South Korea in Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics: food, cocktails, and culture

Milan is celebrating the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with initiatives dedicated to Korean culture and gastronomy. The city becomes a small bridge between Italy and South Korea, where food, drinks, and cultural spaces tell stories of creativity and tradition.

Tram aT Korea

The streets of Milan feature the fully branded Tram aT Korea. Promoted by aT Center Paris, the agency of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Korea, the tram showcases a project focused on K-Food and Korean mixology. At Mercato Centrale, the seafood restaurant Bistrot Pedol hosts a free Korean cocktail experience until February 22, designed to introduce the public to traditional South Korean spirits. Mixologist Diego Ferrari uses soju, makgeolli, and other Korean liquors to reinterpret classic Italian cocktails such as Negroni, Spritz, and Martini, creating new taste combinations. The free aperitif runs from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, offering the chance to try six different Korean cocktails and explore the versatility of the country’s spirits and their harmony with Italian seafood cuisine.

During the press lunch, the Bistrot served journalists fish dishes that combine Italian and Korean ingredients, such as oysters with kimchi, tuna with doenjang cream, tuna and kimchi tartare, and scallops with chogochujang sauce. The recipes result from the collaboration between executive chef Franck Businelli and Korean chef Sun Young Koo, representing a balanced meeting of cultures and culinary techniques.

The Korea House
Also running until February 22, Milan hosts the Korea House at Villa Necchi Campiglio. Supported by the Korean Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Seoul, the Korea House offers a full program of cultural activities.

The spaces feature installations, meetings, workshops, and performances, along with areas dedicated to gastronomy. Visitors can learn about traditional ingredients and dishes, as well as discover contemporary projects related to Korean culture, art, and music. The Korea House thus becomes a key destination for anyone wishing to explore contemporary Korea and its presence during the Olympics.