The Washington Post Highlights the Kimbap Craze

Recently, not only Korean culture but also Korean cuisine has been gaining significant popularity worldwide. In particular, kimbap has captured the attention of global consumers, with some major U.S. grocery chains like Trader Joe’s experiencing shortages due to soaring demand. The Washington Post (WP) recently spotlighted this trend in an article titled "How Korea’s Kimbap Went from Comfort Food to Global Sensation," analyzing the worldwide appeal of kimbap. The WP credited the hit K-drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo as a key factor behind kimbap’s rising popularity. In the drama, the protagonist Woo Young-woo is the daughter of a snack bar owner and is shown eating kimbap every day. The series includes several memorable lines about kimbap, such as: "Kimbap is reliable. Since you can see all the ingredients at a glance, there are no unexpected textures or surprising flavors."

The WP noted that kimbap's newfound global fame may have stemmed from these scenes. The article stated, "The drama brought rare attention to kimbap, transforming it from a humble picnic staple into a mainstream sensation." Robert Ku, a professor at Binghamton University who has written extensively on Korean culinary history, described kimbap's global rise as "remarkable" and credited Extraordinary Attorney Woo as a powerful catalyst. Korean-American chefs also expressed their fondness for kimbap, calling it "a friend to everyone," and describing it as "a nostalgic and comforting dish that embodies a mother’s love."

(Chosun Ilbo, March 18, 2025)