Beyond Buldak: How Europe Is Discovering Korean Food in Its Own Way

For many international fans, Korean food often begins with one familiar name: Buldak spicy noodles. But across Europe, the K‑food wave is turning out to be far more diverse, surprising, and culturally unique than anyone expected.

As K‑pop, K‑dramas, and Korean lifestyle continue to spread across the globe, European consumers are developing their own tastes for Korean cuisine. And interestingly, each country seems to be choosing a different favorite.

Ramen Rules in the UK, Seafood Shines in France

The United Kingdom currently leads Europe as the largest importer of Korean food. In 2024 alone, Korean food exports to the UK reached approximately 130 million dollars, showing rapid year‑on‑year growth.

What do British consumers love most? Ramen.

Nearly 40 percent of all Korean food exports to the UK were instant noodles, proving that spicy ramen remains the strongest gateway into Korean cuisine. Seaweed and kimchi followed behind, but noodles clearly dominate British shelves.

France tells a completely different story.

Rather than ramen, French consumers are choosing Korean seafood. Frozen tuna accounted for nearly half of Korea’s food exports to France in 2024, while ramen ranked much lower. Ready‑to‑eat meals like bibimbap, japchae, and kimchi products are also gaining popularity as home‑style Korean dishes enter European kitchens.

Spain and Italy Prefer Ingredients Over Instant Meals

In southern Europe, Korean food is being embraced in a more culinary way.

Spain’s fastest‑growing imports are squid, tuna, and other seafood products, along with sauces and cooking pastes such as gochujang and seasoning blends. Instead of ready‑made meals, Spanish consumers are using Korean ingredients to create their own fusion dishes at home.

Italy follows a similar pattern. Traditional food culture remains strong, and seafood leads the market, with frozen tuna taking the top position. While ramen and tteokbokki products are slowly appearing in stores, Korean food in Italy is still at an early stage, gradually blending into local cooking habits.

Northern Europe Embraces Both Spice and Sauce

In Sweden, Korean food shows a more balanced trend.

Ramen remains the top product, but items like beverages, seaweed, and especially gochujang are gaining attention. The rising popularity of Korean chili paste suggests that Northern European consumers are becoming more adventurous, experimenting with Korean flavors in everyday cooking.

Why Europeans Are Falling for Korean Food

Across the continent, awareness of Korean food is rising quickly.

Recent surveys show that more than 90 percent of consumers in Spain, the UK, and France have purchased Korean products or services within the past year. Health perception plays a major role. Fermented foods, vegetables, and balanced meals give Korean cuisine a reputation for being both flavorful and nutritious.

The growth of K‑culture has also played a powerful role. As fans follow Korean idols, actors, and influencers, curiosity naturally extends from music and fashion to food.

Trade agreements between Korea and Europe have further helped Korean brands enter the market under favorable conditions, making products more accessible to international buyers.

A Market Full of Opportunity, and Challenges

Europe is now one of the world’s largest food consumption markets, with the average European consuming more food per year than any other region globally. For Korean brands, the potential is enormous.

However, challenges remain. Korean food products are still less diverse compared to Chinese or Southeast Asian imports, and prices are often higher. Strict European food regulations also make exporting complex, especially for processed products containing animal ingredients.

Still, experts agree that the future looks promising.

As more Europeans discover Korean flavors through travel, streaming platforms, and social media, K‑food is gradually becoming more than a trend. It is evolving into a long‑term cultural bridge connecting kitchens across continents.

For foreign fans, the message is clear: Korean food is no longer just about spicy noodles. From seafood to sauces, from instant meals to home‑style cooking, Europe is writing its own chapter in the global K‑food story.

Wikipicky explores how K‑culture continues to influence lifestyle, taste, and trends around the world.