When World Leaders Visit Korea, It’s the Food That Makes Headlines

[mediK / HEALTH IN NEWS] World leaders descending on South Korea this week have sparked something unexpected: a full-blown K-food frenzy. Amid packed schedules of summits and state dinners, the moments that truly captured global attention weren’t handshakes or press conferences—they were meals. From late-night fried chicken and beer to humble bowls of beef soup— and even a pastry that left even China’s president smitten—Korean food has stepped out of the diplomatic shadows and into the spotlight.

1. Jensen Huang’s Chicken-and-Beer Summit and the “Gganbu(깐부)” Connection

“Gganbu means friend, right?”

The iconic line from Netflix’s Squid Game echoed through a packed chicken restaurant in Seoul’s Samseong-dong when NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang sat down with Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Chairman Chung Eui-sun. The trio gathered for an impromptu chimaek (fried chicken and beer; 치맥) session. The gathering took place at Gganbu Chicken (깐부치킨), a chain whose very name plays on the drama’s term for sworn ally. Adding to the charm, the dinner was reportedly orchestrated by Huang’s daughter, Madison, who insisted her father experience an authentic Seoul night out.

The ripple effect was immediate. The restaurant—now jokingly dubbed a new pilgrimage site—sees lines forming before opening, and the table where the trio sat is limited to one-hour sittings. In a single evening, technology titans, pop-culture nostalgia, and Korea’s beloved casual dining ritual collided, reminding the world why chimaek has become a global symbol of Korean conviviality.


2. Hong Kong’s John Lee and a Steaming Bowl of Gomtang(곰탕) in Gyeongju

While in Korea for the APEC summit, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee slipped away from official events for a solo mission to Gyeongju’s central market. His destination: Yangbuk Restaurant (양북식당), famous for its seolleongtang-style beef soup made from simmered ox head and offal, known simply as someori gomtang (소머리곰탕). After savoring the rich, milky broth, Lee declared it “warm and familiar, much like the flavors of home.”

Word spread quickly across social media in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Soon, the modest market stall found itself packed with overseas visitors eager for the same comforting bowl. Once a locals-only secret, Gyeongju’s traditional markets and their hearty, long-simmered soups have quietly joined the must-try list for any K-food traveler.



3. Xi Jinping and the Irresistible Allure of Hwangnam Bread

A single offhand compliment from Chinese President Xi Jinping—“I enjoyed the bread very much”—was all it took. The object of his praise: Hwangnam-ppang (황남빵), the buttery, red-bean-filled pastry that has been a specialty of Gyeongju’s Hwangnam-dong neighborhood since 1939.

Lines at the flagship shop promptly stretched to three hours. Chinese tourists, already fond of the treat, were further enchanted by the character 皇 (hwang, meaning “imperial”) in the name—a linguistic wink that felt almost destined. What began as a diplomatic gift has turned into one of the strongest endorsements Korean regional baking has ever received.

In a week dominated by high-stakes talks, it was the simplest pleasures—crispy chicken skin, soul-warming broth, and a golden pastry—that stole the show. Korean food, once again, proved it speaks a universal language.



Oh Ha Eun medi·K TEAM press@themedik.kr

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