"Autumn Deepens in Gangwon Province: Festivals in Full Swing"... Makguksu, Korean Beef, Mandu, and Coffee Festivals Held

【Financial News Chuncheon = Reporter Kim Ki-seop】Gangwon Province will host a series of themed festivals featuring its signature dishes—makguksu, Korean beef, mandu, and coffee—from the 16th of this month through early November.
The Chuncheon Makguksu & Dakgalbi Festival, one of Gangwon Province’s most renowned food festivals, will take place from the 16th to the 19th.
This year, to maximize the festival’s impact, the event has been moved from summer to autumn, and its venues have expanded from Gongji Stream Riverside to locations across the city, including Myeong-dong, Onui-dong, Hupyeong-dong, and Sinbuk-eup.
The main festival site at Gongji Stream Riverside will feature booths for dakgalbi and makguksu, a flea market, a food tech exhibition hall, and an international pavilion. Live performances are also scheduled, with acts such as Huh Gak, Jiksi, Grimhylde, Deokho Band, Soul Train, Kim Master Trio, and Sido Band taking the stage.
Notably, on the 17th, Tzuyang, a pioneering mukbang YouTuber with 12.4 million subscribers, will visit the festival.
The 25th Goseong Myeongtae Festival will be held from the 17th to the 19th. During the festival, a variety of programs will take place, including a pollack memory storytelling contest, Goseong fishing song experiences, and pollack gutting activities. Additional attractions include the 'Pollack Lounge' in collaboration with Korean culinary masters, the 'Pollack Wish Paper' mural stage, and the 'Pollack Beach Bar' set up along the coast.
The 2025 Yangyang Salmon Festival will run for three days from the 24th to the 26th at the Namdaecheon riverside area in Yangyang-eup. Under the theme 'Embracing the River and Salmon of Namdaecheon,' the festival will offer a variety of hands-on and cultural programs along the river.
The bare-handed salmon catching event allows 200 participants per session, twice daily for three days, accommodating a total of 1,200 people. The participation fee is 30,000 won, and attendees can grill and enjoy their catch on site. Special programs include a talk show with Ahn Do-hyun, author of the novel 'Salmon,' and tastings of native salmon sashimi.


Starting on the 22nd, the Hoengseong Korean Beef Festival will be held for five days at Seomgang Riverside Park. This year’s festival features three main themes—food, culture & arts, and experiences—with a total of 15 programs.
The festival’s signature food program, 'Hoengseong Korean Beef Grill,' is organized by three local livestock associations and offers seating for 2,000 guests, enhancing visitor convenience. Over 600 local residents participate in the event, hosting a local food zone, F&B zone, and performances by regional art groups.
From the 24th, the 2025 Wonju Mandu Festival will be held for three days at the Jungang-dong Traditional Market, Culture Street, and Wonil-ro in Wonju. The festival grounds will include a main stage, Wonju Mandu Zone and Global Gourmet Zone, a cultural platform, Mandu Broadcasting Station, flea market, and experience zone.
The Wonju Mandu Zone and Global Gourmet Zone, featuring booths that have passed rigorous selection and screening, are the festival’s core attractions where visitors can taste authentic Wonju mandu.
On the 25th and 26th, the third Forest Bread Market will be held at Elysian Gangchon in Chuncheon.
Billed as 'the only bread festival in Korea accessible by train,' this large-scale event will bring together popular bakeries from across the country and local small business brands from Gangwon Province, offering a diverse array of flavors and unique creations.
In Gangneung, the Gangneung Coffee Festival and Gangneung Noodle Festival—autumn’s signature events that were postponed due to last summer’s drought—will be held simultaneously from the 30th to November 2nd.
Gangneung Coffee Street will be filled with the aroma of coffee and the scent of the sea, while Wolhwa Street will overflow with delicious noodle stories. More than just a celebration, these festivals aim to deliver a message of unity and hope from citizens who have overcome adversity.



kees26@fnnews.com Kim Ki-seop Reporter