From Ramen to Bingsu: Korea’s culinary wave sweeps India

India and its love for Korean culture is no new news. From binge-watching K-dramas to dancing to BLACKPINK and BTS, the wave of Korean influence has firmly anchored itself in the country’s pop culture. But now, it’s not just music and TV dramas, it’s the cuisine that’s sizzling its way into Indian hearts and stomachs.

A surge on Korean food orders

Swiggy’s latest food trend report reveals a remarkable statistic, a 50% year-on-year jump in Korean food orders across India. Even more interestingly, this growth isn’t restricted to major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru. Non-metros are driving the K-food craze too, with cities like Surat and Mysuru recording a whopping 59% surge in orders.

This rise signals a shift: Korean cuisine is no longer a niche urban experiment. It’s becoming a part of the mainstream dining experience, reaching small cities and towns where adventurous eating is on the rise.

Gen Z loves Korean food

While millennials have embraced sushi, artisanal coffee, and gourmet burgers over the past decade, Gen Z is championing Korean food. Their curiosity and exposure to global trends, thanks to platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube, have created a perfect storm for K-food to thrive.

For Gen Z, it’s not just about eating; it’s about experiencing culture through food. From uploading Instagram-worthy shots of sizzling tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to sharing noodle-slurping challenges, Korean cuisine is as much a social media moment as it is a meal.

From Cheesy Buns to Fiery Ramen

The variety of dishes now popular in India is impressive. Cheesy Korean buns, known for their stretchy mozzarella centres, are seeing brisk orders. Fiery ramen is now a comfort meal for many. Korean fried chicken, kimchi pancakes, and bibimbap bowls have made their way into restaurant menus and cloud kitchens alike.

Fusion experiments are also gaining traction. Indian chefs are blending Korean flavours with local ingredients, think masala kimchi or tandoori gochujang wings — giving diners the best of both worlds.

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The McAloo Tikki Goes Korean

In a playful twist, McDonald’s has stepped into the trend with its Korean McAloo Tikki Burger. This fusion item has unexpectedly topped Swiggy’s Korean-inspired order charts. Paired with the tangy Yuzu-Pop Sprite, it’s a fast-food nod to the nation’s growing appetite for Korean flavours.

This mainstream endorsement of K-flavours by a global giant like McDonald’s shows that Korean cuisine isn’t just a passing fad — it’s here to stay.

What’s next for Korean food?

If the past year’s numbers are any indication, the next wave of Korean trends in India could be even bigger. Korean street-style cafes may mushroom in tier-2 cities. Traditional desserts like bingsu (shaved ice with sweet toppings) or hotteok (sweet pancakes) could be the next trend. And with K-dramas continuing to romanticise Korean food, every steaming pot of kimchi jjigae or bubbling cheese tteokbokki onscreen is an ad in itself.

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From pop music to plated meals, Korea’s cultural exports are finding a ready audience in India. And as Swiggy’s data shows, the hunger is real — both for the flavours and the cultural connection they bring.