Discover the K-Food Capital: How Gumi is Transforming into a Global Culinary Destination by 2026

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Gumi, the birthplace of South Korea’s chicken franchise scene, is reinventing itself as a global K‑food destination.
 
Gumi City announced it has been chosen for the final round of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korean Food Promotion Institute’s 2026 K‑Gourmet Belt (Chicken Belt) development program.

The win rewards the city’s ahead‑of‑the‑curve investments and its public‑private partnership model — including efforts to turn the original Gyochon location into a landmark — which were already in motion before the competition.
 
The first Gyochon Chicken opened in Gumi in 1991. The city has recast the brand’s rise from a tiny shop to a global name as a kind of “brand pilgrimage” — think McDonald’s original in Chicago or Starbucks’ flagship in Seattle.
 
Since 2024, Gumi has been building the supporting infrastructure through the Gyochon No.1 Landmark Project: it designated an honorary street and launched the Gyochon1991 Cultural Street in June of last year.
 
The impact was immediate. The flagship store’s sales climbed by more than 40%, and visitor numbers more than doubled, providing clear data that the initiative is reviving the local business district.
 
The city will put the secured project budget of 200 million KRW (approximately $150,000 USD) toward immersive tourist programming developed with Gyochon F&B Co., Ltd. and tour operator NorangPungSeon Co., Ltd.

The approach goes beyond tastings. Gumi plans hands‑on experiences that weave the brand’s startup story together with local culture — a tourism model built on narrative and participation rather than just sampling.
 
Gumi is also positioning itself to welcome international visitors by leveraging easy access to the new Daegu–Gyeongbuk Airport, slated to open in 2030.
 
By linking proven local food attractions — like the established Gumi Ramen Festival — the city aims to move visitors from one‑day trips to stay‑and‑dine itineraries, transforming Gumi into a multi‑day culinary destination.
 
Mayor Kim Jang‑ho said, “We will continue to develop Gumi’s distinctive offerings so the city becomes a sought‑after destination for both international visitors and domestic tourists.”