Delicious food from South Korea and the Philippines took center stage during an afternoon treat on July 31. 

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines hosted Merienda: Korean-Philippine Culinary Heritage Exchange with Chef Lily Min and Chef Reggie Aspiras that showcased the making of Korean desserts, Filipino “kakanin” and drinks. 

Lee Eun-hwa, the wife of Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa, graced the event together with Malaysian Embassy representatives Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, Nadhirah Muhammad Zanudin, Yantie Mohd Rosli, Farrah Abu Bakar and Rohana Dahalan. 

Lee Eun-hwa, the wife of Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa (KCC Philippines)

Lee Eun-hwa, Chef Lily Min, Chef Reggie Aspiras and guests at the Merienda: Korean-Philippine Culinary Heritage Exchange (KCC Philippines)

Chef Lily Min (KCC Philippines)

Chef Reggie Aspiras (KCC Philippines)

Gaksaek danja (various rice ball cakes) (KCC Philippines)

Korean style donuts (KCC Philippines)

Filipino desserts (KCC Philippines)

The event was organized to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Philippines. 

In her speech, Lee said, “Today is an exciting day as we embark on a sweet journey of cultural exchange through desserts!”

“In Korea, traditional desserts like tteok (rice cakes) are essential treats during celebrations such as Chuseok and Lunar New Year. These sweets aren't just about satisfying our sweet tooth—they're about preserving cultural heritage and family traditions,” she said. 

According to her, “And just like how both Korea and the Philippines love using glutinous rice in desserts, I hope our nations' relationship remains tight and sticky, just like suman or 찹쌀떡.”

Chef Lily got her education in Traditional Dietary Life Food at the Graduate School of Sookmyung Women's University and is working as a Korean food specialist. Widely known for her own creative recipes, she takes great interest in developing easy Korean food recipes as well as food for healthy diets.

She has appeared in various Korean television cooking shows and is engaged in a food photo shoot for magazines while providing cooking classes at E-mart, Homeplus, the Bundang Women's Center, the Samsung Culture Center and LG in South Korea. She currently lives in the Philippines and runs a Korean cooking class at the KCC. 

Aspiras is a prominent Filipino chef and culinary instructor. Widely known for her cookbooks, she is the best selling cookbook author who received the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2023, Gintong Aklat Winner 2023 for “Notes from my Kitchen 2”. 

At the event, Chef Lily showed how to make Korean desserts using ingredients readily available in the Philippines while Chef Reggie introduced how to make Filipino desserts. 

Chef Lily demonstrated how to make assorted Korean rice ball cake, and white rice cake with honey. Chef Reggie made suman with mangoes and Korean citron. 

After the demonstration, attendees enjoyed an afternoon tea time with Korean and Filipino desserts, drinks, and the demonstrated desserts.

 Merienda: Korean-Philippine Culinary Heritage Exchange with Chef Lily Min and Chef Reggie Aspiras (KCC Philippines)

Korean desserts (KCC Philippines)

Filipino desserts (KCC Philippines)