A study was performed to assess dietary intake and serum levels of $eta$-carotene and the influence of preference for hot taste on $eta$-carotene intake in Korean female college students. Daily intake of $eta$-carotene was estimated with a questionnaire composed of food item of high $eta$-carotene contents and the average daily intake level was 4089$pm$2400$mu extrm{g}$. The major sources of $eta$-carotene included carrot, pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes and red pepper powder. 14$pm$10% of total dietary $eta$-carotene intake was from foods containing red pepper powder. The average amount of red pepper powder added to bean sprout soupr were 0.32$pm$0.34g. Subjects preferring hot taste added significantly larger amount of red pepper powder(p<0.05) than those not preferring hot taste. Subjects of the lowest quartile of $eta$-carotene intake level showed the lowest precentage of subjects preferring hot taste. The average serum $eta$-carotene concentration was 36.5$mu extrm{g}$/dl and large variation in the amount among the subject has been observed. The level of dietary $eta$-carotene intake and serum $eta$-carotene concentration of Korean female college students were not significantly correlated but both were higher than levels in reports from western countries. These results indicate that $eta$-carotene intake levels of the subjects are adequate and the preference for hot taste affects $eta$-carotene intake significantly.