foreign consumers tended to consider Korean food as sweet, salty and very hot. Chinese participants considered Korean food to be 'plain' and 'light and washy' in taste, while Japanese participants considered Korean food to be 'greasy' and 'thick and sticky'. Chinese participants considered typical servings to be inadequate, while Japanese participants considered the servings as excessive.

This study was conducted to examine the superior factors and the perception of Korean traditional foods by college students studying in food related industries. The subject group consisted of 65.0% of the students majoring in food service & culinary arts, 12.9% of the students majoring in food & nutrition, and 7.3% of the students majoring in baking & pastry. The nutritional value was evaluated as the top superior factor of Korean traditional foods by the study subjects. In addition, 92.4% of reported that they had eaten Korean traditional foods in the past, 76.8% of whom responded that the reason for having Korean traditional foods was its time-honored tradition. 'Cooking for oneself' was considered to be the most popular way (78.2%) of obtaining Korean traditional foods, while the traditional market (58.6%) was the most popular place to purchase the foods. 'Not having enough time' (47.2%) was the primary reason for not having Korean traditional foods, although 72.9% of the subjects reported that they wanted to learn about Korean foods. 'Standardization of taste, nutritional value, and recipes' was found to be the most important factor (41.3%) required to increase the consumption of Korean traditional foods. Additionally, 56.1% of the subjects responded that they feel there is a need for modernization of the cuisine to meet the taste of the general public. However, 61.4% of the subjects responded that the succession of traditional dietary culture was the primary reason for developing traditional cuisine, which indicates that there is a bright future for Korean traditional foods.

The purpose of this study was to investigate Chinese customers' perceptions of Korean foods and their satisfaction toward Korean cuisine restaurants. The subjects of this study were 202 Chinese individuals who visited Korean cuisine restaurants in Shanghai, China. The subjects viewed Korean foods as favorite foods and perceived them as fresh and seasonal, and mostly composed of cereals and vegetables however they did not view Korean cuisine as good for health. As compared to customers visiting a Korean restaurant for the first time, those who had visited Korean restaurants previously agreed more strongly with the following items: 'Korean food has a beautiful color', 'Korean food is familiar', 'Korean food smells good', 'Korean food is healthy', 'Korean food is nutritious', and 'Korean food is salty and spicy'. In addition, as compared to occasional visitors, frequent visitors of Korean cuisine restaurants more strongly agreed with the followings: 'Korean food has a beautiful color', 'Korean food is expensive', 'Korean food is healthy', 'Korean food is nutritious', 'Korean food is salty and spicy', and 'Korean food includes many fermented foods'. The subjects considered 'appearance of menu', 'variety of menu', 'nutrition of menu', and 'Chinese characters for menu and ingredients' as the most important attributes when choosing Korean cuisine restaurants. The frequent customers of Korean cuisine restaurants considered 'kind service', 'employee knowledge of Korean foods', 'operation hours of restaurant', and 'cleanliness of restaurant' as the most important restaurant attributes. In addition, the frequent customers of Korean cuisine restaurants were more satisfied than the occasional customers with the followings: 'nutritional quality of menu', 'quick service', 'cleanliness of restaurant', 'appearance and signboard of restaurant', and 'image of restaurant'. The implications of the data are discussed.

The purpose of this research was to investigate consumers' perceptions of foods that are most compatible with traditional Korean liquors. The study participants were a total of 402 customers who visited traditional Korean bars. Thirty-eight percent of the participants drank alcohol once or twice a week, and overall, 79% drank with friends or co-workers. Forty-three percent spent 30,000-40,000 won on alcoholic drinks, and half of them frequently drank distilled Soju whereas 27% drank beer. Those who drank traditional Korean liquor chose to do so because they viewed it as good for their health and the beverage was tasty. Participants selected Yakju/Baekseju (47.5%), Bokbunjaju (21.1%), and Takju/Makgeoli (8.2%) as the most compatible Korean traditional liquors with Korean traditional foods. The most compatible foods with Yakju were identified as Haemulpajeon (11.8%), Dubukimchi (9.8%), and Bossam/Suyuk/Pyeonyuk (7.5%). Bokbunjaju was viewed as a good match with Jangeogui (8.1%), Hunjeori (6.5%), and Saengseonhoe (6.4%). The respondents perceived Deodeokgui (6.7%), Saengseonhoe (5.9%), and Dubukimchi (5.6%) as the most compatible foods with Yakju with mushrooms. Chengju was viewed as a good pairing with Eomuktang (9.2%), Altang/Maeuntang (7.2%), and Saengseonhoe (6.8%). The respondents thought Takju went well with Haemulpajeon (17.7%), Dubukimchi (14.2%), and Kimchijeon (11.7%). And finally, Altang/Maeuntang (11.8%), Samgyeopsalgui (8.7%), and Honghaptang/Jogaetang (8.1%) were mentioned as the most compatible foods with distilled Soju.

In this study, Jeonju bibimbap, Bulgogi, Japchae, Whangpomuk, Kimchijeyukbokkeum, and Sangseonjeon were selected as examples of take-out style Korean foods, and sensory evaluations on a 9-point hedonic scale were conducted with dining staff at UCLA. 54.5% of the respondents in this study were male and 62.7% were Hispanic/Latino, with the respondents fairly evenly split across age groups in a range of 25-54 years. In the sensory evaluation, the most acceptable items were judged as follows: Bulgogi (8.1)>Japchae (7.5)>Sangseonjeon (7.4)>Jeonjubibimbap=kimchijeyukbokkeum (7.3)>Whangpomuk (6.9). Among the 6 Korean foods (Jeonjubibimbap, Bulgogi, Japchae, Whangpomuk, Kimchijeyukbokkeum and Sangseonjeon), Bulgogi, and Saengseonjeon were the most acceptable items for the female and male respondents, respectively. All of the items were popular with the majority of the responding age groups, with the exception of the 18-24-year groups; in particular, Kimchijeyukbokkeum and Bulgogi scored relatively high on acceptability (7.0) for all respondents. Jeonjubibimbap, Japchae, Whangpomuk, and Saengseonjeon were also found to be acceptable to all respondents except for the African American respondents. We suggest that the Korean foods listed above are applicable items for quick service restaurants in the U.S. market.

This study investigated elementary school students' perception, preferences, and intake of Korean traditional foods, focusing specifically on kimchi, tteok (rice cake), and eumcheong (beverage) varieties; and compared them by gender, living with grandparents, mother's occupation, and meal preparation by the grandmother. The subjects were 287 6th grade elementary school students in Busan. The results were as follows: 80% of children were interested in Korean traditional foods. 40% believed that their intake of Korean traditional foods was decreasing because these foods were not palatable to them. The majority of them, however, said they would continue to eat Korean traditional foods as they had done (54.7%) or eat more than before (36.6%) in the future. The children thought that Korean traditional foods were rich in nutrition and good for their health. The children had the highest preference for Baechu-kimchi among varieties of kimchi, and they had high preferences for Songpyeon, Galaitteok, and Injulmi. They had high preferences for Sikhye, citron tea, and adlai tea. Over 80% reported consuming Baechu-kimchi and Kkakdugi three to four times per week. They had eaten Injulmi the most frequently among the tteoks, while over 80% had eaten the other types of tteok only once or twice per month. Adlai tea, citron tea, and Sikhye were drunk more than once per week. In general, we noted no significant differences in the children's perceptions, preferences, and intake of Korean traditional foods by gender, living with grandparents, mother's occupation, and meal preparation by grandmother, with the exception of several items. The students had a very positive perception of Korean traditional foods. They had higher preferences for and had more frequently consumed the more familiar Korean traditional foods. It is therefore suggested that if the children had opportunities to experience Korean traditional foods more frequently and variously at home or in restaurants, they would appreciate Korean traditional foods even more, and develop higher preferences for these foods.

A survey on consumer’s awareness and perception toward genetically-modified (GM) foods was conducted on 2110 random samples of Korean consumers. More than 65% of the respondents were exposed to some information related to GM foods. The respondents answered that the greatest benefit of the development of GM foods is remedy of potential food shortages in the future. More than 90% of Korean consumers wanted GM foods to be labeled as such. More than 50% of the respondents would not buy until they know more about GM foods. Only 35.8% of Korean consumers were found to know that food items originating from plants contained genes. More consumers responded that they would not buy herbicide-resistant GM soybean but buy vitamin-enriched GM soybean. Many Korean consumers' decision of acceptance or rejection of GM foods depend not on the basis of biotechnology, but on the basis of the degree of benefit to the consumers. Only 6.4% of Korean consumers responded that GM foods were the greatest threat to the safety of Korean foods. The perception of Korean consumers on GM foods has not changed significantly during the past 5 years.

The objectives of this study were to develop Korean dishes acceptable for quick-service Korean food restaurant franchising operations in the U.S. and to test consumer preferences of 6 Korean dishes developed. One hundred American consumers evaluated beef(Bulgogi), pork(Jeyuk-bokkeum), chicken(Dagkalbi), noodles with seasoned vegetables(Japchae), braised tofu(Dubujorim), and stir-fried kimchi (Kimchi-bokkeum). Consumer preferences for color and aroma of the three dishes(Bulgogi, Jeyuk-bokkeum and Dagkalbi) were not different with most indicating they liked these attributes. Bulgogi was preferred over Dagkalbi and Jeyuk-bokkeum was least acceptable. Consumers rated the flavor of the Bulgogi from a little too mild to just right while both the Dagkalbi and Jeyuk-bokkeum were rated from just right to too strong. Overall acceptance was inversely related to spiciness. Bulgogi and Dagkalbi were ranked significantly higher than Jeyuk-bokkeum with Bulgogi receiving a slightly higher score. Overall acceptance was higher for the Japchae than the Kimchi-bokkeum. Dubujorim was intermediate and not preferred or disliked more than either of the others. Consumers rated the flavor of the Japchae and the Dubujorim higher than the Kimchi-bokkeum, indicating that the flavor of the Kimchi-bokkeum was too strong. Almost half indicated both the Dubujorim and Kimchi-bokkeum were slightly or much too hot. The Japchae and the Dubujorim were ranked equally high and significantly higher than the Kimchi-bokkeum. We suggest that control of spiciness is a main factor to develop Korean dishes acceptable for quick-service Korean food restaurant franchising operations in the U.S.