Korea Expressway Corporation Selects 'Rest Area BEST 15' Signature Dishes Nationwide

[Financial News] Regional representative dishes that can be tasted at highway rest areas nationwide have been carefully selected again this year. Korea Expressway Corporation held the '2025 Rest Area Food FESTA' at its headquarters in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, on the 15th, and announced the selection of 15 signature rest area dishes nationwide.
The event was held under the theme of 'Rest Area Representative Dishes Using Domestic Agricultural Products'. The final candidates were selected through regional preliminaries and finals from May, and the final winners were decided through on-site evaluations and expert reviews on the day of the event. Eight people participated in the judging, including Professor Geum Na-na of Dongguk University, Kim Seong-yun, a reporter from Chosun Ilbo, and YouTuber 'Matjipnamja'.
The grand prize went to the 'Yongin Seongsan Handon Bone Hangover Soup' from Jukjeon (Seoul) Rest Area. This menu, consisting of rich broth and ample pork backbones, was completed with a healthy taste by adding Yongin-grown sunji oiji and stir-fried oyster mushrooms.
The top prize was awarded to 'Mama Tendon' from Iksan Mireuksaji (Cheonan) Rest Area and 'Waegwan Handmade Sausage Budae Jjigae' from Chilgok (Busan) Rest Area. 'Mama Tendon' is a rice bowl dish that crisply fries local ingredients such as Iksan-grown sweet potatoes and onions, harmonizing with a savory special soy sauce. The 'Handmade Sausage Budae Jjigae' boasts a mild taste using sausages that replicate the traditional method of a German missionary.
Additionally, 'Maljukgeori Handon Dongpajuk Rice Bowl' (Seoul Mannam), 'Corn Nutritional Rice Set' (Hongcheon), 'Muan Onion Nakdoebulpae' (Hampyeong Butterfly) received excellence awards, and 'Daebudo Grape Gochujang Bojagi Bibimbap' (Ansan), 'Hongcheon Bean Soft Tofu Noodles' (Hongcheon River) were among the nine menus that received encouragement awards.
Korea Expressway Corporation also set up a special exhibition space at the event venue to introduce local agricultural products in collaboration with nine local governments. It showcased the excellence of local specialties such as Gyeonggi rice, Cheonan walnuts, Muan onions, and Jangheung seaweed, along with various snacks and desserts made using them.
Ham Jin-gyu, president of Korea Expressway Corporation, said, "We will strive to enhance the diversity and quality of rest area food through representative dishes using unique local agricultural products nationwide, and to invigorate the local economy."

en1302@fnnews.com Jang In-seo Reporter