Analyst Deborah Olabelurin Wins 2025 Hansik Cuisine Competition in Abuja

An analyst, Ms Deborah Olabelurin, has emerged as the winner of the second edition of the 2025 ‘Hansik’ (Korean food) competition, held on Saturday in Abuja. She took home a ₦1 million cash prize and a sponsored trip to Korea.

The Hansik contest, known for showcasing the freshness, variety, and nutritional value of Korean cuisine, was themed “Share Your Love for Jang-Based Korean Food” in honour of the UNESCO recognition of Jang culture (Korean sauces).

Organised by the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) in collaboration with the Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI), the competition featured 12 finalist teams, with Olabelurin and her teammate clinching the top prize.

Korean dishes featured in the competition included cup Ramyeon, Tteokbokki, Bibimbap, Dakgangjeong, and Japchae, all prepared by Nigerian enthusiasts of Korean cuisine and culture.

Ms Igbayilola Olowu, a student, came second and won ₦700,000, while Mrs Patience Berepele, the 2024 winner, took third place with a ₦400,000 prize.

Expressing her joy, Olabelurin said:

“Words are not enough to express how excited I am. I wasn’t planning to enter this year’s competition after being eliminated in the 2024 final, but when the deadline was extended, I thought there was no harm in trying again.”

She added that she refined her approach this year by using more authentic Korean ingredients:

“In 2024, I used only a few Korean ingredients. This time, I decided to go all in.”

As the owner of a cooking page on Instagram, she plans to share more culinary content and collaborate with KCCN:

“I want to build a community around food and use my platform to connect with others who share this passion.”

Runner-up Olowu also spoke about the cultural significance of the experience:

“This competition deepened my love for Korean culture. I was especially excited to cook with Gochugaru. I’m grateful to KCCN for such a wonderful initiative, and I plan to start preparing Korean dishes for my family.”

Third-place winner Berepele expressed her gratitude for being given another opportunity to compete, having won the maiden edition in 2024.

The Director of KCCN, Mr Kim Changki, highlighted the cultural objective of the event:

“The Hansik contest was created to promote Korean culture, which is why we included K-pop performances and traditional food tastings.”

He added that the initiative has fostered cultural exchange:

“We’ve seen strong synergy between Nigerians and Koreans, especially in the area of food. The Korean government is aware that Nigerians love our culture, and this could lead to more opportunities like Korean restaurants in Abuja.”

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Out of over 40 participating teams, only 12 advanced to the final round.

Ms Yunjin Lee, KCCN Event Manager, noted the uniqueness of this year’s edition:

“This was the second Hansik contest in Nigeria. The inclusion of K-pop and diverse Korean dishes made the event truly memorable.”

She praised the contestants for their efforts:

“Korean meals are not just about the main dish—they’re complete when served with good side dishes. Our winner delivered an authentic taste that impressed both the Korean and Nigerian judges.”

Chef Godfrey Odoh, Vice President of the Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN), was one of the judges and explained the focus of the contest:

“This year’s theme centred around ‘Jang’, which is a vital foundation in Korean cuisine. No Korean dish is complete without Jang—it’s key to flavour and authenticity.”

The event concluded with several fun segments, including a Korean spicy food challenge, a game called “Chopsticks” where players picked up objects using chopsticks, and an energetic performance by Jumparewa—a seven-member K-pop dance group that thrilled the audience with their dynamic routines.