From Tteokbokki to Milmyeon: How U.S. Flour Aid Shaped Korean Food Culture

Hello, this is JIRO!

It’s been a while since our last post—hope you’ve been doing well.

The weather has been especially cold in Korea recently,

and we hope you’re staying warm and healthy wherever you are.


In today’s post, we explore Korean food culture shaped by

U.S. flour aid after the Korean War.

Our focus is on two iconic dishes: tteokbokki,

and Busan’s beloved milmyeon.

Let’s take a closer look.



From Tteokbokki to Milmyeon A story that began with U.S. flour aid
From Tteokbokki to Milmyeon
A story that began with U.S. flour aid


Flour aid?!
Flour aid?!

After the Korean War, 
a U.S. food aid bill was passed, and large amounts of American flour entered Korea.

What does this have  to do with food?
What does this have to do with food?


Along with a government campaign to reduce rice consumption,

Korean food culture began to change.


Maboknim Halmeoni’s  Tteokbokki Shop
Maboknim Halmeoni’s Tteokbokki Shop
Address: 5, Dasan-ro 35-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Originally, tteokbokki was a royal dish 

made with rice and soy sauce.

Later, it shifted to wheat-based rice cakes and became a symbol of street food.


Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town
Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town
Address: 77, Cheonggu-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul Cheonggu Station (Lines 5 & 6)

Not just Maboknim Tteokbokki—time to try every shop
in Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town!


Gupo Market Noodles, Busan
Gupo Market Noodles, Busan
Address: 17, Gupo Market 1-gil,Buk-gu, Busan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WmsohLHGhhbHtjFW6

As flour arrived through Busan Port,
noodle factories gathered in Gupo.
Gupo noodles soon became 
a signature food of Busan.


Busan Milmyeon
Busan Milmyeon

As noodle culture grew, milmyeon emerged.
Using wheat flour instead of buckwheat or starch,
a new cold noodle was born.


In this post, we explored how Korean food culture evolved

in the wake of U.S. flour aid after the Korean War.

Knowing this background, wouldn’t enjoying Korean food in Korea

feel even more meaningful?


If you happen to visit Korea, feel free to reach out to JIRO.

After this post goes live,

the first three people to contact us will be treated to tteokbokki!

That wraps up today’s post.

Wishing you a wonderful day.


Photo Sources

Busan Metropolitan City

Bupyeong History Museum

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT)

Location: 대한민국 서울특별시 중구 신당동 다산로35길 5

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