E2024-G044

Gwangju Kimchi Town: From Tradition to Globalization

Narrative

Kimchi is a quintessential Korean fermented food and one of the “Gwangju’s Five Delicacies” selected by Gwangju Metropolitan City. The Jeolla-do region is especially famous for kimchi varieties that reflect local character, such as godeulppaegi kimchi (Korean bitter green kimchi) and solji (chive kimchi). In Gwangju, the Gwangju Kimchi Town offers visitors a place to experience the culture and history of kimchi in one location. Opened in 2010, the Gwangju Kimchi Museum houses over 700 artifacts related to kimchi and Korean dietary culture, and in front of the museum stands the “Kimchi Bus,” which traveled the world for 400 days promoting kimchi. Within the town, the World Institute of Kimchi conducts research to globalize the food, while the annual Gwangju World Kimchi Festival gathers master kimchi makers from across the country, including participants in the Korea Kimchi Contest. Other facilities include a processing factory, a hands-on experience center, and a café for visitors. Gwangju Kimchi Town serves as a cultural hub that connects kimchi production, experience, research, and festivals, acting as a gateway for sharing Gwangju’s kimchi with the world.

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