6 Korean festivals and markets to help curb your.....

Oh Korea. How you have captivated the world with glamourous K-pop stars and heart-wrenching dramas of love and life. But, apart from the obvious glitz, Korea also plays host to thousands of years of rich history and culture which should not be missed. Here, we shortlist a couple of markets and festival you need to visit before you can elevate your K-Fan status.

The Markets

Gwangjang Market

The Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest traditional markets in Seoul with over 100 years of history, and it’s one of the best places to sample some of Korea’s most mouthwatering dishes.

Upon entering the market, you’ll be greeted by endless rows of food vendors serving authentic local dishes like bindae-tteok (mung bean pancake), gimbap (seaweed wrapped rice), bibimbap (mixed rice), sundae (Korean sausage), and of course, kimchi.

Aside from the abundance of local fare, the Gwangjang Market also offers quality silken goods and fabrics, making it a popular destination for young fashionistas and couples looking for vintage wears and traditional wedding items.

Address: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: General stores 08:30-18:00
. Restaurants 08:30-23:00
. Clothing stores 21:00-10:00 (Next day)

Price Range: 2,000 to 5,000 Won (SGD2.50 to 6.25)

Tongin Market

Another popular food paradise worthy of your itinerary is the Tongin Market, famously known for the DIY-style Dosirak Café. The food hunt begins by first exchanging cash for a food tray and 10 traditional brass coins (yeopjeon).

The coins are then used to purchase various food items from the food vendors. Visitors wander around the marketplace, filling up their lunchbox with tasty and affordable eats and paying with the brass coins like in olden times.

Don’t miss the popular snack tteokbokki, a chewy and spicy rice cake fried in oil and chili paste – a speciality of Tongin every visitor must try.

Address: 18, Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Opening Hours: 7:00 – 21:00, closed every 3rd Sunday of month

Dosirak Cafe: 11:00-17:00 (last coins exchange until 16:00). Closed on Third Sunday of each month (Dosirak Cafe is closed on Mondays)

Price: 5,000 Won (SGD6.25) gets you 10 coins

Busan Gukje Market

You can find almost everything you need here at the Gukje Market, from electronics and kitchen appliances, to vintage handicrafts and even fresh fish! Imported products are also a specialty of the market, making it a popular shopping spot for both locals and foreigners alike, hence the name gukje, which means ‘international’ in Korean.

Chances of you getting lost here is pretty high, with its narrow alleyways and hundreds of stalls. Thankfully, all the paths wind up at either Bupyeong Market, Kkangton Market or Nampo shopping district, for even more retail therapy (no brass coins this time).

The busy lanes also make it an exciting spot for drama fans as it has served as backdrops to a number of Korea movies and dramas. Oppa, notice me!

Address: Sinchang-dong 4-ga, Jung-gu, Busan

Opening Hours: 9:00 – 20:00 Varies by store (closed on every 1st and 3rd Sundays)

Price Range: 2,000 to 5,000 Won (SGD2.50 to 6.25)

The Festivals

Gimje Horizon Festival

Known for being one of the biggest ‘must-visit’ festivals during fall, the Gimje Horizon Festival, held at the Byeokgolje Reservoir in Gimje city between late September to early October, is an agricultural extravaganza that promotes the thriving farming culture in Korea.

The event showcases some of the region’s most traditional farming methods and gives visitors a chance to take part in various eco-related programmes that include the makgeolli (Korean rice wine) festival, rural landscape drawing contest, international rice cook-off, kite-flying and tug-of-war competitions.

Festival-goers also get the chance to sample premium local delicacies (like hanwoo beef) and catch traditional folk performances to experience Korean culture at its finest.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is one of Korea’s biggest celebration of snow which takes place every year for the month of January (6th to 28th*). Locals and tourist alike flock to the frozen Hwacheonstream to take part in the wintertime carnival’s main event of ice fishing in an attempt to hook the fresh mountain trout (sancheoneo).

Those unfazed by the cold can choose to take a dip in the icy manmade pool for a shot at barehanded fishing. Your catch of the day can be either grilled and prepared sashimi-style right on the spot at the Sancheoneo Grill Centre for a small fee.

*Event dates is subjected to change due to weather conditions Aside from fishing, the festival also boasts a number of adrenaline-fuelled snow sports like ice-skating, ice soccer and bob-sleighing, as well as a winter village decorated with sculptures and colourful neon lights. Perfect for families!

Andong Mask Dance Festival

Dubbed the cultural capital of spirits and folklore, the 3000-year-old city of Andong makes an ideal venue for one of the nation’s most vibrant cultural affair.

With more than 50 traditional programmes being held over the 10-day-long celebration (from late September to early October), visitors will be mesmerised by a kaleidoscope of colour at the annual Mask Dance Festival. Join in the free-spirited fun, with captivating mask dance performances, puppet plays and world mask exhibits that show off the ritualistic heritage of this sacred Korean folk art.

Calling all K-culture junkies and food-lovers! Need help planning for your upcoming trip? We got you covered.