The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines has opened an interactive exhibition showcasing Korean culinary traditions, inviting Filipino visitors to explore the country’s food culture through a popular comic series.
“Sikgaek: The Journey of Tasting Korea,” presented by KCC, the National Asian Culture Center Foundation and Chonnam National University, opens on Nov. 6 and will run until Feb. 27, 2027.
The exhibition follows chef Sungchan, the main character of “Sikgaek,” a Korean comic created by artist Hur Young-man and first published in 2002. The series has since expanded into various media.
Spread across multiple floors of the KCC building, the exhibition explores five key ingredients of Korean cuisine — rice, kimchi, fermented sauces and pastes known as jang, vegetables and seafood — through interactive activities and installations.
Visitors can begin their journey on the ground floor, where they can find Sungchan’s vegetable truck and use artificial intelligence technology to transform themselves into characters inspired by the comic.
The exhibition also features the author’s archives and digital works at the library, where visitors can explore the comic through an interactive wall and library display.
Along the way, visitors can read memorable quotes from the characters as they move through the building.
On the third floor, the exhibition introduces hansang, a traditional Korean meal served with multiple dishes at once. The display highlights signature dishes representing the five ingredients featured in the comic, illustrating the harmony and balance of Korean cuisine.
The main exhibition occupies the fifth floor, where visitors can explore the stories behind the five ingredients through interactive activities designed to deepen their understanding of Korean culinary traditions.
The experience concludes at a photo zone resembling a traditional Korean alleyway.
During the exhibition’s opening ceremony on Nov. 5, guests also participated in a kimchi-making workshop, offering them a firsthand look at how the traditional Korean side dish is prepared.
KCC Director Kim Myeongjin said the exhibition aims to introduce visitors to Korean culture beyond its cuisine.
“Through this exhibition, we hope to offer visitors not only an enjoyable experience but also a deeper appreciation of hansik, or Korean cuisine, and its important role in Korean culture,” he said.
The exhibition is open to the public from Nov. 6, 2026 to Feb. 27, 2027, Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Korean Cultural Center in Taguig City. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba