By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

Nigeria’s love for Korean culture hit a new high in Abuja as Victor Mac-Adonai became the first male to win the third edition of the Hansik (Korean food) cooking competition, standing out among eight finalists and claiming top honours for his mastery of traditional Korean cuisine.

The event, organised by the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN), brought together young culinary enthusiasts eager to explore the depth of Korean cuisine and its cultural heritage. The competition was hosted at the RED Dish Chronicles Culinary School in Abuja’s Central Business District.

The contest, themed “The Soul of Hansik,” aimed to promote authenticity in Korean cuisine while encouraging cultural exchange between Nigeria and South Korea through food, music, and youth engagement. Twenty participants initially registered online, submitting videos of their cooking processes and explaining their passion for Korean cuisine. After several rounds of intense cooking and evaluation by professional chefs, eight finalists were selected for the final round.

At the competition, Mac-Adonai impressed judges with his interpretation of Doenjang Jjigae, a traditional soybean paste stew widely regarded as a symbol of Korean comfort food, capturing the essence of the contest’s theme. His dishes also included Maekjeok, a Doenjang-marinated pork side, and other classic Korean recipes prepared with precision and care.

“For the past two years, women have dominated the contest. My goal was to make history as the first male winner. I focused on pure Korean dishes, especially the soul of Hansik, which is Jang,” he said.

Mac-Adonai, an influencer and honorary reporter, said he plans to launch a Nigerian brand of Ramyeon, produced in Korea but branded in Nigeria, as part of his efforts to popularise Korean cuisine locally.

Favour Dajibesh secured third place, while Oluwasegun Faith finished as runner-up, taking home prizes including a blender, air fryer, and a 42-litre LG microwave oven. Mac-Adonai received ₦300,000 and a 40-litre LG fridge for his victory.

Ms. Yinjin Lee, KCCN Event Planner, explained that this year’s edition focused on authenticity rather than fusion, allowing contestants to experience the full depth of Hansik while raising awareness of Korean food, especially in Abuja where few Korean restaurants exist.

Chef Godfrey Mario, Vice President of the Association of Professional Chefs in Nigeria (APCN), North Central, said contestants successfully infused local Nigerian ingredients with traditional Korean recipes, promoting local agricultural produce while respecting the original flavours.

The event also celebrated the graduation of K-pop students who had studied for eight weeks, and featured exhibitions, K-pop performances, photobooths, chopsticks challenges, raffle draws, and interactive games, highlighting the rich cultural exchange between Nigeria and South Korea.

The Hansik contest continues to provide a platform for culinary skill development, cultural education, and celebration of healthy, well-seasoned Korean cuisine in Nigeria.