Chicken tikka, malai kofta, dal tadka, bhindi masala and many other flavours and spices of India are now being relished by South Koreans, as Indian cuisine is wooing more and more taste buds in the east Asian country.
With about 50 Indian restaurants in Seoul catering specifically to the local people, Indian culinary experts are in demand in the east Asian country with Indian food becoming a hit with tourists and locals.
“There is a high demand for Indian food among South Koreans. Indian cuisine is slowly emerging as a hot favourite among locals,” Shrestha Rajesh, president of Mount Fishtail, an Indian and Nepali Cuisine Restaurant, said. “South Koreans and international travellers mostly like dal, aloo gobi, tandoori chicken among others. They prefer tandoori items such as naan and roti, plain, butter and garlic. Many of them like to start with lassi,” he said.
Both local and international tourists have taken a fancy for Jain and Punjabi dishes as well, he said. “Most of them (South Koreans) do not prefer spicy food. However, when it comes to Indian dishes they like it provided we add less masala,” he said. He also said that Indian food is cheaper than Korean food, which also attracts people.
From posh restaurants to large hotel chains and product development kitchens, those trained in Indian cuisine have a great career waiting for them, Shovan Das, (Chef de Partie), Coex International, one of the largest five star hotels in Seoul, said. —PTI