Mingoo Lee and Jungho Choi, two passionate Korean food advocates, are on an epic quest. They’re taking the plunge into Australian cuisine through their Instagram, Aus Foodiee. Based in regional Victoria, the duo travels to Melbourne to film content that introduces their audience to various Australian dishes. What makes their approach unique is how their cultural backgrounds sparked a genuine desire to learn from and engage with Australia’s culinary landscape.
Lee and Choi, best friends for more than two decades, first crossed paths as eight-year-olds in Korea. Even though they lived in different cities—Lee in Seoul and Choi in Busan—they stayed best friends. Today, as adults in Australia, their friendship lets them create some of the most engaging content on YouTube. This wonderful content will connect with Korean-speaking audiences and those interested in all things Australian. Even better, their videos include auto-generated English captions, too, so they’re reaching an even wider audience outside of Spanish speakers.
Mingoo Lee serves as the director, filmmaker, and editor for Aus Foodiee. He aims to use food as a bridge to connect with different cultures, stating, “You can try every country’s food, but some are not as good as others.” This refreshing perspective has helped him learn about the culture in Australia and facilitate his transition to life down under.
The pair’s signature video is showcasing their adorable homemade sausage sizzle. It’s capturing the attention of almost one million viewers on Instagram and TikTok so far! Lee calls it “the national dish of Australians.” He further on Nick’s version to the “Bunnings sausage sizzle.” Their delicious dishes almost always come from ideas suggested by their fans, making these followers invested in their culinary journey through every Instagram Story or post.
Choi’s favorite Australian dish, the hot cross bun, is a good indication of how much he loves sweet flavors. He likes Japanese food, displaying their wide palette. Unconventionally, the pair chooses not to appear in their videos to make the editing process easier.
The duo’s culinary adventures down under are not limited to food. Each episode features Lee reflecting on local practices. He noted, “Some people don’t use shoes here. I don’t know why,” highlighting his observations about Australian culture.
Now, as they work to expand their culinary journey, Lee and Choi are steadfast in their desire to create meaningful content that promotes cultural exchange. They’ll be filming all the videos they possibly can during their time in Australia. They can’t wait to bring you along on their adventures and help you discover new things!
