South Korean cuisine is evolving in Vietnam, transforming from mere food into a cultural experience that includes performances and hands-on activities. Events showcasing K-Food, from cooking and dance performances to making kimchi and kimbap, have been taking place recently.
According to local reports, including VnExpress, a series of events combining Korean food and culture began on September 24. The non-verbal performance 'Chef Show' kicked off in Hanoi before moving to Hai Phong, while a separate Korean food festival was held in Hoi An that same weekend.
The first event was the Chef Show organized by the Korean Cultural Center. The performance in Hanoi on September 24 attracted around 300 attendees. The stage was set against a restaurant backdrop, featuring two chefs competing against each other.
The performers conveyed their story through beatboxing, a cappella, breakdancing, singing, and dancing, without any spoken dialogue. The cooking process itself became part of the performance, with Korean actors showcasing dishes like Vietnamese pho, Italian pizza, Japanese sushi, and Korean bibimbap.
During the preparation of chicken pho, one assistant chef humorously pretended to give artificial respiration to a chicken going into the pot, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The sounds of chopping ingredients, boiling water, and cooking on the pan were seamlessly integrated into the beatboxing and a cappella. The audience was also invited on stage to taste the finished dishes and choose between the two chefs in an interactive segment.
This Chef Show, branded as 'Eatertainment,' first debuted in 2008 under the name 'Bibap' and has continued since 2011 as the Chef Show. It has performed in 101 cities across 38 countries, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the UK, Japan, and Kazakhstan. The show first performed in Hanoi in 2023 and returned for its second performance this year.
After the Hanoi performance, the Chef Show moved to Hai Phong on September 26. The troupe participated in the 'K-Food & Culture Festival 2026,' performing once each day on September 26 and 27.
The Hai Phong festival featured various programs allowing participants to experience Korean food and culture firsthand. Under the guidance of a Korean chef, attendees made traditional kimchi to take home. The Korean Cultural Center also set up a booth where visitors could try on hanbok, enjoy traditional Korean games, and take commemorative photos.
The festival atmosphere was enhanced by K-pop and V-pop performances, with artists like Chipu and Hansara taking the stage. A K-Talent finals competition with a total prize of 30 million VND was also held. Some key opinion leaders and reviewers attended the event to experience the programs and share live updates.
On the same weekend of September 26-27, the '2026 Hoi An Korean Food Festival' took place. Organized by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Ho Chi Minh City branch and operated by Shin ASEAN Vietnam, the event was supported by the Da Nang City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hoi An People's Committee, and the Hoi An World Heritage Preservation Center.
The Hoi An festival focused on hands-on experiences with K-Food. Visitors tasted dishes like tteokbokki and Korean-style convenience meals while participating in programs to make kimbap, dalgona, cup tteokbokki, and Korean ramen.
Programs that combined Korean food with local culture were also offered. Traditional folk performances took place, with Hoi An artists playing Korean music on traditional Vietnamese instruments. Programs promoting the culture and tourism of Hoi An and Da Nang were also conducted. All events and activities were free, marking the second consecutive year for the Hoi An Korean Food Festival.
This series of events has expanded K-Food's presence in Vietnam, transforming it from simple cuisine into a cultural content that local audiences can enjoy and participate in. Interest in Korean food has led to engagement with hanbok, performances, and traditional cultural experiences, establishing K-Food as a new avenue for connecting with Korean culture.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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