Badasoop (Korean: 바다숲; RR: Badasup; lit. sea forest) is a South Korean food company that specializes in the production of gamtae (Ecklonia cava), a seaweed product similar to nori, with thin, delicate strands.[1]
Native name | 바다숲 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Products | Gamtae |
| Website | badasoop |
The company was reportedly founded in 1980.[2] Song Cheol-su (송철수) had settled in Seosan due to the nearby Garorim Bay and its mudflats, which are suited for the growing of gamtae. He became well-versed in the growing and processing of the algae. By 2015, the city designated him a master in gamtae production.[1] Song's daughter Ju-hyeon (송주현) left her job in the software industry to join her father's business; she became the CEO of Badasoop. She set up factories for production.[1] The food was reportedly little known even by the time that Ju-hyeon joined the business.[3] She established industry connections to introduce the product. The product reportedly attracted particular attention from chefs at fine dining restaurants.[1] The company won an award in the 2017 Seoul Food Awards.[4] By 2021, Badasoop's gamtae was being sold internationally, including in Hong Kong, Paris, Australia, and the United States.[3]
According to a 2023 interview with Song Ju-hyeon, the company was working on developing new dishes that incorporated gamtae, including desserts and ready-to-eat meals.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Yim, Seung-hye (2023-09-12). "Gourmet algae gamtae is the new seaweed on the block". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ "국내 유일 감태명인의 뚝심으로 정직하게 운영하는 30년 전통 감태 전문 브랜드". www.badasoop.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ a b "버려지던 '감태'가 전세계 식탁에 오르기까지…송철수 명인과 송주현 대표 [위대한우물]". 나우뉴스 (in Korean). 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ "송원식품 '바다숲 감태' SEOUL FOOD AWARDS , Healing 부문 수상!". 소믈리에타임즈 (in Korean). 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
External links
edit- Homepage (in English, Korean)
- Why Michelin-Starred Chefs Are Paying Premium For One Of Korea's Rarest Seaweeds | So Expensive on YouTube – documentary about the company (in English)