'K-Chicken Belt' Linking Regional Chicken Dishes and Local Attractions Launched Nationwide... "To Be Developed as a New Culinary Travel Course"

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Announces Plan to Establish “K-Chicken Belt”

The “K-Chicken Belt,” an initiative to transform the entire Republic of Korea into a “global gastronomic hub,” is now being launched. The government plans to establish culinary hubs not only for chicken but also for a variety of chicken dishes from across the country—such as Chuncheon’s Dakgalbi and Andong’s Jjimdak—by linking them with local history, culture, and specialty products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs officially announced its plan to establish the K-Chicken Belt at the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center on March 19, 2026.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained, “The K-Gastronomy Belt is a project designed to attract both domestic and international tourists by connecting local specialties and dishes with regional attractions, thereby revitalizing local economies. Since 2024, gastronomy belts themed around sauces, kimchi, ginseng, and traditional liquor have been established and operated. This year, we plan to build a Chicken Belt centered on chicken—the most popular Korean food among foreigners—which will encompass a wide range of chicken dishes including Samgyetang and Dakgangjeong.”

The K-Chicken Belt will link a variety of regional chicken dishes with local history, culture, and specialty products to form a unified K-Gastronomy Belt. For example, signature dishes such as Chuncheon’s Dakgalbi, Andong’s Jjimdak, and Mokpo’s chicken dishes, as well as hidden local eateries and the “33 Best K-Local Gastronomy Tours” selected by the Korea Tourism Organization, will be closely connected to create global culinary hubs that attract international tourists.

Through this project, the government also aims to establish a model of mutual growth with local farmers. Signature menus featuring regional specialties such as Uiseong garlic and Changnyeong onions, as well as various experiential programs linked with local tourism resources, will be introduced. In addition, the existing manufacturing infrastructure of the chicken industry will be developed into tour and experiential programs, providing sensory-rich tourism resources.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will also launch a nationwide event called “My Own K-Chicken Belt (Pilgrimage Site),” encouraging public participation. Anyone can recommend hidden local chicken eateries, chicken dish districts, or places with related historical stories, which will be considered for future development of the Chicken Belt.

Minister Song Miryeong of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, “Chicken is a representative K-Food enjoyed by people around the world. We will work closely with the chicken and tourism industries to ensure that the K-Chicken Belt becomes a new culinary travel course for visitors to Korea and develops into a global gastronomic hub for people worldwide.”

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