Meet Kim Ji-Yeol: Korean Chef with Indian Flavours!

Hey foodies, have you heard about Chef Kim Jiyeol? Officially working at the South Korean embassy in New Delhi, this Korean chef’s viral social media videos have made him an internet sensation. With K-pop and K-dramas taking over Indian audiences, so has Korean food.

On Instagram as @cook_oranji, he’s got almost 100k followers drooling over his fusion dishes.

We’re talking kimchi-stuffed parathas, momo guk, chicken tikka kimbap, spicy buldak maggi noodles, and so much more. In a time when K-pop culture has taken the world by storm, Chef Kim sees food as a powerful vehicle for breaking down geographical barriers. By promoting Korean cuisine in India and beyond, he aims to bridge the gap between cultures and introduce people to the diverse and intriguing flavors of both nations.

Having made India his home, Chef Kim often shares how he has grown fond of Indian culinary delights such as mutton curry, dal and dosa. On his social media, he shares his escapades throughout Delhi’s bustling markets, where he tirelessly seeks out top-quality ingredients for his dishes. By documenting his trips and interactions with local vendors, Chef Kim provides a glimpse into the vibrant market culture that is an integral part of every chef’s journey.

Recently, he also teamed up with Gurkirat Singh, a MasterChef India finalist, to create a fusion dish of Korean-inspired chili paneer. Encouraging experimentation, Chef Kim suggests substituting gochugaru for Indian chili powder, further intertwining the bold flavors of both cuisines. According to him, the one factor that makes it easy to blend Korean and Indian food is the love for spice that both countries share.

With Holi almost here, you can try out the gujiya recipe from a viral video he shared last year. With his simple charm and attempts at speaking Hindi, Chef Kim has been wooing followers swept along with the Korean wave in India.