Korean Fisheries Cooperative makes inroads into Lao market, holds seafood cooking class in Vientiane

The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives of Korea (Suhyup), with support from the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, held the "K-Seafood Cooking Class in Laos 2026" at the Souphattra Heritage Vientiane Hotel on September 18. 
The event was designed to introduce Korean seafood to Laos' hotel, restaurant and catering (HoReCa) sector, while opening doors for new distribution channels.
The event was organised by the Bangkok Trade Support Center, which is responsible for Laos as a Tier 2 target market. Around 30 people attended, including representatives from import companies, hotels, restaurants and food businesses, as well as influencers and other media personnel.

Korean seafood products were showcased alongside promotional videos. A chef from a five-star hotel in Laos then demonstrated how to fuse Korean abalone, eomuk (a popular Korean fishcake made from minced white fish mixed with starch, flour and seasonings and seasoned seaweed) with Lao flavours, producing three dishes: fried pork laab with crispy seaweed flakes, an eomuk with chayote soup, and a spicy abalone koi salad.
After the demonstration, participants prepared the dishes themselves and joined in tasting them. They said the Korean ingredients could easily be adapted for use in Lao cuisine and were of high quality.
Following the event, a networking session was held between importers and food-industry operators to discuss import and distribution arrangements, market trends, and possible avenues for future cooperation.
Head of the Bangkok Trade Support Center, Mr Baek Geum-joo, said the cooking class gave chefs and those involved in Laos' food industry the chance to experience Korean seafood firsthand through cooking and tasting. 

He hoped the network formed between importers and the food industry through this event would help pave the way for Korean seafood — including products under the K-Fish brand — to feature more prominently in Laos' HoReCa market.
The Bangkok Trade Support Center will use the feedback gathered, along with information on the products Lao buyers are interested in, to follow up with consultations, and is also considering further promotional and sales-support activities in Laos.
Buyers from Laos and Thailand interested in importing Korean seafood can contact Suhyup's Bangkok Trade Support Center by email at kfishbkk@gmail.com or by phone at 02-057-4030 for import-export consultation.
Suhyup currently operates 12 trade support centres in 9 countries to promote the export of Korean fishery products, offering support in marketing, distribution-channel development, office space, legal and tax consultation, and other areas. 
The Bangkok Trade Support Center began operations in June 2018 at the Sathorn Empire Tower in Bangkok, and is responsible for supporting neighbouring markets such as Laos.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update September 24, 2026)