Why K-Food is becoming a global favourite

Korean food, or more fondly known these days as K-Food, is no longer restricted to South Korea. Over the past decade in particular, it’s been gaining increased popularity and focus across the UK, EU and US, and for good reason!

It’s bold flavours and vibrant colours add fun and excitement to the plate, as well as bringing a whole host of health benefits too. One of the star ingredients that has captured international attention is seaweed. Crispy roasted seaweed sheets provide a delicious, versatile and naturally nutritious snacking choice for people across the globe.

The rise of K-Food

The change in media focus on to health foods or superfoods, alongside the increased excitement around exotic cuisine has sparked a rush in new foods and flavours.

Umami food groups famous in Korea are now a more celebrated choice providing a savoury taste on the palate that complements sweet or salty options. Flavoursome dishes such as bibimbap, kimchi and bulgogi are also fantastic options filled with vegetables, lean proteins and fermented ingredients that promote gut health.

These traditional Korean meals bring a range of health benefits that are less often found naturally in traditional western diets, giving rise to the K-Food trend.

Alongside these traditional Korean menu options, K-Food snacks have also made their way onto our supermarket shelves and into online stores, offering accessible ways for people to indulge in traditional Korean flavours from the comfort of their own home.

Seaweed sheets and their Korean roots

Seaweed sheets have been a staple in Korean kitchens for generations. These dried sheets or ‘gim’ are documented to appear in certain Korean dishes all the way back in the 15^th century, with stories of using them to wrap cooked rice to make bossam.

Today though, they’re used in sushi, rice rolls, soups, salads or noodles, or even enjoyed on their own out of the packet. They’re low in net carbs due to their high fibre content and they’re an excellent source or protein, B vitamins and minerals.

The snacks are convenient, mess-free and full of natural flavours without adding lots of extra calories to your diet. They are a hugely popular choice for busy lifestyles because they’re so versatile and so filling; just a single packet of seaweed sheets can curb your appetite for the day, helping you to reduce your calorie intake using other, fattier or sugar-rich snacks.

Image: MORiSH's gim range – which is your K-Food fave? 

Trying Korean flavours at home

One of the main reasons that K-Food has captured global attention is how easy it is to experiment with and drop into your normal diet.

Roasted seaweed sheets usually come in a variety of flavours. Some are lightly salted, while others might have a mild spice. If you’re looking to start slow, then there’s also a plain option that’s still deliciously packed with umami flavour.

Once you’ve got your favourite flavour home, you’ll be able to add them to a selection of dishes to see what works best for you:

• Try crumbling over a winter soup, spicy noodles or summer salad.
• Wrap your sheets around vegetables like avocado or cucumber for a nutritious snack.
• Curl them into a taco shape and add some spiced meat filling.

These fun ideas can make K-Food a new and exciting choice, even for fussy children or people who are completely new to international flavours.

The future of K-Food

The popularity of K-Food is only growing in the UK and US with Korean seaweed snacks and sheets flying off the shelves. Seaweed consumption as part of a K-Food diet has now gone beyond a just a trend, as many people transition to a healthier and more fulfilling daily diet.

If you want to experiment with this nutrient-packed ocean vegetable, take a look at our article on exploring new and exciting ways to enjoy seaweed. You’ll also find many mouth-watering seaweed recipes in our blog section.

The benefits for the immune system and red blood cell health alongside the studies demonstrating increased cognitive function are enough to secure seaweed as part of our Korean snacking repertoire for centuries to come.

Are you a K-Foodie? Share your feasts with photos and vids on social and tag @morishsnacks – we’re keen to get inspired by you 🥰.