"A 100 out of 10" Impeccably Balanced Meals... Global Media Spotlight on 'K-School Lunches' [K-holic]

Korean School Lunch Culture Gains Attention Abroad
Diverse Menus and Balanced Meals Win Popularity

Editor's NoteInterest in Korean culture is rapidly growing around the world. Korean-related products and content, such as K-food and K-beauty, are permeating the daily lives of overseas consumers far beyond a select group of enthusiasts. [K-holic] sheds light on the 'Korean Wave' being spotted all over the globe and explores why international consumers are paying close attention to Korea.

As the United Kingdom is significantly strengthening school lunch standards in an effort to tackle childhood obesity, Korean school lunch culture is drawing attention from abroad. Foreigners are showing keen interest in Korean school lunches, which offer a variety of menu options and well-balanced meals.

"A 100 out of 10 meal"... Korean School Lunches Receive High Praise

A Japanese influencer visited a high school in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and posted a video introducing the school lunch. Instagram

The British media outlet Daily Mail recently focused on Korean school lunches, comparing them to the UK's revamped lunch policy set to begin in 2027. The outlet reported, "Videos showing Korea's school lunch culture are gaining attention worldwide," adding, "Students are served a balanced meal every day, including noodle dishes, salads, and soups."

On social networking services (SNS), photos and videos are being shared of students eating meals that include multigrain rice, soup, kimchi, and various side dishes—all served on metal trays. A Japanese influencer who introduces world food culture visited a high school in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to showcase the Korean school lunch scene. The video revealed a menu featuring rice balls, banquet noodles, yukjeon (pan-fried beef), fried dumplings, stir-fried fish cakes, kimchi, and dessert. It also showed students waiting in line for their meals and greeting the cafeteria staff.

Korean school lunches are characterized by a balanced meal consisting of rice, soup, and three to four side dishes. Unlike in some countries where processed or convenience foods dominate, Korean lunches are managed by nutritionists and focus on a variety of freshly prepared dishes. Notably, school lunches have long been established as a universal part of educational welfare in Korea. According to "Our Education in Data," released by the Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Institute in March 2026, as of 2024, 5.17 million students at 12,047 schools nationwide use school lunches daily, with an impressive usage rate of 99.9%.

This lunch culture continues at the university level. Foreigners living in Korea have also expressed high satisfaction with university cafeteria menus. Botswana native Bontle Nawa described her meal as "a 100 out of 10," while Sonu, a student at Seoul National University, remarked that "it is possible to have a meal for less than one dollar." In particular, the "1,000-won breakfast" policy, which provides a hearty meal for a very low price, has also received praise. Under this initiative, students pay 1,000 won, with the government and others covering the remaining cost.

Even Lobster in School Lunches..."Korean Lunches Require Considerable Effort and Preparation"

Lobster dish served in school lunch. Reddit.

Korean school lunches also gained attention on YouTube last year. Nick DiGiovanni, a food YouTuber with 37.2 million subscribers, compared school lunches from over 30 countries and ranked Korea in the top S tier, along with Nigeria and Ethiopia. The video highlighted reactions such as "Korea does meat well" and "Korean food is known for its plentiful variety of side dishes, and school lunches are no exception." The video has garnered over 49 million views.

Thanks to their balanced meals and systematic management, Korean school lunches are recognized abroad for their competitiveness. The program is characterized by a system in which nutritionists manage the menus and even consider the development of healthy eating habits among students. William Pacheco, an American elementary school teacher working in Daegu, said in an interview with Newsweek in June last year, "Korean school lunches require much more effort and preparation," adding, "It is not just about putting packaged food on a tray or heating something up in a microwave." He continued, "Lobster was served on a special occasion, and I was amazed that children had the opportunity to experience such food," noting, "There is a great diversity of dishes."

Meanwhile, the UK government is pushing to drastically strengthen school lunch standards to address childhood obesity. The main points of the reform are a total ban on fried foods and restrictions on foods high in sugar, fat, and salt. Under the new plan, all fried foods, including French fries and chicken nuggets, will be excluded from school lunches, and high-fat, high-salt convenience foods such as pizza, pastry, and sausage rolls will also be restricted.

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