Korean Food Culture Gains Ground in Nigeria As Male Chef Breaks Hansik Contest Barrier

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigeria’s growing fascination with Korean culture has taken a significant leap in Abuja as Victor Mac-Adonai has emerged winner of the third edition of the Hansik cooking competition, becoming the first male champion since the commencement of the contest.

The event, organised by the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, brought together young culinary enthusiasts eager to explore the depth of Korean cuisine and its cultural heritage. 

The competition was hosted at the RED Dish Chronicles Culinary School in the Central Business District of Abuja

Beyond the excitement of the contest, the event underscored the growing cultural exchange between Nigeria and South Korea, particularly through food, music and youth engagement.

Twenty participants initially registered online for the contest themed ‘The Soul of Hansik,’ which challenged contestants to demonstrate a deep understanding of traditional Korean cuisine. 

After several rounds of intense cooking sessions and evaluation by professional chefs, the field was reduced to eight finalists.

At the end of the competition, Favour Dajibesh secured third place, while Oluwasegun Faith finished as runner-up.

Mac-Adonai clinched the top prize after impressing judges with his interpretation of a classic Korean dish and his understanding of the cultural philosophy behind it.

His winning dish, Doenjang Jjigae, a traditional soybean paste stew widely regarded as a symbol of Korean comfort food, captured the essence of the competition’s theme.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mac-Adonai described his victory as both personal and symbolic.

“I wanted to make history as the first male winner of the Hansik contest. I prepared Doenjang Jjigae, a dish often described as the soul of Korea, and I believed it perfectly reflected the theme of the competition,” he said.

He also revealed plans to expand his culinary vision by launching a Nigerian brand of Ramyun noodles in collaboration with Korean production companies.

Director of the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, Jeon Ju Ho, said the competition is part of broader efforts to deepen cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and South Korea.

According to him, the centre is using food, music and other cultural platforms to build stronger people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“This year’s theme, ‘The Soul of Hansik,’ encourages participants to explore the deeper meaning of Korean cuisine. Many people in Nigeria are still unfamiliar with Korean food, especially because there is currently no dedicated Korean restaurant in Abuja. Events like this help bridge that gap,” he said.

Judge and culinary expert, Godfrey Mario Odo, praised the contestants for their creativity and dedication, noting that many successfully blended Korean culinary techniques with locally sourced ingredients.

The competition also featured cultural performances by graduating students of the K-Pop Academy, further reflecting the rising influence of Korean pop culture among Nigerian youth.

Observers say the Hansik contest is gradually evolving into an important platform for culinary innovation and cultural exchange, as Nigerian chefs increasingly experiment with Korean flavours while adapting them to local tastes.

With interest in Korean cuisine steadily rising across the country, organisers believe the competition could eventually pave the way for new culinary collaborations and even the establishment of Korean restaurants in Nigeria.