Korean cuisine gains popularity across India, emerging cities see strong growth

Indians are increasingly exploring Korean culture not only through music and television but also through food. What started as an interest in K-dramas and K-pop is now reflected in everyday dining choices, especially among Millennials and Gen Z.

Internal insights from Swiggy show that orders for Korean dishes on the platform have grown by 50% year-on-year (July 2025 vs July 2024). While metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad continue to place most orders, emerging cities are driving notable growth. There has been a 59% year-on-year rise in Korean food orders from cities such as Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Vadodara, Mysuru, and Mangaluru.

Gen Z plays a significant role in this trend, accounting for 27% of all Korean food orders. The younger generation appears keen to adopt global trends, influencing the popularity of international cuisines in India.

Search patterns show that dishes such as Korean buns, ramen, and chicken are among the most looked-for items. Popular orders include the Korean McAloo Tikki Burger, Korean Corn & Jalapeno Garlic Bread, and Korean Tangy Chicken Roll. Korean-inspired beverages, like Yuzu-Pop Sprite, are also becoming common choices.

These developments suggest a wider shift in Indian food culture , with consumers open to experimenting with international flavours. The growing interest in Korean cuisine shows that global influences are increasingly shaping India’s dining landscape, and the trend is likely to expand further beyond major cities in the coming years.