Abstract
This study was conducted to provide basic data for desirable food culture by surveying the perception and utilization of Korean traditional food and fast-food from 6th grade elementary school students in the Ansan region. According to the survey, elementary school students have insufficient perception about Korean traditional food but they understand fast-food relatively well. The key factor for their concern in Korean traditional food was the mass media, while the variety of tastes and quickness were key factors of fast-food. Among the respondents, 76.0% chose Korean traditional food as more nutritious than fast-food. From the investigation of their diet situation, daily meals came out as Korean traditional food, while fast-food covered snacks and nighttime meals. Normally, just following their parents' selection was the biggest reason for going to Korean traditional food restaurants. They chose fast-food restaurants because the price is proper and they can use that place for their conversation. Among Korean traditional foods, their favorite was "Gal-bi-zim" (beef ribs stew), and among fast-food, they liked hamburger and pizza. Over 90% of male and female students ate fast-food within 30 minutes, which was less than Korean traditional food. Generally, Korean traditional food was relatively more expensive than fast food. Respondents usually went to Korean traditional food restaurants with their parents and family members, whereas they went to fast food restaurants mostly with their friends. Positive factors of Korean traditional food, in order of satisfaction, were taste, hygiene, price, and quickness, while those of fast-food, in the same order, weretaste, price, quickness, and hygiene.
