FOOD CULTURE OF CONTEMPORARY KOREANS IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Food is one of the most significant aspects of Korean diaspora culture in Kazakhstan and is an important element of traditions, yet little is known about the food culture of the Koreans of Kazakhstan. Previous studies concerned such topics as the history of deportations, language, and identity, but food culture has been poorly studied. This research aims to unpack the contemporary food culture of the Koreans in Kazakhstan, and to identify the influence of local culture and the current popularization of South Korean culture on Kazakh Koreans’ food practices. The results of this study show that there is a unique ‘taste’ of Korean food that they say distinguishes them from other nationalities in Kazakhstan; there is a local ‘taste’ that they incorporated into their daily cuisines and small ceremonies, which showed how nativized people are to the region; and there is a new South Korean ‘taste’ that they are nowadays implementing to their food culture, thus increasing their cultural capital. Despite this variety of options, the main traditional ceremonies of Koreans are prepared only with traditional dishes that have specific meanings, and such tradition is continued and respected by all generations.