Basically, the article states that Japanese and other Asian ethnic restaurants are “stealing” Korean culinary delights and are making a profit. Whomever wrote this article is quite the moron….especially when he fails to take note that Koreans make a “stealing” by selling Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese food as well. He or she needs to come to Los Angeles and see how Koreans can smell a cash cow when it comes to selling foreign food.
Amid a cluster of offices on Third Avenue sits a Japanese restaurant whose signboard greets diners with the words “Gyu-Kaku, Japanese BBQ Dining.” As you enter, waiters and waitresses of various ethnic backgrounds African-Americans, Indonesians, Thais and Tibetans shout “Iratshaimase!” (”welcome” in Japan). By 12:30 p.m. all 100 seats are filled. “It’s not easy to find empty seats during lunchtime or evening peak time,” says a Tibetan employee…
At the same hour, a Korean restaurant run by Koreans on 32nd Avenue in Manhattan is full of only Korean customers — Korean-Americans, representatives of Korean companies and tourists. Worldwide, the popularity of Korean food is growing due to people’s perception that it is healthy and to the spread of the Korean Wave. But it is Japanese restaurants that reap the profits.
Experts say Gyu-Kaku has succeeded in marketing Korean foods worldwide thanks to packaging. Korea lags behind Japan in marketing, including how to serve food, create a customer-friendly atmosphere and serve seasonings and condiments palatable to local customers.
Japan is not the only country that is “stealing” Korean traditions. Singapore is a city state where all kinds of foods from around the world are fiercely competing with each other. A total of 212 restaurants were last year rated Singapore’s Top Restaurants. Only one Korean was on the list — Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng Chicken & BBQ” Unfortunately, it is run not by a Korean but by a large Singaporean restaurant chain…
The number of restaurants selling “Korean” food is growing. But it is foreigners who make the money.(Chosun)
What’s so “unfortunately” about it? He should take it as a compliment and take pride in the fact that others do find value in Korean recipes. I guess I can understand why the writer would feel embarrassed that foreign owned Korean restaurants do better business than Korean owned ones…but he/she should know there is balance to the world. Kabuki Sushi restaurant is a popular Korean owned chain that I’m sure does more business than a Japanese owned one down the street.
This isn’t anything that new, other Asian cultures stealing Korean things and trying to make them their own. Korea has perservered for thousands of years from its giant neighbors, and still has managed to come out with a unique culture, food, language, and inventions.
I think it’s called YAKUNIKU in Japan. I used to watch a lot of shows and things (especially dealing with Morning Musume/Hello! Project) and they always wanted yakuniku. I later found out when Gotou Maki went to Korea, that the Yakuniku in Japan… was something else in Korea….
-sLaVe
I made a shitty post…