'Hansik' joins Milan expo menu
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An artist’s conception of the Korean Pavilion at the Expo Milano 2015, which kicks off on May 1. A moon jar, a traditional Korean porcelain container used for storing food, inspired the design of the Korea Pavilion building. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
By Lee Min-hyung, Kim Jae-heun
Traditional Korean foods or “hansik” will be promoted at the upcoming Expo Milano 2015 under the theme “Hansik, Food for the Future: You Are What You Eat.”
To raise awareness not only for Korean cuisine, but also for a balanced diet, the restaurant Korea Pavilion will offer six menus based on three themes — “Harmony,” “Healing” and “Health” — during the six-month food event, which kicks off on May 1.
“Our goal is to let the world know Hansik could be a good alternative foods for the future,” said Park Min-gwon, first vice minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. “We hope to discuss issues regarding sustainable foods during the expo.”
“Bibimbap,” a popular Korean rice-based dish, will represent the “Harmony” menu because it is usually served with a colorful array of vegetables. During the expo, it will also be served with seaweed.
Leonardo Simonelli, president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK, gives a speech during the Area Meeting of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Asia and South Africa at Seoul Partners House, in Hannam-dong, Seoul, April 24. / Courtesy of ITCCK
The “Healing” menus include “ssambap” or vegetable-wrapped rice and “galbi-jjim” or braised short ribs.
The Health menus are represented by fermented foods, including kimchi.
Bibigo, a chain of restaurants owned by CJ Foodville, is in charge of running the Korean restaurants during the expo.
“We frequently held food tasting events targeting Italian chefs and restaurant staff,” said Kim Byung-pil, a Bibigo executive chef.
“The Korea Pavilion restaurant will serve not just our traditional foods, but also grocery items used for making Korean foods,” Kim said. “The foods and grocery items will help visitors see, taste and feel our traditional cuisine.”
Noodles with vegetables and white kimchi represent the “health” menu at the Korea Pavilion restaurant.
The design of the Korea Pavilion building was inspired by a “moon jar,” a traditional Korean porcelain used for storing foods. It is the ninth largest building among those of the expo’s 145 participating countries.
The Korean restaurant will be located on the first floor of the three-story building during the expo. The second floor will be used mainly for exhibitions about Korean foods. The exhibitions are organized around three themes: “What Our Bodies Tell Us,” “Hansik, Ask and Korean Wisdom Shall Answer” and “Hansik, Food for the Future.”
The opening ceremony of the Korea Pavilion building will be held at 4 p.m. on May 1.
“Bibimbap,” a popular Korean rice-based dish with assorted vegetables, represents the “harmony” menu
Italian Chamber of Commerce holds Expo Milano 2015 seminar in Seoul
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ITCCK) held its area meeting at Seoul Partners House, Friday, to discuss ways to foster cultural exchanges between Italy, Asia and South Africa during and after Expo Milano 2015.
Ten representatives of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Asia and South Africa attended the meeting to identify ways to promote the food expo.
“The cultural ties between the countries are very important for the growth of peace and general exchanges,” said Roberto Martorana, secretary-general of the ITCCK.
“Learning about the culture of foreign countries can help people enrich their own culture, satisfy their curiosity and spread knowledge about the world’s histories and traditions.”
“Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life” is the key theme of the upcoming six-month expo, in which 145 countries and some 20 million visitors are expected to participate.
The “healing” menu includes “ssambap” or leaf-wrapped rice and “galbi-jjim” or braised short ribs. / Courtesy of Bibigo
Area meeting
Leonardo Simonelli, the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the U.K., began the session by emphasizing the need for active communication between the chambers in the different countries and sharing of ideas in the increasingly connected and small world.
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, a country from which the Milan expo expects one of the largest numbers of visitors, continues to get recognition for promoting the country on a global scale.
“The Chinese consider this expo as a good opportunity to show the country’s achievement,” said Franco Cutrupia, the president for the chamber in China. “They started practically with the Olympic Games in Beijing and the Shanghai Expo, in 2010. The expo in Milan is definitely a big occasion for them. They are very good at promoting themselves.”
Nicolas Piccato, the president of the ITCCK, sees a bright future for hansik in Italy.
When asked if Korean cuisine can compete with Italian cuisine, Piccato said “‘Compete’ would not be the right word, because each food is based on a culture, and culture is one of the only things in life that increases in richness and value when we share it.
“I definitely think Korean cuisine can succeed in the world, and it has already been successful. I remember learning about Korean cuisine and how it is made by combining textures, colors, cold and hot temperatures in the winter and summer. I think because of this, it appeals to everybody in the world,” Piccato said.
Four other officers of the chambers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, and South Africa participated at the area meeting in Seoul to share their ideas, even though their chambers will not participate at the Milan expo.
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao explained that last year’s Umbrella Movement negatively affected the local economy, reducing the number of Chinese visitors to the country. However, Hong Kong’s economy is still very much connected to that of Mainland China, which has played a major role in the investment industry ever since Hong Kong was handed back to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
Ruslan Volpi, the secretary-general of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, sees the benefits of this event as well.
“Although the Philippines will not be participating in Expo Milano 2015, many Filipino entrepreneurs are eagerly participating at the Italian event,” Volpi said.
“The expo will definitely help strengthen the relationship between two countries.”