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Lee showcases Korean cuisine, culture for Trump at summit luncheon, special dinner
The Korea-U.S. summit luncheon in Gyeongju, Wednesday, features an appetizer of Korean seafood with Thousand Island dressing, left, a dish made with braised U.S. beef ribs and newly harvested rice, center, and a tangerine dessert. Courtesy of the presidential office
By Jun Ji-hye
A special meal was served to pay particular tribute to U.S. President Donald Trump as an honored guest during the Korea-U.S. summit luncheon in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday.
President Lee Jae Myung and his U.S. counterpart held high-stakes summit talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings held in the city renowned for its history.
According to the presidential office, the fusion Korean dishes, crafted from ingredients sourced nationwide and tailored to Trump’s tastes, were designed to symbolize and celebrate the future of the strong alliance between Seoul and Washington.
The appetizers combined Korean seafood — shrimp from Sinan, scallops from Goheung and abalone from Wando — with Thousand Island dressing, representing the success story of Trump’s home state, New York.
The main course blended Korean and American flavors, featuring newly harvested rice from Gyeongju, braised short ribs made with U.S. beef and side dishes, including chestnuts from Gongju, radishes and carrots from Pyeongchang and mushrooms from Cheonan.
For the sweets course, gold-decorated brownies and tangerine desserts were served on plates embellished with the word "PEACE!" symbolizing hopes for a prosperous and enduring friendship between the two countries under Lee and Trump.
At the special dinner hosted by the Korean president later in the day, guests enjoyed a high-end, multi-course meal highlighting premium Korean ingredients.
The menu featured dumplings stuffed with Yeongwol black chicken and truffles, sirloin steak and pine mushrooms from Gyeongju, flatfish from Pohang and caviar from fish raised in the pristine Mount Jiri region.
The meal was paired with wines from the Trump Winery, operated by the U.S. president's second son Eric Trump, including Trump Chardonnay and Trump Cabernet Sauvignon, to honor the distinguished guests.
Lee attracted attention during the day by wearing a gold-colored tie with a Hangeul motif, specially designed to honor the U.S. president.
The presidential office explained that the gold tie symbolized the promising future of the bilateral alliance and Korea’s emergence as a global cultural powerhouse through its culture, and was also a nod to Trump's well-known preference for the color.