Seoul Food & Hotel, an annual international food and hospitality trade show, returned to the KINTEX exhibition center this week, with more than 1,600 exhibitors from 45 countries offering everything from artisanal cheeses and halal cuisine to smart kitchen innovations and startup food-tech. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
SEOUL, South Korea — From the scent of freshly baked pastries wafting through the convention halls to the sight of a robotic chef slicing up piping-hot pizzas, Seoul Food & Hotel 2025 is serving up a feast for the senses — and the future.
The annual international food and hospitality trade show returned to the KINTEX exhibition center this week, with more than 1,600 exhibitors from 45 countries offering everything from artisanal cheeses and halal cuisine to smart kitchen innovations and startup food-tech.
Seoul Food & Hotel, an annual international food and hospitality trade show, returned to the KINTEX exhibition center this week, with more than 1,600 exhibitors from 45 countries offering everything from artisanal cheeses and halal cuisine to smart kitchen innovations and startup food-tech. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
For attendees, the four-day expo is more than a buffet of free samples. It’s a window into the evolving world of food and hospitality — a convergence of traditional flavors and cutting-edge technology that’s reshaping the way we eat, cook and connect.
In one of the most talked about corners of the exhibition, visitors lined up for a slice of pizza made entirely by a robot. Nearby, chefs led hands-on demonstrations while vendors poured small cups of specialty tea and offered background stories rich with cultural history.
At one Korean tea booth, a vendor animatedly introduced a hibiscus blend while explaining its health benefits and preparation techniques.
Organized by KOTRA and Informa Markets, the show also features a culinary challenge in which chefs compete in live cook-offs. Throughout the venue, seminars and networking spaces provide places for entrepreneurs and buyers to exchange ideas and form international partnerships.
The show runs daily through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets cost 30,000 won, or about $22.
