South Korean food company
Badasoop (Korean: 바다숲; RR: Badasup; lit. sea forest) is a South Korean food company that specializes in the production of gamtae (Ecklonia cava), a seaweed product similar to nori, with thin, delicate strands.[1]
The company was reportedly founded in 1980.[2] Song Cheol-su (송철수) had settled in Seosan due to the nearby Garorim Bay and its mudflats, which are suited for the growing of gamtae. He became well-versed in the growing and processing of the algae. By 2015, the city designated him a master in gamtae production.[1] Song's daughter Ju-hyeon (송주현) left her job in the software industry to join her father's business; she became the CEO of Badasoop. She set up factories for production.[1] The food was reportedly little known even by the time that Ju-hyeon joined the business.[3] She established industry connections to introduce the product. The product reportedly attracted particular attention from chefs at fine dining restaurants.[1] The company won an award in the 2017 Seoul Food Awards.[4] By 2021, Badasoop's gamtae was being sold internationally, including in Hong Kong, Paris, Australia, and the United States.[3]
According to a 2023 interview with Song Ju-hyeon, the company was working on developing new dishes that incorporated gamtae, including desserts and ready-to-eat meals.[1]
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