The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for development of a recipe for muslim-friendly halal Korean foods through investigation of awareness of Korean foods, taste evaluation, and menu preferences. After Korean foods’ menu range and standard were set up for the survey and in-depth interviews with three halal food experts were conducted, 35 kinds of halal Korean foods were examined. The present study conducted a survey on 205 foreign Muslims living in Jeonjusi, Jeonbuk and Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi who ate Korean foods. Foreign Muslims were male workers in their 20’s residing in company housing, and their monthly mean income was 1.01~2 million KRW. The majority of subjects responded that meal problems were the most difficult in everyday life. Concerning the taste of Korean foods, the response rate of ‘sweet’ and ‘spicy’ was high while ‘Korean food is healthy’ and ‘Korean food ingredients is fresh’ were high for awareness of Korean foods. ‘Bulgogi’ was the most preferred among the selected Korean foods, which was in line with the results of previous research. There is a need to provide information on Korean foods that can be made with food ingredients certified as halal and their recipes through various media for foreign Muslims who have limitations on in meals due to religious factors.

The purpose of this study was to survey the perception and preference for Korean food among Chinese students residing in Korea (Chinese foreign students, N=69) and China (Chinese-locals, N=98). A total of 76.8% of Chinese foreign students and 70.4% of Chinese-locals had ever eaten Korean food in China before visiting Korea, and motivation to try Korean food at first was ‘easy access to Korean food restaurants’ (Chinese foreign students 38.6%, Chinese-locals 44.9%). The most important factors in selecting Korean food were ‘taste’ and ‘price’ (Chinese foreign students 72.7% and 18.2%, Chineselocals 59.1% and 22.7%, respectively), and needed improvements for Korean food were ‘spicy and salty taste’ and ‘nutritional aspect’ (Chinese foreign students 54.5% and 25.8%, Chinese-locals 33.3% and 36.4%, p<0.05). The scores for perception of Korean food were significantly lower in Chinese-locals (2.99) than in Chinese foreign students (3.31)(p<0.001). Chinese foreign students preferred Bulgogi (20.5%), Neobiani (20.1%), and Galbijjim (17.9%), whereas Chinese-locals preferred Bulgogi (16.1%), Gimbap (16.1%), and Samgyetang (15.2%) (p<0.001). The most preferred condiment was ‘Garlic’ (18.0%) in Chinese foreign students, and ‘Red pepper powder’ (16.4%) in Chinese-locals. The results of the study can be used as a foundation to prepare a globalization strategy for Korean Food.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness, eating experience, and preference of kimchi, and the sensory evaluation of kimchi from Chinese and Korean students residing in Korea. General information (including age, sex, duration of staying, living status) was collected. A questionnaire was used to collect the information on awareness, eating experience, and preference of kimchi and dishes made with kimchi. Sensory evaluations were carried out on a 10 point scale. All subjects (37 Koreans, 43 Chinese) were aware of kimchi, with 98% of the Chinese subjects recognizing kimchi as a Korean traditional food and 65% having eaten kimchi at least once a day. The types of kimchi preferred by Chinese subjects were generally sweet and not over-bearing in seasoning, hotness, or ripeness. The more frequently eaten foods made with kimchi were jjigae, bokkeumbap, bibimbap and kimbap. However, the more preferred dishes made with kimchi were bossam, jeongol, bokkeum, jeon, and ramyeon. The Chinese subjects were especially sensitive to spicy odors (4.6±2.2/10), salted seafood odors (4.6±2.3/10), offodors (4.4±2.3/10) and aftertaste (5.9±2.1/10) compared to Korean subjects. Taken all together, the perception as well as sensory characteristic of kimchi needs to be improved for the globalization of kimchi.