Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung on June 29 announces the initiative K-Gastronomy Journey at Government Complex-Sejong in Sejong.

By Lee Dasom
Photos = Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

A new initiative for culinary tourism and experiences for both domestic and international visitors will come next month.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on June 29 held an event for media, influencers and travel industry representatives to announce the K-Gastronomy Journey, an initiative opening in the second half of the year. The meeting's purpose was to promote domestic food culture as a global travel asset and spearhead the development of culinary tourism.

Unveiled at the event was the K-Chicken Belt, an online platform featuring a map of 30 famous chicken and poultry restaurants nationwide that serve as a culinary tourism resource by providing information on tourist attractions, festivals, traditional markets, and rural experience and vacation villages.

The featured restaurants were selected through public participation events nationwide, recommendations from local governments and on-site visits. Highlights include the chicken gizzard alley in Daegu, muldakgalbi (spicy water-boiled chicken stew) in Taebaek. Gangwon-do Province, and multi-course chicken dining in Haenam-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province.

Starting with the belt next month, the ministry will launch tours featuring traditional liquor in August and Hansik (traditional cuisine) in September with designated master chefs.

October through November will see Korean food-related events like the K-Food Festa (Oct. 23–Nov. 20); Hansik Festa (Oct. 23–25); Food Week Korea; (Nov. 4–7); Korean Sool Grand Festival (Nov. 13–15) and Kimchi Festival (Nov. 20).

A "rural healing stay" from July to December will offer visitors the experience of the beautiful natural scenery of rural areas along with their agricultural specialties.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung said, "Korean food and Hansik have established themselves as a cultural phenomenon, so starting with the K-Chicken Belt, we plan to continuously identify and foster content linking diverse regional food cultures with tourism."

Map of K-Chicken Belt