Busan is good

Busan Hosts the 2025 Food Culture Improvement Program Performance Conference as a Global Culinary City

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will hold the 2025 Food Culture Improvement Program Performance Conference today (December 22) at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Conference Room at City Hall.

The conference was organized to share exemplary cases from the food culture improvement programs carried out throughout the year by Busan Metropolitan City and its districts and counties, and to recognize and encourage outstanding organizations and individuals for their contributions.

The event will be attended by approximately 100 participants, including public officials in charge of food culture improvement programs from all 16 districts and counties, as well as representatives from sanitation-related organizations and relevant institutions.

The program will proceed in the following order: awards for outstanding organizations and commendations for meritorious contributors, a special lecture by an expert, presentations of best practices, and a presentation on the achievements of Busan’s culinary policies.

Each year, Busan Metropolitan City evaluates the food culture improvement programs of its 16 districts and counties to foster an improved dining environment, selecting and awarding outstanding organizations. This year, Yeonje-gu and Haeundae-gu were selected as “Excellent,” while Jung-gu, Geumjeong-gu, and Gangseo-gu were named “Outstanding.”

In particular, Jung-gu will present a best-practice case highlighting its efforts to build a foundation for culinary tourism in preparation for an increase in domestic and international visitors following the opening of the Bujeon–Gangneung railway line and the revitalization of the North Port Opera House and North Port Marina.

This year, Jung-gu produced a culinary guidebook titled Masitday (DAY) and distributed it at major tourist information centers and hotels across Busan. The guidebook also includes QR codes linked to the district’s official website, providing restaurant information and offering visitors access to a wide range of dining recommendations and culinary content.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City will present mayoral commendations to individuals recognized for their contributions at the Busan International Food Expo and the Busan Marina Chef Challenge held in September, as well as to restaurant operators who have contributed throughout the year to improving food culture and promoting healthy dietary practices. The city will also introduce the major culinary policies it has pursued and the achievements of related initiatives this year.

To further promote Busan as a culinary city, Busan Metropolitan City has implemented a variety of initiatives this year, including support for foreign-language menus at restaurants, hosting Busan food festivals, producing “Taste of Busan” content, developing Busan food (B-FOOD) recipes in collaboration with outstanding local food companies, supporting the Michelin Star Road program, and operating the Neo Busan Chef Project.

Cho Gyu-yul, Director General of the Citizens’ Health Bureau, stated, “Looking ahead, Busan Metropolitan City will continue to work in close cooperation with the private sector to build a foundation for becoming a world-class culinary city in preparation for the era of five million international tourists. We will also expand exchanges with leading global culinary cities and continue to introduce diverse culinary events that both citizens and visitors can enjoy together.”

He added, “This performance conference is a meaningful occasion to share and encourage best practices for the growth of the dining environment. Through this event, we expect public officials and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of related policies, further strengthening Busan’s competitiveness in food culture.”