Culinary Theatre Blends Robotics and Tradition in Edinburgh Premiere

A Korean Culinary Stage in Scotland

As the vibrant energy of the Edinburgh International Festival filled the streets of the capital this August, a unique and poignant theatrical experience took residence at the Studio Theatre. From the 20th to the 24th of August 2026, audiences were invited to step inside a world where the aroma of seaweed soup and kimchi filled the air, blending traditional Korean culinary heritage with the precise, curious world of modern robotics. This was the Scottish premiere of Haribo Kimchi, a production created by the South Korean director, composer, and video artist Jaha Koo. Having moved to Europe in 2011, Koo brought a lifetime of cultural synthesis to the stage, offering a deeply personal and inventive exploration of what it truly means to find a sense of belonging in a rapidly changing, globalized world.

The Pojangmacha Experience

The stage itself was transformed into a pojangmacha, a traditional late-night street stall commonly found on the bustling corners of Seoul. This humble, illuminated shelter served as the anchor for a 70-minute performance that defied conventional categorization. Koo, who has gained international acclaim for his innovative use of technology—most notably in his earlier work Cuckoo, which starred a cast of talking robotic rice cookers—once again pushed the boundaries of live theatre. In Haribo Kimchi, the stage was inhabited not just by the artist, but by three distinct robotic characters: an eel, a snail, and a gummy bear. These mechanical companions provided a surreal, engaging counterpoint to the organic, warm process of cooking that anchored the narrative. The show, presented in a fluid mix of English and Korean, acted as a multi-sensory bridge, connecting the audience to the umami-rich memories of the artist’s own childhood.

Intimacy and Culinary Heritage

The heart of the production lay in its profound focus on human connection through the ritual of sharing a meal. Koo did not merely present a performance; he actively prepared authentic food on stage, treating the cooking process as an act of storytelling. In a touching highlight of the evening, two members of the audience were invited to take a seat at the counter, becoming temporary guests in the pojangmacha to sample the fresh seaweed soup and kimchi as it was prepared. By inviting patrons into the kitchen, Koo dismantled the traditional distance between performer and spectator, turning the theatre into a space of domestic warmth. This decision spoke volumes about the artist’s philosophy: that culture is not something to be merely observed from a distance, but something to be tasted, experienced, and shared. The success of this intimacy was further explored during a dedicated post-show discussion held on Sunday, August 23, where audience members could delve deeper into the complex themes of the piece.

A Global Narrative of Belonging

Haribo Kimchi did not arrive in Scotland without a journey of its own. Before reaching the Edinburgh International Festival, the production had already captivated audiences across major international venues, including festivals in Amsterdam, Athens, and Avignon. This global trajectory highlights the universal appeal of Koo’s work, which balances the nostalgic pull of traditional recipes with the inevitable evolution of modern life. Through his exploration of kimchi culture, Koo invited the Scottish audience to consider their own relationship with heritage and how food serves as a silent, powerful vessel for history. The show suggests that in our increasingly interconnected societies, the preservation of our roots does not have to be a static endeavor. Instead, by integrating robotics, video, and live music with the timeless act of feeding one another, Koo demonstrated that tradition can remain a living, breathing component of our modern identity.

Looking Toward a Blended Future

The presence of Haribo Kimchi at one of Scotland’s most prestigious festivals serves as an optimistic marker for the future of the arts in the UK. By bringing diverse voices and unconventional mediums to the stage, the festival continues to prove that there is a profound hunger for work that challenges our perceptions of home and history. As the production concluded its run, it left behind a powerful message: the future of culture lies in our ability to synthesize the old and the new, the mechanical and the organic, the local and the global. For those who witnessed the peculiar charm of a gummy bear and a snail sharing space with a bubbling pot of kimchi, the experience was a testament to the fact that identity is not fixed, but is instead something we are always in the process of cooking, refining, and sharing with our neighbors. As we look ahead, the success of this production reminds us that whether through technology or through taste, the human need for connection remains the most vital ingredient of all.