Pohang, South Korea is making dining out more accessible for everyone. Restaurants in the city are undergoing a transformation to become “global ESG workplaces,” welcoming diners with disabilities and those who speak different languages.
A New Standard for Hospitality in Pohang
Handong University, the city of Pohang, and the United Nations Academic Impact Korea (UNAI Korea) have partnered to create a more inclusive dining experience for all.
- A workshop held January 15th and 22nd at Handong University’s Kim Young-gil GRACE School brought together 30 local restaurant representatives.
- Twenty restaurants in Pohang have adopted universal design principles to enhance accessibility.
- Three establishments – Yukdaejang Yangdeok Branch, Joo Hyo-sil’s Beef Story, and Gitdae Raw Fish Restaurant – were recognized as “World Gourmet City ESG Pohang Model Businesses” on January 28th.
- Participating restaurants received a “Everyone’s Gourmet Guidebook” with multilingual menus, allergy warnings, and ESG route maps.
Handong University announced the successful completion of the “Global Friendly Workplace Training Workshop” on January 28th. The initiative aims to establish Pohang as a leader in inclusive tourism and sustainable practices.
What does it mean for a restaurant to be “global ESG”? It means going beyond simple politeness to redesign spaces, menus, and services to welcome everyone. Participants in the workshop described it as a turning point, a chance to rethink hospitality from the ground up.
Universal Design and the ‘Gourmet Guidebook’
The core of the program is the implementation of universal design – creating spaces and services usable by all people, regardless of ability. Twenty restaurants in Pohang have already embraced this concept, establishing an ESG model for the “world’s gourmet city.”
To help restaurants implement these changes, participants received the “Everyone’s Gourmet Guidebook.” This resource includes practical tools like multilingual menus, allergy warning stickers, and maps highlighting ESG-friendly routes throughout the city.
Model Businesses Lead the Way
Three restaurants were specifically honored as “World Gourmet City ESG Pohang Model Businesses”: Yukdaejang Yangdeok Branch, Joo Hyo-sil’s Beef Story, and Gitdae Raw Fish Restaurant. These establishments will serve as examples for others, demonstrating how to provide multilingual, barrier-free service and prioritize eco-friendly practices.
Kim Hyo-jeong, a consultant with UDI Cube who led the workshop, emphasized the long-term vision. “We plan to continuously expand the number of stores that apply universal design,” she said, “so that local small business owners can grow into partners in global citizenship education.”
