Celebrity chef on mission to promote Korean snack foods in New York

Chef Jung Ji-sun speaks during a ceremony at Government Complex Seoul, May 19, following her appointment as an honorary ambassador for the country’s Day of Islands on Aug. 8. Yonhap

By Ko Dong-hwan

• Published Jun 30, 2025 11:58 AM KST
• Updated Jun 30, 2025 6:11 PM KST

Celebrity chef Jung Ji-sun is promoting Korean snack foods at a major international food event in New York.

The owner and chef of Tian Mimi, a Chinese restaurant chain in Seoul, is participating in this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show, which began Sunday (local time) and runs through Tuesday.

As North America’s largest specialty food and beverage trade show, this year’s event features around 2,600 companies and is expected to attract more than 40,000 attendees.

Korean snack foods, often referred to as street foods, include tteokbokki, or spicy simmered rice cakes, instant noodles, blood sausage, fish cakes and an assortment of deep-fried options such as squid, vegetables and shrimp. These snacks are commonly sold on streets at popular tourist spots and local markets throughout the country, as well as in dedicated restaurants.

Jung, known as the “queen of dim sum,” showcased how to cook instant noodles and other snack foods using an instant noodle cooker, demonstrating that Korean snacks and delicacies can be conveniently prepared with everyday kitchen appliances.

With Korean cuisine enjoying a surge in global popularity thanks to K-pop artists and aggressive market expansion by companies, consumers in Western countries are increasingly interested in not only enjoying these foods but also making them at home.

Jung, who appeared on the 2024 Netflix hit "Culinary Class Wars" and various other TV shows, also introduced meal kit sauces she has developed to target consumers in the United States.

She studied gastronomy at Yangzhou University in Jiangsu Province, China.