Sempio Foods signs MOU with Hanyang Women's University to advance Korean flavor research

Sempio Foods announced Thursday that it had signed an industry-academia MOU with Hanyang Women's University. Sempio Foods CEO Park Jin-sun and Hanyang Women's University President Na Se-ri were among those who attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement combines Sempio's "Woori flavor research" expertise with the university's education and hands-on training infrastructure, with the goal of researching and developing menus and products capable of delivering authentic Korean flavors in mass-catering environments.

Woori flavor research applies culinary science methodology to the flavors and techniques long regarded as the secret touch of skilled home cooks, systematically studying ingredients and cooking methods. Chefs, nutritionists and food culture scholars have analyzed the key ingredients and cooking methods favored by Koreans, and have compiled and published solutions to common challenges in the cooking process.

Sempio will collaborate with Hanyang Women's University, which brings expertise in food and nutrition education and research, along with hands-on training facilities including a smart institutional kitchen. The university is pursuing an industry-academia "anchor project" aimed at cultivating field-ready talent in partnership with local communities and industry, and at expanding its training infrastructure as a hub for regional and industrial innovation.

Through the agreement, Sempio will research products and menus in an environment that closely mirrors actual food service and mass-catering settings. The company also plans to verify the taste, quality and practical usability of its business-to-business sauces and food ingredients. A talent development program in which food and nutrition students at Hanyang Women's University participate in Sempio's product and menu research is also under consideration.

"We will continue to build on our Woori flavor research to develop products and menus that make it easy and delicious for anyone to cook — whether at home or in a mass-catering setting — and we will share the results to help Korean food culture flourish further," a Sempio Foods official said.