Korean-style fried chicken is the most popular Korean dish among non-Koreans worldwide according to a survey released on Jan. 7 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. (Kyochon F&B)

By Xu Aiying and Yoon Sojung

Korean-style fried chicken is No. 1 on the list of the most popular Korean foods among non-Koreans worldwide, surpassing kimchi and bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and vegetables).

This is according to a survey released on Jan. 7 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Conducted last year, the survey found that Korean-style fried chicken earned 13.3% of the votes, followed by kimchi with 11.9% and bibimbap with 10.3%.

By region, 12.8% of respondents in North and Central America chose bulgogi (marinated grilled beef) as their favorite Korean food, while 12.6% of those in Europe selected bibimbap. Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) was particularly popular in Northeast Asia with 11.6%, kimchi in Southeast Asia with 14.9%, and japchae (glass noodles with meat and sauteed vegetables) in Oceania, South America and the Middle East with 7%.

On the other hand, the least popular Korean food was alcoholic beverages with 14.1%. Thirty percent of the respondents said they disliked the texture of Korean booze, while 23.3% cited lack of knowledge on the ingredients used.

Among respondents who both cook and eat Korean food, 33.6% said kimchi was their most frequently consumed Korean food, followed by bibimbap with 27.8% and Korean-style fried chicken with 27.9%.

The survey said the overall satisfaction of Korean food was 81.3%, up a tenth of a percentage point from the previous year. Most people overseas were also found to consider Korean food "spicy" (32.5%), "unique" (32.4%), "popular" (29%) and "diverse with various side dishes" (28.8%).

The ministry conducted the survey online last year in August and September on 8,000 people in 16 cities including Beijing, Tokyo and London.

xuaiy@korea.kr