Talented young chefs from CJ Foods’ Cuisine.K Project bring the unique culinary essence of Korea to the Opening Ceremony of 2024 Paris Olympics Korea House
Talented young chefs from CJ Foods’ Cuisine.K Project delivered a specially curated menu of 18 Korean fusion dishes to over 150 distinguished guests at the opening ceremony of Korea House, the official Paris 2024 Olympic Games hub for South Korean athletes and visitors. Held in the heart of the French capital, the event brought a taste of Korea to the opening week of the Games.
For the event, CJ Foods brought together six chefs to form “Team Cuisine.K,” an experienced line-up of individuals who had previously worked on a range of global Korean food projects, including pop-up dining experiences and cultural exhibits called “K-stage.” Together, the team strived to develop an array of appetizers, mains and beverages that broke from traditional Korean culinary norms. Combining seasonal French ingredients with Korean fermented foods, they were able to showcase the boundless possibilities of Korean cuisine, in keeping with the official Paris Olympics theme, “Games Wide Open.”
Among the standout dishes were those crafted using products by globally recognized K-food brand, bibigo, as well as five creatively-reimagined signature dishes from the top-rated Korean restaurants of Paris*, as selected by the Korean Food Promotion Institute, HANSIK.
*The five dishes and their respective Korean restaurants were: Black Sea Bream Tacos (SOON Grill), Chilled Chicken Soup (JONG NO Samgyetang), Blood Sausage Skewers (SAMBUJA), French-style Vegetable Noodles (MA-SHI-TA) and Pork Belly with Shrimp Paste Aioli (YIDO).
bibigo’s Tteokgalbi Skewers reinvent the traditional Korean dish tteokgalbi, also known as Korean Beef Patties. By slow-cooking the meat in a bourguignon-style stew with red wine, the classic Korean flavors take on a French-inspired flair while maintaining the chewy, moist texture of tteokgalbi. Paired with confit potatoes, the dish offers a convenient, bite-sized experience.
The Pickle Mushroom Tart is a unique fusion dish that blends upscale French ingredients with Korean flavors. It features pickled morel mushrooms, a luxurious French touch, paired with truffle paste and tofu spread. The tart combines elements from both cuisines, layering roasted lotus root with a soy milk-based sauce and topping it with the pickled morels. Inspired by Korean side dishes, this tart reimagines familiar ingredients in a fresh, innovative way.
Dakgangjeong, or bibigo Crunchy Chicken, consists of delectable chicken bites tossed in a special sauce, and covered with crispy brown rice. The dish captivated guests and received praise for its distinctive K-Chicken flavor.
The Royal Perilla Seed Tteokbokki also captivated guests, earning high praise with comments like, “It was impressive to experience the refined taste and style of K-food.” The dish was celebrated for capturing the true essence of K-food in Paris, the world’s epicenter of gourmet cuisine.
Two non-alcoholic cocktails were also prepared. The first, ldH, the namesake for which was inspired by an internet meme, where the Korean characters for the word “pear” comedically seemed to spell “ldH” to non-Korean speakers. Fittingly, pear is the main ingredient, with Korean mint leaves representing bibigo’s signature green color.
The Solabon cocktail features a vibrant orange color, representing the brand accents of the Korea Food Promotion Institute, HANSIK. Made with a base of pine leaf extract and Hallabong citrus, a Korean variety of orange known to grow on Jeju Island, this drink offers a refreshing blend of pine’s crispness and Hallabong’s tangy brightness.
Despite preparing 250 servings, more than originally planned, all 18 dishes had been finished in 30 minutes, highlighting the enthusiasm of attendees.
Cuisine.K plans to continue its efforts to promote Korean culinary culture through various initiatives, including hosting global Korean food cooking competitions and supporting Korean food pop-up restaurants all over the world.
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, CJ Foods signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with both the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and the Korean Food Promotion Institute, aiming to elevate and broaden the reach of Korean cuisine and culture in the buildup to this year’s Games. Throughout the Olympics, the organizations are collaborating on mutual efforts and promotions to spread Korean food and culture, both at home and on the global stage.
