K-Food Shines Bright at ‘Korea Day’ During the Osaka Expo
Korea Celebrates National Day at the 2025 Osaka Expo with K-Food Promotions, Korea-Japan Friendship Dinner, and 1:1 Export Consultations
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the successful hosting of various events on May 13 to commemorate “Korea Day,” the official national celebration during the 2025 Osaka Expo. These included consumer experience and promotional events, a Korea-Japan friendship banquet, and 1:1 export consultations between Korean exporters and international buyers.
K-Food Consumer Experience and Promotional Event
On Tuesday, May 13, a K-Food consumer experience and promotional event was held at the WASSE venue of the Osaka Expo to showcase the excellence and competitiveness of Korean agricultural products to Japanese consumers and international visitors.
The event featured an exhibition of fresh produce such as paprika, along with popular Korean processed foods like ramen and beverages. Visitors enjoyed sampling and tasting, participated in hands-on experiences such as making gimbap, and watched cooking demonstrations including samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). A special highlight was a cooking show where a renowned culinary expert prepared bibimbap using gochujang and paprika—popular export items to Japan—followed by a talk show on healthy Korean food culture, deepening the audience’s understanding of K-Food.
Osaka Expo & Korea-Japan Diplomatic Relations 60th Anniversary Friendship Banquet
That evening, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka co-hosted the “Osaka Expo & Korea-Japan Diplomatic Relations 60th Anniversary Friendship Banquet.” The event gathered over 100 distinguished guests from both governments, legislative bodies, business sectors, and related organizations.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, outstanding Korean agricultural products such as kimchi, paprika, traditional liquors, and fresh produce were displayed. The banquet menu featured a collaborative course meal created by chefs from Michelin-listed restaurants “Onjium” (Korea) and “Cenci” (Japan), including appetizers, fish dishes, naengmyeon (cold noodles), bibimbap, and desserts. Notably, Korean rice recently exported to Japan and kimchi made by Master Yoo Jung-im, officially designated by the Ministry, were served—adding special significance to the event.
In his speech, Vice Minister Park Beom-soo of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, “The food cultures of Korea and Japan are valuable assets we can proudly share with the world,” adding, “I hope our two countries will continue to deepen and expand our friendship through everyday exchanges, including food.”
1:1 Export Consultation Meetings Between Korean Exporters and Japanese Buyers
On Wednesday, May 14, an export consultation event was held in Tokyo, bringing together 39 Korean exporting companies and around 200 Japanese import buyers. A variety of K-Food items such as red ginseng, dumplings, pajeon (Korean savory pancake), kimchi, and makgeolli (rice wine) were showcased. Buyers from major cities as well as second-tier regions like Kyoto and Hiroshima participated. A special section also allowed buyers to display promising new products to local distributors, helping to expand regional distribution networks and strengthen direct consumer engagement.
Vice Minister Park encouraged both Korean exporters and Japanese buyers during the consultations, stating, “The 2025 Osaka Expo (April 13–October 13) will be a critical opportunity to revitalize Korean agri-food exports to Japan, which have recently stagnated.” He added, “The government will actively support efforts to expand exports through premium agri-food production, global distribution and marketing, and the establishment of sustainable partnerships.”
[Editor Junbeom]
