Abuja: An analyst, Ms. Deborah Olabelurin, has emerged winner of the second edition of the 2025 ‘Hansik’ (Korean food) contest final round held in Abuja, carting home a N1 million cash prize and a trip to Korea.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Hansik is widely celebrated for its freshness, varieties, well-seasoned ingredients, and high health benefits. In 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) selected Hansik as a ‘model’ for nutritional balancing. The Hansik contest with the theme ‘Share your Love for Jang-based Korean Food’ was in celebration of the UNESCO registration of Jang Culture (Jang Korean Sauces).
The competition, organized by the Korea Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) in collaboration with the Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI), had 12 finalists with two teammates, and Olabelurin emerged as the winner. The Hansik competition focused on Jang Korean Sauces and featured Korean foods tasting such as cup Ramyeon, cup Tteokbokki, cup Bibimbap, Dakgangjeong, and Japchae by Nigerians who are enthusiasts of Korean culture.
Ms. Igbayilola Olowu secured the second position, winning N700,000 cash, while Mrs. Patience Berepele, who came third, took home a cash prize of N400,000. Olabelurin, expressing her excitement, shared that she was initially hesitant about participating this year after her elimination at the finals in 2024 but was encouraged by the extension of the deadline.
For Olowu, a student, the competition deepened her appreciation for Korean culture, especially in using ‘Gochugaru’ to prepare Korean food. Mrs. Patience Berepele, former winner of the maiden edition in 2024, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate again.
Mr. Kim Changki, Director of KCCN, emphasized that the Hansik contest aims to promote Korean culture and has fostered synergy between Nigerians and Koreans, especially in food culture. He indicated that the contest will persist beyond his tenure, acknowledging the Nigerian interest in Korean culture.
Ms. Yunjin Lee, Event Manager of KCCN, highlighted the significance of integrating K-pop into the Hansik contest to enhance the event’s appeal. She noted that participants competed under the theme of ‘Jang’, with Jang Korean dishes prepared by the contestants.
Chef Godfrey Odoh, Vice President of Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN), and one of the judges, commended the competition’s focus on ‘Jang’, a fundamental ingredient in Korean cuisine. The event also featured performances by ‘Jumparewa’ K-pop dancers and various challenges like the Korean spicy challenge and ‘Chopsticks’ game challenge.