WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The aroma of traditional Korean food descended on the Harry S Truman Building, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of State, in Washington on Tuesday.

Around 300 people packed a ballroom in the building to get a taste of Korean cuisine such as Bulgogi (barbecued beef), Gujeolpan (platter of nine delicacies), Japchae (noodles with assorted vegetables), and Bibimbop (bowl of rice mixed with vegetables and the spicy sauce of Gochujang).

"It's fantastic. A little bit hot but so delicious," a department official said, eating Bibimbop during lunch time.

The event, titled "Discover the Secrets of Korean Food," took place as part of efforts to promote Korean food and culture, timed with Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month here.

"I am so proud to have an opportunity to show off Korean cuisine at the federal organization of the U.S.," said Woo Young-hee, a well-known Korean chef who led the preparations for the food.

It was co-organized by the Korean Embassy in the U.S., Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corp. and the Korean Heritage Foundation (KHF).

"We held Korean food-tasting events in front of Capitol Hill last year and this year. Now, we have advanced to the State Department," KHF head Yoon Sam-kyun said.

He said his agency plans for similar events at the Defense Department and Agriculture Department.