{
  "id": 19610058,
  "title": "Seoul serves up steamed rice as next big tourist attraction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/seoul-serves-up-steamed-rice-as-next-big-tourist-attraction-19610058",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T06:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20261112/seoul-serves-up-steamed-rice-as-next-big-tourist-attraction"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul is exploring a new way to attract tourists by turning its traditional food culture into a culinary experience. The city's government recently hosted a K-Rice Pairing Experience, inviting 12 international students from Korea University to discover the unique qualities of Korean rice. The event was held at the Seoul Herbal Medicine Center and aimed to showcase the flavors, aromas, and textures of three different rice varieties grown in various regions of South Korea. Participants not only sampled the rice but also paired it with traditional side dishes and alcoholic beverages made from rice, such as salted pollock roe, roasted seaweed, kimchi, and rice wine. The experience began with participants opening rice cookers to enjoy the aroma of freshly cooked rice. Seoul hopes that this type of local, everyday food tourism will appeal to a wider range of visitors, moving beyond the usual sightseeing destinations.",
  "summary": "A bowl of steamed rice, an everyday staple in Korea, could become an unexpected draw for international tourists as Seoul looks to turn its traditional food culture into a new form of culinary tourism. The Seoul Metropolitan Government held a K-Rice Pairing Experience on Wednesday at Seoul Herbal Medicine Center, inviting 12 international students from Korea University to explore the flavors,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}