Tis study was an attempt to systematically analyze the characteristics of modern Korean food styling using the menu image photos of the Michelin Guide Seoul 2020 restaurants. The first sampling was conducted on the 27th of March 2020 and the second on the 27th of October 2020. A collection of images on the web and 442 photographic cases obtained by a search through theoretical background literature and research papers were studied by a qualitative analysis method. First, the food styling contents were analyzed and based on that, the food styling characteristics of the menus of 11 restaurants in Korea including the contemporary restaurants were considered. The analysis revealed several aspects of Korean food styling. First, food styling appeared to have three major characteristics: color, shape, and container styling. Color styling was further subdivided into single color/similar color, color contrast, source type, and accent color type. The shape/formative styling was classified into figure type, shape type, accessory type, and garnish type, and container styling was categorized as container color type, container shape type, and container material type. Second, the modern Korean food color styling characteristics of Michelin restaurants were categorized in the order of monochromatic/similar type, sauce type, accent color type, and color contrast. In the formative styling category, it was categorized in the order of shape type, small piece type, garnish/garnish type, and figure type. In container styling, container material type and formative type accounted for the major portion of the category. The food styling characteristics of the modern Korean menu were systematized and image examples were presented visually. Please use it as food styling educational material or personal food styling skill.

This study investigated the correlation between consumer’s buying habits and food styling visual elements. Differentiated and original techniques were used to determine whether or not visual elements in tteok menus reflect the aesthetic needs of consumers without altering the nutrition of tteok. The targeted tteok cafes were in Jeonju Hanok Village, which is a tourist attraction in Korea. First, sub-factors of food styling visual elements applied to tteok café menus such as shape, size/volume, color, and texture all had significantly positive effects on customer satisfaction, proving that food styling visual effects applied to tteok café menus have significant effects on customer satisfaction. Second, sub-factors of food styling visual elements applied to tteok café menus all had significantly positive effects on buying habits. Third, customer satisfaction of menus had a significant effect on buying habits, as proven by previous studies. Fourth, the effects of customer satisfaction on the relationship between food styling visual factors applied to tteok café menus and buying habits were investigated.