SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: A Korean beef franchise said Tuesday (1 Apr) it would open its first store in the Chinese capital of Beijing to expand its overseas business, reported Yonhap News Agency.

Byeokje Galbi, the Korean grilled meat house voted one of the top 10 restaurants in Asia by The Asian Wall Street Journal in 2003, said it has signed a contract with a local hotel chain Hainan Hotel to launch the joint-venture restaurant in the world's most populous country from July.

Galbi is a popular Korean dish made from beef ribs, primarily marinated in a sauce made from Korean soy sauce along with garlic and sugar.

Under the contract, the Chinese hotel chain will pay a 3-per-cent of annual revenue as a royalty to the Korean company, it said.

It's the first time for a Korean food franchise to open its store in China on a royalty-payment basis, the Korean company said.

"Our aim is to make Byeokje Galbi the best dining brand in China," said Kim Young-hwan, chairman of the Korean company. (The Korea Herald/ ANN)