K-Food Exports Hit Record High as 'Food as Medicine' Philosophy Goes Global

South Korea's K-food exports have surpassed $10.3 billion through November this year, continuing a record-breaking streak. The most popular Korean dishes among overseas consumers are Korean fried chicken, kimchi, bibimbap, bulgogi, and ramyeon, in that order. The recent Korean food craze has expanded to traditional snacks and desserts such as yakgwa (honey cookies), injeolmi (rice cakes), and nuts. This is driven by the strong Korean Wave and the perception of Korean cuisine as healthy food. Korean food primarily uses vegetables, grains, and fish, with fermented foods at its center. It also has relatively fewer fried or greasy dishes and is lower in calories, aligning well with wellness trends. Traditional food researchers explain that Korean cuisine embodies the principle of "yakshikdongwon" (藥食同源), meaning food and medicine share the same root.

According to the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Koreans' sugar intake from processed foods was 35.5 grams in 2023, accounting for 7.7% of daily caloric intake. This contrasts with most Western countries that exceed the World Health Organization's recommended threshold of 10%. As interest in healthy diets grows, the notion that Korean food is too salty has become outdated. The average daily sodium intake among Koreans dropped 34.5% from 4,789 mg in 2011 to 3,136 mg in 2023. While this is still 1.6 times higher than WHO recommendations, it is generally lower than China, the United States, and Europe.

The European Union is considering introducing a so-called "health tax" on foods high in fat, sugar, and salt starting next year. The aim is to reduce consumption of obesity-inducing foods and use the tax revenue for public health improvement. Several European countries including France and Hungary, as well as Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa, have already introduced health taxes on ultra-processed foods. The WHO is also urging countries to impose higher taxes on alcohol and sugary beverages. As a result, global food companies are undertaking comprehensive recipe overhauls, including increasing the proportion of low-sodium and low-sugar products. Now is the time to promote the Korean food philosophy of "yakshikdongwon" abroad and seize the opportunity to lead the healthy food market.