A modest Australian town that takes its name from a hugely popular pasta dish that has quickly become popular in South Korea.
‘Toowoomba Pasta’ is the signature pasta dish of the American restaurant Outback Steakhouse, which is very popular in all 110 branches in South Korea.
The creamy, seafood-filled fettuccine mixture has been such a hit among South Koreans that copies of the dish are now appearing on local menus and TikTok.
Fans of ‘Obsessed’ can’t get enough of the rich, umami-rich sauce made with shrimp, mushrooms, Parmesan, cream, soy sauce and a hint of garlic and Korean chili for 25,900 KRW – or about $29 AUD.
The paste has proven so popular that ready-made versions are even available in supermarkets throughout South Korea.
The ‘random’ dish, inspired by Australia, has now returned to Australia, with local foodies on TikTok creating their own versions to see what all the fuss is about.
Dietitian and creative nutritionist from Queensland Andrea Love was intrigued when she first heard about Toowoomba Pasta and wanted to try it at home.
“This is definitely a fun dish with an interesting story, which is why I wanted to make it in the first place,” she told FEMAIL.
Toowoomba Pasta is the signature pasta dish on the South Korean menu at Outback Steakhouses. It is served with fettucine topped with mushrooms, shrimp and cream
Toowoomba in Queensland’s outback was the surprising inspiration for the name of a pasta that South Koreans can’t get enough of
The popular pasta has become hugely popular throughout South Korea, with many restaurants and cafes offering their own imitation versions of the Australian-inspired dish
“So good! Highly recommended, Gochugaru and soy sauce in a creamy paste works surprisingly well,” she said.
But some Australian fans couldn’t understand the craze.
“I live in Toowoomba and was shocked to see Toowoomba Pasta on the menu in a K-drama. You learn something new every day,” said one woman.
“A Korean twist on the American idea of how Australians eat Italian,” added another.
Others wondered why this seafood pasta dish takes its name from an inland town, far from the coast.
Andrea Love is a dietician and creative culinary person who couldn’t wait to try the dish after hearing about its curious background
Toowoomba Pasta is even available as a packaged meal in convenience stores across South Korea
“An American chain selling a seafood dish named after an Australian town almost 200 kilometres from the nearest coastline, and sold in Korea,” said one bewildered Australian.
While others simply objected to Outback Steakhouse, an American chain that capitalizes on Australian culture.
“Outback Steakhouse is the most un-Australian restaurant in existence,” said one man.
An Australian who had tried the popular dish in Seoul spoke to the Korean manager about the dish with the unusual name.
The manager told him that most Koreans had no idea where Toowoomba was and thought it was just a random name for the delicious main course.
There are few people who have actually tasted the pasta and not complained about it.
“So good, I absolutely love it,” said one fan.
“It’s amazing,” agreed another.
Italians have not yet responded.