사우디에서 확산되는 한국 음식

Korean food has been gaining growing attention in Saudi Arabia alongside the spread of Korean popular culture. As the number of Korean restaurants gradually increases, it has become a common sight to see local Saudi diners seeking out not only Korean barbecue and fried chicken but a wider range of Korean dishes — tteokbokki, gimbap, japchae, and more.

Koyee Opens in Riyadh and Al Khobar — Betting on Authentic Korean Cuisine

Koyee, located in Riyadh, opened in February this year, with its Al Khobar branch officially opening on 3 December. The Al Khobar branch offers a more casual dining format compared to Riyadh, where every table is equipped for barbecue, and the restaurant presents an elegant, clean atmosphere rooted in Korean interior design.

▲ Koyee Riyadh — exterior — Source: correspondent's own photograph

▲ Koyee Riyadh — interior — Source: correspondent's own photograph

The correspondent is a regular visitor to Koyee Riyadh, having experienced there the kind of authentic Korean food that is genuinely rare to find in Riyadh. Set meals come with dolsot rice, and after the meal, hot water can be poured in to enjoy nurungji (scorched rice) — an experience that makes a lasting impression even on those unfamiliar with Korean food. The dessert menu features bingsu in various flavours, presented with a dry-ice decoration that catches the eye.

▲ Korean BBQ and set meal at Koyee — Source: correspondent's own photographs

▲ Patbingsu dessert served with dry ice — Source: correspondent's own photograph

During a recent visit, the correspondent spoke briefly with Koyee Riyadh's general manager, Bae Yong-hwi. He explained that Koyee was opened out of a commitment and mission to bring real Korean food to local diners, starting from the observation that there are simply not many proper Korean restaurants in Riyadh. Where some local Korean restaurants opt for fusion menus, Koyee decided to compete on authentic Korean cuisine — keeping recipes unchanged and aiming to replicate exactly the flavours sold in Korea itself.

Asked about the local response, Manager Bae expressed deep gratitude to Saudi diners. He described being genuinely moved by the warmth and enthusiasm of Saudis toward Korean food on many occasions. Among Saudi visitors who had travelled to Korea, some had been disappointed by the different tastes at other Korean restaurants in Riyadh; after trying Koyee, they had expressed satisfaction at being reminded of the Korean food they had eaten during their travels. He also noted that some guests come specifically to experience in person the Korean food they had seen in Korean dramas and films.

▲ Koyee Riyadh outdoor seating area — Source: correspondent's own photograph

The Spread of Korean Restaurants and Local Media Coverage of Korean Food

Beyond Koyee, restaurants combining Korean and Japanese cuisine — such as ramen specialists — have also opened in recent years, with the correspondent visiting several on multiple occasions. Korean street food specialists such as Hankki are also accessible via delivery apps, lowering the barrier to entry considerably. The correspondent has experience of ordering delivery from such restaurants for parties with foreign colleagues — chicken, tteokbokki, and gimbap — and sharing the meal together. At these gatherings, where each person brings something to contribute, yangnyeom (marinated) chicken in particular drew an enthusiastic response. Several colleagues subsequently told her they had gone on to order delivery from the same restaurants with their families, expressing high satisfaction.

▲ Korean food at a party with foreign colleagues — Source: correspondent's own photograph

Local lifestyle outlet Time Out Riyadh also featured ten Korean restaurants in Riyadh, highlighting how interest in and consumption of Korean food has continued to grow on the back of the popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop.

▲ Time Out Riyadh coverage of Korean restaurants in Riyadh — Source: Time Out Riyadh

As Korean restaurants continue to open steadily, the news is welcome both for the Korean diaspora abroad and for Korean culture fans. Local residents unfamiliar with Korean food are also finding more opportunities to encounter it. Against this backdrop, the spread of Korean food within Saudi Arabia looks set to continue on a positive trajectory.