In South Korea the second half of 2014 will be full of interesting festivals and events related to food and hospitality and there will be plenty of options to choose from.
Today we give you some suggestion, and if you are a food passionate, have your own food business or you are just simply curious about the new culinary trends, you will surely find something interesting that you might want to attend.
June – September 2014
Toechon Tomato festival: tomato is cultivated in Toechon since the 70s and with time and the perfecting of the growing techniques, the tomatoes of this area are nowadays considered some of the best in South Korea. Visitors will be able to meet local producers and purchase tomatoes at discounted price
- 20 – 22 June 2014 ( Friday to Sunday)
- Tomato festival venue in Jeongji-ri, Toechon-myeon, Gwangju-si
- https://english.gjcity.go.kr/eng_tourism/toechon.asp
Bisfe – Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo: an occasion to build business relationships in the fishery industry as well as showcase of the latest discovery in seafood processing and marine research. Big exhibition of processed seafood and sea products.
- 2 – 5 July 2014
- Bexco (Busan Exhibition & Convention Center) 55 Apec-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan,612-704
- http://www.bisfe.com/eng/main/main.php
Hwacheon Tomato Festival: Another tomato festival, this time in the Gangwon province, centered on the well-know Hwacheon tomato. The valley and mountains of the area provide an ideal soil for the growth of delicious tomatoes. Prepare to assist and join to tomato eating contests, tomato slides and tomato beauty treatments. Also Traditional Korean music shows, performances and firework show will be held
- 1 – 3 August 2014 (Friday to Sunday)
- Sanae-myeon area in Hwacheon-gun Gangwon-do
- http://www.tomatofestival.co.kr/
Geumsan Insam (Ginseng) Festival: this festival will take place in the Geumsan county, where are located some of biggest producer of ginseng in South Korea. This event will celebrate ginseng and its amazing properties by offering live shows, a ginseng market, a ginseng cooking contest and many other activities.
- 19 – 28 September 2014
- Chungcheongnam-do, Geumsan-gun, Geumsan Ginseng Pavilion Plaza
- http://tour.geumsan.go.kr/html/tour/festival/festival_0204.html
October- December 2014
Songi Mushroom Festival: Songi (pine mushroom) is a precious mushroom also known as “golden mushroom” and “diamond in the tree”. People will be able to visit the natural habitat where this mushroom grows, learn more about why it is so precious and taste delicious food prepared with Songi. Reservation is compulsory
- Late September – Early October
- Yangyang-gun, Namdaecheon area
- http://eng.yangyang.go.kr/page/foreign/eng/sub04_03_01.jsp
Gwangju Kimchi Cultural Festival: the city of Gwangju will celebrate Kimchi, one of most representative dishes of Korea, by giving visitors the chance to discover more about the preparation of this dish as well taste Kimchi from all over the country. Moreover there will be concerts, performances and contests. A must see if you are interested in Korean cuisine.
- October
- Gwangju-si, Seo-gu, Gwangju World Cup Stadium
- http://kimchi.gwangju.go.kr/
Icheon Rice Festival: Icheon’s rice is known to be one of the best in Korea thanks to the fertile soil and mild weather of the area. The festival offers the chance to learn more about traditional farming and taste delicious rice dishes
- 30 October – 3 November 2014
- Seolbong Park, Icheon, Gyeonggi-do
- http://www.ricefestival.or.kr/en/main/main.php
The Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood: Jeotgal (fermented seafood) is a key ingredient in Korean cuisine and in Ganggyeong is located one of the oldest seafood markets in Korea. Taste and discovery many kinds of Jeotgal and purchase it at a discounted price
- 15 – 19 October 2014
- 7-49, Geumbaek-ro, Ganggyeong-eup, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Ganggyeong port, Jeotgal market, and Jeotgal Pavilion
- http://www.ggfestival.net
Food week Korea: this event will put together in the Coex center in Seoul some of the best producer of the food industry. Food and beverage, ingredients, machinery, kitchen utensils will be some of the products on display. South Korea is growing as one of the leaders in the food industry and this event is a great chance to create business relationship with domestic and international clients.
- From 12 – 15 November 2014 (Wed to Sat)
- Coex Center (Convention & Exhibition) 135-731, Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu Seoul, South Korea
- http://foodweek.co.kr/
Seoul International Coffee Show: the 13th edition of the Coffee Show, biggest Asian event focused on coffee, will showcase the growing coffee culture of the continent. It will be the chance to create business networks with other coffee importers and producers from all over the world and visitors will have the chance to taste many products made with coffee.
- From 20 – 23 November 2014
- Coex Hall A, B, C,D Seoul, Korea
- http://www.cafeshow.com/eng/seoul/main.jsp
Busan International Tea and Crafts fair: the fair aims to promote business relationships and the cultural exchange through the integration of tea and crafts. During the fair there will be exhibition of tea, tea ware and pottery as well as many workshops of, among others, tea ceremony and bakery.
- From 27 – 30 November 2014
- Bexco (Busan Exhibition & Convention Center) 55 Apec-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan,612-704
- http://teafair.co.kr/main.php
Gwanju International food fair: the Gwanju international food fair will showcase products (food, confectionery, beverages, coffe, tea) from all over the world.
- from 1 – 31 November 2014
- Kimdaejung Convention Center 1159-2 Chipyeong-dong, Seogu, Gwangju-si 502-828
- http://www.foodshow.kr/en/
Busan Organic and Natural Fair: This event is one of the biggest of its kind in South Korea. Huge amount of organic and natural food and related products will be displayed. There will be also seminars aimed to raise awareness about the organic food market and culture, following the trend of increasing interest in this products in South Korea.
- from 4 – 7 December 2014
- Bexco (Busan Exhibition & Convention Center) 55 Apec-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan,612-704
- http://busanorganic.co.kr/home/
The events we have listed above are some of the most interesting happening in South Korea in the next few months, and if you will attend them, please share your experience with us. If there is a food festival or event that you think is interesting but we haven’t mentioned in this article, add a comment below.