Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited a restaurant participating in the city's "Tongkwaehan Hanki" (a satisfying meal) initiative on Thursday to thank the owner and gauge public response to the program promoting healthy eating habits among citizens.
Tongkwaehan Hanki is part of the "Healthier Seoul 9988" project announced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in September last year. The policy enables diners to choose multigrain rice instead of white rice at participating restaurants. The city grants the "Tongkwaehan Hanki" certification mark to restaurants that meet standards including using at least 25 percent mixed grains, and provides promotional support through its website and social media channels.
More than 3,700 restaurants have joined the program in just six months. These establishments offer menus featuring various grains such as barley, oats, and millet.
Mayor Oh visited "Insadong Boribap," a certified restaurant in Insadong, Jongno-gu, and ordered a traditional Korean set meal featuring rice mixed with 50 percent barley, served with marinated crab and seasoned vegetables.
"Citizens who only ate white rice are now naturally choosing multigrain rice, and we're seeing changes in their tastes and health," Oh said. "We will continue building an urban environment where people can manage their dietary health alongside programs like Wrist Doctor 9988 and Seoul Fitness Test."
The city is also launching "Tongkwaehan Sikgu," a team of 100 supporters comprising university students and young professionals, to promote the initiative. The supporters will visit certified restaurants to experience the menus and atmosphere, and spread healthy eating culture to citizens through social media.