The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT) announced on Thursday that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s food service giant, Ourhome, to promote Korean cuisine across the global catering market. This collaboration, which is backed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, aims to bring Korean dishes to institutional catering menus worldwide while supporting the growth of domestic agriculture.
Expanding Global Presence of Korean Cuisine
The partnership’s primary objective is to introduce traditional Korean dishes into institutional catering services around the world. Additionally, the collaboration seeks to create export opportunities for small and medium-sized Korean food companies. A significant focus will be placed on utilizing eco-friendly ingredients to combat climate change, a key initiative emphasized by aT.
Ourhome, which was established in 2000, already operates in five countries and serves over 180,000 meals daily. The company has been gradually expanding its international presence to meet the growing global demand for Korean food. This partnership with aT is set to further solidify the global reach of Korean cuisine.
Institutional Catering as Key Market
Through this agreement, aT aims to position Korean food as a staple offering in global institutional catering markets. With Ourhome’s extensive international network, the collaboration provides a significant platform for K-food to reach new audiences worldwide.
Earlier this month, aT and Ourhome co-hosted a “K-Food Day” event at an LG Electronics plant in Monterrey, Mexico. Employees were treated to a variety of Korean dishes, including tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), dumplings, and kimchi stir-fry tacos. The event was well-received, with employees praising the flavors and expressing interest in incorporating Korean food into their regular meals.
Cultural Exchange and Economic Support
“This partnership is about more than just food; it’s about sharing the rich culture of Korea with the world,” said Kwon Oh-yeop, aT’s director of food exports. “By expanding K-food globally, we’re not only introducing new flavors to international audiences but also supporting local farmers and food producers back home.”
With this new venture, aT and Ourhome hope to promote the unique flavors of Korean cuisine globally while also boosting South Korea’s agricultural industry and its food exports.
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