The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently organized a unique "Taste of Salam Seoul" event at N Seoul Tower, showcasing halal foods creatively prepared by Korean chef Edward Kwon. This event, held in conjunction with the ongoing Taste of Seoul week, aimed to address the concerns of Muslim tourists, with over half of them emphasizing the need for improved food options in Korea. Chef Edward Kwon, drawing from his experience at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, presented five distinct halal dishes that combined Middle Eastern and Korean culinary styles, ensuring accessibility for all, including Muslims.
The main dish featured lamb chops with a fusion of Middle Eastern baba ghanoush sauce and Korean soybean paste, while another item combined hummus with Korean-style braised abalone. Attendees praised the new halal-style foods and expressed plans to introduce them in their respective countries. Following the successful event, the dishes introduced during the Taste of Salam Seoul will be officially available at The Place Dining, a restaurant in N Seoul Tower, starting in November.
This initiative is part of Seoul's broader efforts to create a more welcoming environment for Muslim tourists from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Kim Young- Hwan, the director general of the Tourism and Sports Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, emphasized the city's commitment to facilitating the travel experience for these visitors, ensuring they can enjoy diverse gourmet options without inconvenience. Additionally, CJ Foodville, the catering service company managing the restaurant, acknowledged the growing concerns about providing halal food and anticipates the event to contribute to offering a wider array of dining choices to tourists from these regions. Seoul is actively working to identify more restaurants that cater to Muslim tourists, demonstrating its dedication to enhancing the tourism environment for travelers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/09/113_359778.html
