A Weekend at K-Food Fair 2015

Food brings people together. A series of events and food tasting as well as booths introducing Korean culture filled the main atrium. So we weren't surprised to see how packed the K-Food Fair Indonesia 2015 at Kota Kasablanka the past weekend.

The event was collaboration between Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT). The weekend event is a follow up to the seminar which was held on Friday at Hotel Mulia. It's time to eat and have fun!

On the opening ceremony, we’re invited to see the making of 42-metre Kimbab. Kimbab is a korean dish made of rice and seaweed as the main ingredients. Everything else is personalized. “Kimbab was chosen because we want everyone to know that Korean food can have many variations, which can be adjusted to region and seasons,” said Jae Su Kim, the president at Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation.

We lunched at Kyochon with the popular mix wings (99k) which come in original, honey and red series. Original is crunchy and crispy, coated with soy garlic glazed. Red series is hot and order only if you're brave enough to try Korea's hottest chili peppers. Honey series introduces the sweet 24-hour marinated chicken. Or you can try its Toppoki (Rp50k), Korean popular rice cakes cooked with spicy and sour paste. Mandarin Chicken Salad (49k) is served on the side. If you’re still hungry, order the Galbi Chicken Steak with Kimchi Fried Rice (69k). The sweet, sour and spicy combination will get you to crave for more.

Mandarin Chicken Salad

Mix Wings at Kyochon 

Galbi Chicken Steak with Kimchi Fried Rice

Spicy Toppoki at Kyochon

Returning to the main atrium, there are an array of events and booths (with more food to try for FREE) waiting for us. All you have to do is walk around the area, line up and decide which one you like the best. One part of the exhibition that’s interesting (other than the Hanbok photo session) is the Korean Halal Food wall located across the traditional game area. There were different Korean snacks and food which some we’re familiar with, displayed on the Halal wall under the explanation about the Halal Food certification system in Korea. 

The Halal K-Food Wall Display

Booths giving out Free K-Food samples

The popular restaurants are participating too

Even with the big lunch served, we’re still curious about the K-Food available on display. Food tasting brought us to the cheese instant Toppoki (called Yoppoki) while we spent the early afternoon watching the dance cover and martial art show. The original Toppoki, like the one served at Kyochon, tends to be spicy. Although maybe for us, Indonesians, the spicy is still quite mild. Toppoki is a popular street food/snack in Korea and these days they come with different flavors and even fusion style like Carbonara, cream or cheese sauce.

Unfortunately, looking at the line at Hanbok photo area, we decided to skip that and tried the origami instead. We could have stayed all afternoon. But, we went home with full stomach, happy feelings and more knowledge about Korean Food. Nothing can beat that weekend!