Korean food agency promotes hansik in Barcelona with cooking shows, university class

The Korea Agrofood Institute of Hansik promoted Korean cuisine through a series of programs in Barcelona, Spain, it announced Wednesday.

The events were held as part of North Jeolla Province's "2026 North Jeolla Public Diplomacy Festival" project.

From Friday to Sunday, the institute staged a Jeonju bibimbap cooking show and operated a hansik booth at Mercat de Mercats, Barcelona's flagship food festival. Kimchi pancakes and a range of specialty products from North Jeolla Province were also introduced at the event.

On Monday, the institute held a hansik class for students at CETT — the University of Barcelona's school of hotel management, tourism and gastronomy — introducing Jeonju bibimbap and traditional Korean fermented condiments.

Lee Gyu-min, chairman of the Korea Agrofood Institute of Hansik, said the events offered a chance to introduce Korean food culture directly to diverse audiences in Barcelona, one of the world's leading culinary cities. "We will continue to pursue a wide range of exchanges to spread K-food overseas," he added.