Korean MILITARY AND ITS CONNECTION TO KOREAN CUISINE by Ben Choi ‘27

Abstract:

This paper explores how the Korean military, particularly during and after the Korean War, played a significant role in shaping modern Korean cuisine. It examines how logistical constraints, food scarcity, and foreign influences led to the adaptation and transformation of military rations into beloved national dishes like budae jjigae and tteokbokki. Through historical analysis and primary sources, this paper demonstrates how military food systems helped preserve cultural identity while fostering culinary innovation. It also highlights how the integration of foreign ingredients during wartime laid the foundation for Korea’s globally recognized food culture. Ultimately, this paper argues that the Korean military’s impact on food history is a vital yet often overlooked element in understanding the evolution of Korea’s cuisine.

Click below to see the whole project:

Korean Military and its Connection to Korean Cuisine: Ben Choi ‘27