ASEAN Pavilion brings Southeast Asian flavors to Mokpo
ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Jae-shin, center, poses for a group photo with ASEAN ambassadors to Korea at the ASEAN Pavilion during the 2025 Namdo International Culinary Expo at Mokpo Culture & Arts Center, Oct. 2. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre
Chuseok travelers who were looking for a taste of Southeast Asia didn’t need to board a plane this year. Instead, some headed to Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, where the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) opened the ASEAN Pavilion at the inaugural Namdo International Culinary Expo, transforming the city into Korea’s newest hub for ASEAN flavors.
The pavilion, which ran from Oct. 1-5 at Mokpo Culture & Arts Center, showcases the culinary heritage of the 10 ASEAN member states under the theme “The Taste of Herbs & Spices: Ten Nations, One Flavorful Journey.” The event is the first culinary initiative since before the COVID-19 pandemic hosted by the AKC, which was established in 2009 to strengthen ties between ASEAN and Korea.
In his opening remarks on Oct. 2 AKC Secretary General Kim Jae-shin said the pavilion symbolizes more than food — it represents cultural connection.
“Since its founding in 2009, the ASEAN-Korea Centre has sought to deepen friendship between ASEAN and Korea in many fields — economic, social, cultural and, of course, culinary,” Kim said. “This event is our first food-related program since before COVID-19, making it especially meaningful as a chance to reconnect through the universal language of food.”
Kim emphasized the choice of Mokpo as the venue, describing the city as an ideal setting.
"Mokpo, often called the breadbasket of Korea, is a fitting host for this Pavilion,” he said. “Just as Southeast Asia’s coastal cities and islands rely on fresh seafood and aromatic ingredients, Mokpo’s rich agricultural and marine resources allow us to highlight complementary flavors that connect Korean and Southeast Asian culinary traditions.”
The Pavilion featured signature dishes curated by ASEAN embassies in Korea, including Laotian stir-fried rice noodles (khua mee), Malaysian coconut rice (nasi lemak), Myanmar’s noodle soup (mohinga), Singapore’s kaya toast and Vietnamese fresh spring rolls (nem cuon). Interactive booths allow visitors to explore ASEAN’s famed herbs and spices such as lemongrass, pandan leaf, shallot and coconut, while everyday snacks, drinks and instant noodles offer a taste of daily life in the region.
ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Jae-shin delivers opening remarks at the ASEAN Pavilion during the 2025 Namdo International Culinary Expo at Mokpo Culture & Arts Center, Oct. 2. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre
The event was also a source of pride for South Jeolla Province’s large Southeast Asian community.
According to local officials, more than 37,000 ASEAN nationals live in the province, with about 3,000 residing in Mokpo alone.
Kim noted their importance in fostering cultural diversity: “In this fast-changing global era, it is more important than ever to understand and appreciate those with whom we share our communities. For Southeast Asian nationals living in Korea, this pavilion is a space to take pride in their heritage. For local Koreans, it offers a chance to experience ASEAN’s diversity firsthand.”
The pavilion also marks the first major initiative following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the AKC and South Jeolla Province on Aug. 4. The agreement, supported by the 10 ASEAN embassies in Korea and Daelim University, paves the way for expanded cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange.
“This pavilion is also the first step under our new partnership with South Jeolla Province,” Kim said. “I am delighted that ASEAN flavors can be shared with the Korean public here in Mokpo, in such a meaningful way.”
Local officials hailed the pavilion as both a cultural showcase and an opportunity to boost tourism. South Jeolla Province Gov. Kim Yung-rok joined the opening ceremony alongside the 10 ASEAN ambassadors to Korea.
Kim closed his speech with an invitation to the public: “I warmly invite the people of Mokpo and South Jeolla Province to join us in this culinary journey through Southeast Asia. As you savor the flavors and aromas, I hope you will also discover the rich histories, cultures and values that connect ASEAN and Korea.”
Organizers say they hope the pavilion will serve as a bridge, connecting Korean audiences with ASEAN not only through food but also through deeper cultural understanding.