Egg Roll - the favorite dish of the President of South Korea

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol loves omurice, or egg-rolled rice, and the dish was on the menu when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida received him in March.

After the Japan-South Korea summit in March in Tokyo, Prime Minister Fumio Kishia and President Yoon Suk-yeol went to Rengatei restaurant for dinner, where Yoon Suk-yeol was treated to omurice, according to Japan's Cabinet Office. Omelette rice is said to be one of the South Korean president's favorite dishes.

Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol and Fumio Kishia raise their glasses at Rengatei restaurant. Photo: AP

Omurice is fried rice rolled in a soft omelette, topped with a sweet-savory sauce, usually ketchup. It is known as an example of yōshoku, a style of Japanese cuisine influenced by the West. Omurice is popular in Japanese homes and is often found in Western-style restaurants. Children especially love omurice. Visitors to Japan often enjoy this dish, along with other popular dishes such as ramen, soba, and sushi.

President Yoon Suk Yeol once told a Japanese official that he had "fond memories of Rengatei," a restaurant founded in 1895 in Tokyo, according to the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper.

Japanese omurice. Photo: Asian inspirations

"I'm not familiar with the history of this dish but I know it was invented about 100 years ago by combining rice and eggs. So it's definitely not a high-class dish. Omurice is a traditional, popular dish in Japan," said Hugo Dobson, professor of Japanese international relations at the University of Sheffield, UK.

The food at summits usually consists of formal banquets, high-class dishes that show off the host country's culinary talent. Therefore, Dobson was surprised by the appearance of omurice on the menu. Dobson believes that this may have been the intention of the host country, Japan, to make the meal more intimate, promoting the relationship between the two countries' leaders. Dobson also added that this is considered useful because the Korean President is said to "love omurice very much".

The dish is also popular in Korea, but there are slight differences in the preparation style. In Japan, the egg is omeletted, often with chicken. In Korea, the omelette tends to be firmer, and other meats are often used.

“This dish is fitting for two leaders looking to overcome differences and foster an atmosphere conducive to diplomacy,” Dobson said.

According to the Korea Herald , President Yoon Suk Yeol is known as a "food connoisseur who cares about the ingredients, preparation, and origin of food." First Lady Kim Kun Hee once revealed that the President has been in charge of cooking since they got married in 2012. Before their marriage, he often invited prosecutors who were his subordinates to his home and cooked for them himself. Other favorite dishes the President has revealed include doenjang jjigae (bean paste soup) and kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew).

Anh Minh (According to NBCnews )

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