Goheung Yuzu and Scallops Captivate the Palates of World Leaders

Popular at Korea-U.S. Summit and APEC Official Banquet
Goheung Scallops Demonstrate Competitiveness in the Global Gourmet Market

At the end of October, pristine ingredients from Goheung County in South Jeolla Province captured the palates of world leaders, as they were featured at both the Korea-U.S. summit luncheon and dinner in Gyeongju, as well as the official banquet of the APEC summit.

On October 29, at the Korea-U.S. summit luncheon held in Gyeongju, Goheung scallops were served as an appetizer. These scallops, raised in clear and clean waters, are known for their firm texture and exceptional flavor. They are characterized by their fresh ocean aroma and subtle, sweet umami taste.

Goheung Yuzu.

That evening, Goheung yuzu sorbet was served as dessert at the dinner, showcasing the refreshing and rich fragrance of pure yuzu and a clean, crisp taste. This not only contributed to a warm and friendly atmosphere between the two countries' leaders, but was also recognized as a meaningful menu item that highlighted the excellence of Korean agricultural and marine products to the world.

Goheung County is known as the “paradise of seafood,” boasting a wide variety of marine resources. Local seafood such as scallops and abalone are already highly regarded for their freshness and quality. In particular, Goheung scallops are recognized as premium ingredients with strong competitiveness in the global gourmet market.

Furthermore, at the official banquet of the 2025 APEC summit held on October 31, a special agricultural product from Goheung was served as the official toast beverage. “Horangi Yuzu Saengmakgeolli,” a fresh rice wine crafted by Bae Hyejeong Brewery using domestic rice and Goheung yuzu, was chosen as the official toast drink, drawing the attention of world leaders.

This makgeolli features the refreshing and rich aroma of yuzu, using undiluted Goheung yuzu juice grown in a pristine maritime climate. With a low alcohol content of 5 percent, it aligns with the recent global trend toward health and balanced food culture, captivating the tastes of leaders from around the world.

Goheung is blessed with abundant sunlight and gentle sea breezes, creating optimal conditions for yuzu cultivation. The yuzu produced here is regarded as “premium yuzu” due to its high juice content, sweetness, and intense aroma. Beyond traditional processed products such as yuzu tea, syrup, and jam, Goheung yuzu is now gaining attention in the global market as an innovative ingredient in beverages and traditional liquors.

An official from the county’s Agricultural Policy Division stated, “The use of Goheung scallops and yuzu at the Korea-U.S. summit luncheon and dinner, as well as the APEC official banquet, is a truly meaningful example of local agricultural and marine products being recognized for their world-class quality. We will continue to foster the food industry centered on Goheung’s outstanding ingredients, nurtured by its pristine sea and abundant sunshine, and do our utmost to promote the brands ‘Goheung, the Home of Yuzu’ and ‘Goheung, the Seafood Paradise’ to the world.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.