Enjoy the aroma of coffee in Gangneung and taste dumplings in Wonju... Head to Gangwon State this fall

【Financial News, Gangneung and Wonju = Kim Gi-seop, Staff Writer】This weekend, autumn festivals in the two cities are welcoming travelers side by side: at Anmok Beach in Gangneung, visitors can enjoy 100 kinds of hand-drip coffee brewed by 100 people, while at Wonju Stream in Wonju, they can sample dumplings ranging from kimchi mandu to varieties from around the world.
According to the Gangneung Cultural Foundation and the Wonju Cultural Foundation on the 23rd, two major food festivals representing Yeongdong and Yeongseo, the eastern and western parts of Gangwon State, are taking place simultaneously through the 25th. The 18th Gangneung Coffee Festival, which opened on the 21st, is continuing along Gangneung Coffee Street and elsewhere in Gangneung, while the 2026 Wonju Mandu Festival, now in its fourth year, opens today at Wonju Stream (Saebyeok Market) and around Culture Street.
The highlights of the Gangneung festival are concentrated on Saturday, the 24th. At 2 p.m., 100 participants will brew hand-drip coffee simultaneously in the “100 People, 100 Flavors” performance at the Global Coffee Lounge. At 8 p.m., fireworks launched from the breakwater at Gangneung Port will light up the night sky over the autumn sea. Every day from 6 to 8 p.m., the “A Starry Night” program invites visitors to enjoy coffee while gazing at the night sea from a sandy beach illuminated with lights.


At the Songjeong Pine Grove Coffee Picnic Zone, broadcaster Noh Hong-chul will hold a book concert on the 24th, and musician and writer Yozoh will hold one on the 25th, both from 1 to 3 p.m. Family activities such as a kids’ playground and a coffee sports day are also planned. The “All Kinds of Gangneung Coffee” feature offers free tastings of signature drinks from local cafes four times a day, while the “All Kinds of Coffee Beans” shop is selling beans and drip bags from roastery cafes at a 10% discount. As some sections of Gangneung Coffee Street will be closed to traffic during the festival, taking the free shuttle buses that circulate around the area is a convenient option.
An official from the Gangneung Cultural Foundation said, “Since the 100 People, 100 Flavors hand-drip performance, Noh Hong-chul’s book concert and the Gangneung Port fireworks will all take place on Saturday alone, visitors who come that day can experience the festival at its best.” The official added, “Please make use of the free shuttle buses to get around comfortably and enjoy the autumn sea and coffee through the final day.”


A dumpling festival for food-loving travelers awaits in Wonju. Launched to bring life to traditional markets and the old downtown commercial district with dumplings unique to Wonju, the festival drew more than 400,000 visitors last year and established itself as a nationwide food festival. This year, the event site has moved from Wonil-ro to Wonju Stream and the area around Culture Street to ease the inconvenience to residents caused by road closures and allow visitors to enjoy the festival at their leisure along the broad riverside.
Wonju Mandu Zone, along Wonju Stream, will serve familiar favorites such as Wonju kimchi mandu as well as distinctive, original dumplings. At Culture Street, visitors can sample global dumplings showcasing specialties from around the world. Performances and hands-on activities will continue throughout the festival, including a cooking show by promotional ambassador and chef Jung Ji-sun.
On the first night, the Wonju Stream Nak-hwa-nori, being presented for the first time this year, will light up the sky above the stream alongside the opening ceremony. The ceremony has been redesigned to do away with formal speeches such as opening remarks and congratulatory addresses; instead, residents in attendance will declare the festival open together.


After sampling the dumplings, visitors may want to continue on to the traditional markets. A traditional market tour, a stamp rally and a receipt-reward event will run along Mandu Road, which connects the festival site with the markets, adding to the fun of exploring the market lanes. Visitors can scan the QR codes placed throughout the festival site with their smartphones to see booth menus and prices, as well as a map of the venue.
The City of Wonju is running shuttle buses on three routes linking Wonju Station, Wonju Intercity Bus Terminal, the Dancing Performance Hall, Wonju City Hall and the Innovation City, and has also secured temporary parking lots. It has added restrooms and rest facilities and assigned safety staff to ensure visitors’ convenience and safety.
Wonju Mayor Gu Ja-yeol said, “By moving the festival site to Wonju Stream, we have eased inconvenience for residents and expanded the things to enjoy, from kimchi mandu and dumplings from around the world to the first-ever Nak-hwa-nori.” He added, “I hope you’ll follow Mandu Road, explore the traditional markets and the old downtown lanes, and enjoy autumn in Wonju.”

[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter