The world can’t get enough of ‘kimchi’, South Koreans apparently can, new data shows
SEOUL, Aug 9 — South Koreans are consuming significantly less kimchi than in the past despite the surge in global...
Seoul, August 9 — Contrary to global fascination with South Korea's national dish, kimchi, domestic consumption has dropped significantly, according to new research. A joint study from Chung-Ang University, Jeju National University, and the World Institute of Kimchi revealed that the proportion of South Koreans not eating kimchi within 24 hours rose from 11.7% in 2010 to 22.7% in 2024.
The decline was observed across both genders, with men seeing a rise from 10.2% to 20.6% and women from 13.1% to 24.8%. The trend was most pronounced among adults aged 20 to 39, where kimchi consumption fell from 82% to 66%. Instead of kimchi, many are incorporating it into other cooked dishes. Socioeconomic factors also played a role, with the lowest-income group consuming more kimchi than the highest-income bracket.
The researchers emphasized that the shift in kimchi consumption reflects broader changes in meal composition and eating habits. They suggested that future public health strategies should focus on promoting balanced diets rather than just encouraging kimchi consumption.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
