Daniel Gray

About Daniel Gray

I'm Daniel Gray, co-founder of 8 Birds Tours and Events. My journey started with a deep passion for sharing the authentic beauty of South Korea with travelers from all over the world. Over the years, we've had the privilege of working with incredible clients, including major international companies like Apple, Google, and BMW, helping them create unique, memorable experiences. At 8 Birds, we're committed to making every journey meaningful, combining my love for culture, food, and storytelling with a focus on seamless, customized service. I look forward to guiding you on your next adventure in Korea!

Seoul Eats

My blog, Seoul Eats, has been featured in renowned outlets like The New York Times, Serious Eats, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, and Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain. Beyond my blog, I've worked on over 50 video productions, specializing in Korean food and culture, and have appeared regularly on KBS World's Korean Food Story. I've also collaborated with major companies like Mars Chocolate, Yahoo!, and Google, providing unique events, tours, and consulting. Whether you're looking for private tours or expert advice, I bring my passion and extensive experience to create memorable and authentic Korean experiences.

Netflix Korea

I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Netflix Korea on the hit series Street Food: Asia. As a local expert and cultural guide, I helped bring the vibrant street food scene of South Korea to life for the show, sharing the stories behind the dishes, vendors, and traditions that make Korea's food culture so unique. Working alongside the talented crew, I contributed my knowledge of Korean cuisine and its hidden gems to ensure the authenticity and depth of the experience. It was an unforgettable experience, and I'm proud to have been a part of showcasing Korea's rich culinary heritage to a global audience.

Working with Mark Wiens

Working with Mark Wiens was an incredible experience that I'll always be grateful for. His passion for food and storytelling is truly inspiring, and it was an honor to show him the rich and diverse flavors of Korea. From exploring hidden street food spots to sharing in the joy of each bite, his enthusiasm made every moment even more special. Seeing Korea's food culture through his lens and sharing it with a global audience was unforgettable. I'm thankful for the opportunity and for the lasting memories we created along the way.

Notable Works

OECD Studies on Tourism – Food and the Tourism Experience

Daniel Lee Gray has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of culinary tourism in Korea, highlighting the country's unique food culture as a powerful tool for tourism development and cultural exchange. Through his work, Gray has underscored the growing appeal of Korean cuisine to international travelers, citing the significant rise in tourists who view food as a key reason to visit Korea. He argues that culinary tourism leverages Korea's existing infrastructure while preserving authentic dining spaces, offering a sustainable alternative to large-scale tourism development projects.

Gray's initiatives include the creation of immersive food experiences through O'ngo Food Communications, where he developed storytelling-driven tours, hands-on cooking classes, and curated culinary journeys that connect visitors with local heritage. These experiences range from traditional market tours and tea ceremonies to agritourism and chef-led research tours. His approach emphasizes cultural sensitivity, guest customization, and experiential learning, often using food as a lens to explore Korean identity and social customs.

In addition to tour development, Gray contributed to strategic marketing by leveraging digital platforms, social media, and partnerships with influential content creators to position Korea as a premier food destination. His efforts have not only promoted Korean cuisine globally but have also helped shift the tourism narrative from "must-see" sites to "must-experience" cultural engagement—particularly through food.

Discoveries of Korea – Kinetic Street Cuisine

In Kinetic Street Cuisine, Daniel Lee Gray captures the essence of Korea's street food scene as a dynamic, ever-evolving expression of local life, culinary creativity, and cultural fusion. His vivid portrayal unveils a world where food is not only sustenance but also spectacle, seamlessly woven into the fabric of urban daily life. Through his storytelling, Gray celebrates the mobility, inventiveness, and communal spirit found in Korea's street food culture.

Gray explores how Korean street food blends tradition with modern ingenuity — from whimsical innovations like tornado potatoes and "ColPop" chicken-soda combos to nostalgic treats like bbopgi, a caramelized sugar candy turned street game. He highlights how these foods are tailored for life in motion, reflecting Korea's fast-paced urban rhythm and its people's penchant for spontaneity and flavor.

Beyond the snacks themselves, Gray reveals the social layers of this kinetic cuisine. He describes late-night tented eateries (pojangmacha) where strangers gather under fluorescent lights to share soju, stories, and laughter, forging bonds over spicy rice cakes and fried delicacies. These vibrant scenes, set in areas like Jongno and Myeong-dong, offer a raw, unfiltered look at Korean society — one where culinary traditions intersect with modern lifestyle and global influences.

With Kinetic Street Cuisine, Daniel Lee Gray not only documents what's on the plate but also captures the deeper narrative of Korea's street culture: communal, inventive, and distinctly alive.