A franchise restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, named Ant Cave, is facing backlash after mislabeling Korean dishes as Northeast Chinese cuisine. Located in the One Bangkok shopping mall, the restaurant has sparked outrage among the Korean community after its menu descriptions and décor caused confusion over the origins of some popular Korean dishes.
Incorrectly Labeled Dishes and Menu
The controversy began when it was discovered that the menu, featuring dishes such as kimchi stew, soybean paste stew, and soft tofu stew, labeled them as part of Northeast Chinese cuisine. Additionally, the menu incorrectly described kimchi-related dishes as “paocai,” a term for Chinese pickled vegetables, rather than acknowledging their Korean origins. The menu also included images of kimchi being made, and the décor featured pictures of tteokbokki (a popular Korean rice cake dish) served by individuals wearing hanbok, traditional Korean attire.
Professor Seok Kyung-dek’s Response
Professor Seok Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women’s University in South Korea spoke out about the issue on January 14 through his social media. He confirmed the mislabeling through reports from Koreans living in Thailand. Professor Seok strongly criticized the restaurant, calling it an example of cultural appropriation. He also pointed to the case of the Chinese franchise ‘Micheon,’ which has over 1,000 locations and promotes bibimbap as a signature dish, but presents it as a “non-material cultural heritage of Joseonjok” (ethnic Koreans in China), causing further tensions.
Cultural Appropriation and National Identity
Professor Seok emphasized that while Koreans operate Chinese restaurants abroad, they do not claim Chinese food as Korean. He described the act of misrepresenting Korean culture as “blatant theft” and called for respect toward the indigenous cultures of other countries. “Chinese people should first learn to respect the cultures of other countries,” he stated.
The incident has stirred widespread debate about the importance of accurately representing the cultural origins of food, with many expressing concerns over the blending and misrepresentation of national cuisines.
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