Only one day remains until the opening of the World Exposition Milano 2015. Starting May 1 under the theme of "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life," the expo will continue through to October 31. Some 145 countries are participating in the expo this year.

The Korean Pavilion in Milan will promote Korean cuisine under the banner "Hansik, Food for the Future: You are What You Eat." Its opening ceremony is set to take place at 4 p.m. on the first day of May on the outdoor stage. The restaurant located on the first floor of the pavilion will serve six special dishes based on three themes: harmony, healing and health. Using common ingredients, all the dishes are mainstream Korean menu items, such as bibimbap, a harmonious combination of rice and assorted vegetables, fermented sauces, made by peoples' wisdom and patience, and kimchi, known to be quite a healthy food.


Two types of bibimbap -- a combination of rice, sauces and assorted vegetables -- are on the harmony menu. It's common for people to add red chili paste to their bibimbap, but the pavilion will offer lemon-flavored soy sauce for those who might not be familiar with spicier food. Seaweed bibimbap is another option. It includes a variety of seafood and edible seaweed items on top of the rice and vegetables. It goes well with chili pepper paste and vinegar. Along with the main dish, shrimp and jellyfish salads and kimchi will also be served.


The healing menu includes braised short ribs (galbijjim) and charcoal-grilled pork (maekjeokgui). Both dishes use soy sauce made from soybeans that have fermented for quite a long time, giving a strong yet sweet flavor, very much loved by many diners. It's served with rice wrapped in lettuce with a little bit of sautéed hot pepper paste and soy nuts.


The health menu includes white kimchi (baekkimchi) noodles and kimchi with stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables (japchae). The key ingredient in the two dishes is kimchi, known for being rich in lactic acid bacteria and for its anti-aging qualities. The white kimchi, with a slightly sour taste, is in harmony with capellini noodles. Stir-fried with a variety of vegetables and glass noodles, japchae is served with red kimchi, ready to tantalize visitors' taste buds.

Elsewhere in Italy, a special exhibitions is currently open in downtown Rome, part of the expo's pre-opening events. The "Invitation to Korean Dining" exhibition introduces both traditional and modern Korean cuisine. It brings together paintings, handicrafts and installation art, including table settings for both meals and drinking. On display is an old lunch box, alcohol bottles and gourd ladles, as well as a small portable dining table (a soban) and bowls and plates made by contemporary artists.

More information about the Korea Pavilion at the World Exposition Milano 2015 is available at its website.
http://expo.visitkorea.or.kr/eng

By Lee Seung-ah
Photos: Korea Tourism Organization
slee27@korea.kr