CreatripTeam

The 20th Food Week Korea at COEX in Seoul (until June 1) highlighted the rising global appeal of Korean sauces, or "K-sauces." Domestic brands such as Nongshim, Samyang and Paldo showcased modernized versions of traditional condiments, including a new K-sauce line ‘Ketchup’ (K-첩) that adapts gochujang (Korean red chili paste) flavors for easier international use. The event featured a popular “House of Sauce” tasting zone with sample booths, recipe cards, pairing suggestions and SNS promotions. Paldo introduced three ‘Holik’ sauces (ssamjang, Korean BBQ, gochujang) with recommended pairings, while startups like Ketchup emphasized making Korean flavors accessible to foreigners. The exhibition also promoted ramen-related products and offered export consultations for small food exporters; Korea’s sauce exports hit record highs last year and continue to grow. Food Week Korea runs with 950 companies from 42 countries, showcasing the industry’s future from premium foods to smart distribution and farmtech.