Festivals in Seoul for the Food and Drinks Lovers

Seoul Food Festival 04/28/2017-05/05/2017

Image source: http://www.seoulfoodfest.co.kr/en/programs_view.php?category=2017PROGRAMS&idx=20

Seoul Food Festival is a seven-day event celebrating gourmet flavors and featuring various signature dishes from world-class restaurants [1]. The festival is divided into three types of events: luxurious banquet gatherings at top hotels, grand outdoor picnic events with over 50,000 participants, and cooking shows from Michelin Star chefs. The festival kicks off April 28 on Jeju Island (제주도) with the opening event Tasty Jeju. The event will combine the world’s best chefs with traditional recipes from Jeju for brand-new fusion dishes.

From May 3^rd, the festival will move to the mainland, with four categories of dinner shows (Grand Star Dinner, Grand Gala Dinner, Solo Dinner, Fourhands Dinner) taking place at famous hotels in Seoul (서울) and Busan (부산). These dinners will provide a unique experience to enjoy course meals prepared by teams of Korean and international chefs [2].

On May 5^th, the festival will wrap up with the large Picnic on the Bridge event taking place in Banpo Hangang Park (반포한강공원). This grand-scale outdoor event will feature food trucks as well as cuisine from fancy restaurants. The area is divided into a few zones including the Chef Zone, Food Truck Zone, Wine Zone, and Korean Masters Zone. Additional events include performances by idol groups U-KISS and Laboum, as well as cooking classes and other experience activities for visitors to enjoy [3].

Seoul Food Festival Crowd

Top chef’s Giant Bibimbap (비빔밥): World famous Michelin chefs make a giant Bibimbap at the festival (Source: http://www.seoulfoodfest.co.kr/en/programs_view.php?category=2017PROGRAMS&idx=20)

World’s Top Pizza chef Franco Pepe makes pizza for the public along the Han River (한강) (Source: http://www.seoulfoodfest.co.kr/en/programs_view.php?category=2017PROGRAMS&idx=20)

Food Artists Carving Competition (Source: http://www.seoulfoodfest.co.kr/en/programs_view.php?category=2017PROGRAMS&idx=20)

Street Food and Food Trucks of restaurants from Seoul’s trendiest districts gathered at the festival (Source: http://www.seoulfoodfest.co.kr/en/programs_view.php?category=2017PROGRAMS&idx=20)

Korea’s Idols gathered at the festival for performances (Source: http://www.seoulfoodfest.co.kr/en/programs_view.php?category=2017PROGRAMS&idx=20)

More information about the Outdoor festival:

Website: http://www.seoulfoodfest.com

Event period: May 5^th, 2017

Location: Banpogyo Bridge (Area of Banpo Hangang Park) (반포대교 반포한강공원)

How to get there:

Get off at Gubanpo Station (구반포역) (Seoul Subway Line 9), Exit 3 and cross the street and continue walking for about 10min (630m) to Banpo Hangang Park.

Source: Google Maps

Seoul Dessert Fair – 04/29/2017-04/30/2017

Source: https://raview.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/picture/image/189/1.jpg

The 9th Seoul Dessert Fair takes place in Yangjae-dong (양재동) at the aT Center (aT센터) on April 29th and 30th, 2017. The festival’s theme is Strawberries. There will be many homemade desserts such as strawberry yogurts, organic strawberry jams, and cakes decorated with strawberries; homemade bakeries, and handmade sweets. Additionally, there will be accessories and jewelry to browse and buy [4].

Image source: http://www.ticketmonster.co.kr/deal/526522186?is_adult=N&adult_type=N&keyword

Event details:

Time Period: April 29, 2017-April 30, 2017

Address: aT Center, 27 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06774 (서울특별시 서초구 강남대로 27 aT센터)

Website: http://www.ticketmonster.co.kr/deal/526522186?is_adult=N&adult_type=N&keyword

Ticket price: Onsite: 5,000 Won

Map:

Source: Google Maps

Great Korean Beer festival – 04/28/2017-05/07/2017

Source: Great Korean Beer Festival Facebook page

The Great Korean Beer Festival is a 10-day festival, launched in 2003, hosted alongside with COEX C-Festival and carries nationwide craft beers from small breweries. About 27 local breweries and beer importers will be presenting over 170 craft beers. You will be able to find special events including Meet the Brewer sessions where you can learn fun facts about beer. This year, visitors will have a chance to tap into beers basics and learn how to best sample a beer!

Image Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/04/177_228296.html

Moreover, a wide selection of international cuisine including ham, paella, nachos, sausages, hot dogs and chicken that pair well with beer will also be available at the festival! [5]

Visitors will also be enjoying a series of live performances. The schedule is as follows:

(Image source: GKBF Facebook page)

Last year, in May 2016, around 220,000 visitors enjoyed the fest at the same venue. This year, the organizers are expecting 300,000 visitors.

Time Period: April 28, 2017 to May 7, 2017 from 1pm to 10pm

Location: COEX outdoor area, G20 Plaza and SM Town Plaza 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영동대로, G20 플라자 & SM타운플라자 513, 코엑스 야외지역)

How to get there:

Get off at Samseong Station (삼성역) (Line 2), exit 5 or 6.

Website: http://greatkoreanbeerfestival.com

Map:

Source: Google Maps

Festival Map:

Image Source: GKBF Facebook page

The Beer Week Seoul – 05/03/2017-05/07/2017

Source: The Beer Week Seoul’s Facebook page

Image Source: https://www.timeout.com/seoul/things-to-do/the-beer-week-seoul

Event details:

Time Period: May 3, 2017 to May 7, 2017

Address: Common Ground, 17-1 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 광진구 17-1 커먼그라운드)

How to get there:

Get off at Konkuk University Station (건대입구역) (Line 2)

Price: Early Bird Tickets are available at a price of 25,000 won for entrance and five glasses of craft beer. Entrance tickets will be available on-site.

Map:

Source: Google Maps

The Korean Cooks Federation Competition – 05/18-05/21

Image source: https://www.timeout.com/seoul/things-to-do/the-korean-cooks-federation-competition

If you are a culinary fanatic and would like to learn about Korea cuisine, this is an event not to miss. Last year, 4,737 aspiring and up-and-coming chefs competed for cooking and baking and 35,000 visitors were on site. The 4-day competition happening from May 18th to 21st will be divided into several categories including cold and hot dishes, desserts, snacks, cocktails, Korean cuisine and even table service and setting.[6]

Event details:

Time period: May 18, 2017-May 21, 2017

Address: 27, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서초구 강남대로 27)

How to get there:

Get off at Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station (양재시민의숲역), exit 4

Map: