An Asiana Airlines flight attendant and chefs from famous restaurants show in-flight meals, which are served to first and business class passengers. / Courtesy of Asiana Airlines

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Asiana Airlines was recognized as a ``five-star'' level carrier by a British transport research company Skytrax, one of the world's five carriers honored with the label, with quite a large portion of the top quality service being attributable to its in-flight meals.

The national flag carrier provides various menus ranging from Korean, Western, Chinese to Italian. It also lists the calorie content of the meals for passengers who want to regulate their calorie intake.

Wine is another factor that enhances the in-flight meal service, as a wine consultant group led by the world's best sommeliers selects the carrier's wines.

The quality service and menu attributed to the airline winning the President Award from the International Food Service Association in 1997 and the Mercury Award from the International Travel Catering Association in 2006.

Asiana's meal service maintains premium quality not only in the prestige classes but also in economy class.

For first class passengers, mealtime flexibility is available so that passengers can have their meal at any time they choose.

The Korean menu for first class services comprise of a seven-course royal feast, developed with the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine. The meal offered on flights to the U.S. or Europe is made to order, where passengers can select seven dishes among the total nine before their departure.

For the Japanese menu, Asiana offers kyo-kaiseki, a traditional multi-course dinner, on the Incheon-Tokyo route. Kyo-kaiseki is a modern version of the traditional kaiseki, a mostly vegetable dish.

For Chinese and Italian menus, the carrier joined hands with famous restaurants. World-class dishes from Chinese restaurant Toh Lim in Lotte Hotel, Taiwanese franchise Din Tai Fung, and Italian restaurant La Cucina are served.

On business class, along with high-quality Korean meals, shokado, a traditional Japanese lunch box-style cuisine, is offered on the Incheon-Tokyo route. The meal is served on lacquerware.

Economy class passengers can also enjoy various Korean meals as well as Japanese, Chinese and Western. One of the favored in-flight meals is ``ssambap.''

Ssambap is a dish where steamed rice and ``bulgogi,'' or barbequed beef, is wrapped with fresh greens. The cuisine satisfies passengers' needs for a tasty and healthy meal.

In all menus, fresh ingredients are used.

Asiana's coffee is also special; it serves coffee recognized by the Rainforest Alliance for cultivating the coffee in an environmentally friendly way.

To enhance the visual pleasure of meals, the carrier recently introduced new tableware. The total 50 piece tableware, designed and produced by Rosenthal, features Asiana's new corporate identity, a V-shaped wing.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr