South Korea Presents A Menu Inspired By Local Wisdom To Dinner APEC Leaders

President Lee during the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders 'meetings. (Source: Presidential Office)

JAKARTA - Gyeongju-inspired culinary and star-studded cultural performances are in the main spotlight at the official welcoming dinner of APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, Friday, organized by President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, the presidential office said.

This highly anticipated dinner jam is the culmination of a series of official APEC events in which drinks are served, ranging from non-alcoholic chocolate to alcoholic beverages of traditional Korean rice, showing a slick blend of protocol and Korean cultural diplomacy.

President Lee held an official dinner at the Lahan Select Hotel for about 400 guests of honor, including leaders of 21 APEC member states, representatives of international organizations to CEOs of multinational companies.

The Presidential Office stated that this official dinner was designed to be a meaningful event in which Korean culture, technology, and commitment to work together throughout the Asia-Pacific region are smoothly connected, reported The Korea Times November 1.

This dinner arrangement features a carefully curated menu, developed with the help of a Korean-American celebrity chef, Edward Lee, who aims to showcase traditional and innovative sides of Korean cuisine, partnering with Lotte Hotel to create dishes that combine traditional Korean and Western cuisine.

The presidential office stated that the menu uses materials from the host cities, Gyeongju, and North Gyeongsang Provinces around it, thus maximizing the effects of global promotion for Korean food.

This dish serves Korean staple food such as namul bibimbap (nation mixed with mixed vegetables) and galbijjjim (boiled cow's brother) which uses local Gyeongju ingredients.

The opening dish in the form of soft tofu and sneezing in a soft sauce, breaking the common misconception that Korean cuisine is always spicy. This dish also uses pine beans and crabs to represent the economic unity of the Pacific region in APEC.

The desserts served include boxed rice cakes (pasta soybeans fermented) with grilled soybean powder and pies made from grilled pine beans. The cakes are served in a traditional Korean pearl box that guests can bring home as souvenirs.

Official drinks for the dinner of the main leaders are Hirangi Draft Yuja (sitron) Makgeolli, a traditional Korean alcoholic drink.

The careful selection of drinks reflects Korea's efforts to accommodate various international tastes, religious requirements, and personal preferences of guests.

The dinner continued with a cultural performance hosted by actor and singer Cha Eun-woo, with various performers such as K-Pop G-Dragon icons, Honey J and Leejung dancers, as well as 11-year-old violin player Kim Yu-na.

Earlier, at a presidential dinner on Wednesday for the leaders of the country present, including United States President Donald Trump, a patterned fermented tea drink from the local brand Hyo House, marking the first time the Korean government has offered tea to host major events. The dinner celebration introduces Korean culinary and culture.

Meanwhile, in APEC CEO Summit the day before, in addition to two local award-winning wines from North Gyeongsang Province, the dinner menu features traditional cuisine in discussions of local properties such as hanwoo beef from Gyeongju and East Sea tilings, as well as a selection of halal and vegan dishes, with desserts including Gyeongju iconic snacks such as Hwangnam-ppang, pastries containing sweet red peanut paste.