Korean culture has made a noticeable buzz in Cairo over the last few years, with particular attention to its food scene. Culturally driven food connoisseurs are oftentimes finding themselves wandering into Korean restaurants, curious to try something new. Korean restaurants have been around in Egypt for a while now, more particularly found in culturally diverse areas like Maadi and Zamalek. They are often small and hidden, but when you step inside, it is a whole other world. Egypt and Korea have been connected for years, with celebrations like ‘Korean Culture Week’ and Korean culture catapulting young Egyptians to study the language at universities. The culture’s list of admirers grew even more in Egypt with the film ‘Parasite’ winning the Best Picture Academy Award in 2019, shifting attention to Korean film and media beyond the diehard K-Pop and K-Drama fans that preceded the wave. The spotlight hit Korean showbusiness again when the popular boyband BTS performed in the 2021 Grammys and when the hit show ‘Squid Game’ aired on Netflix in 2021. In 2020, Egypt had the fastest growth rate in terms of consumption of Korean music, which garnered 33 percent…
From Fried Chicken to Tteok-bokki: The Ultimate Guide to Korean Food in Cairo
February 12, 2022
