Sunchang Jangryu Festival
Oct 15 – Oct 18, 2026 · Jeollabuk-do
Overview
*The information below is based on the 2025 festivals. Details for the 2026 festivals will be updated as they become available.*Experience the most iconic spicy flavor of Korean cuisine, gochujang (red chili paste). This festival takes place in Sunchang, the renowned home of gochujang. Visitors can try spicy and savory dishes made with Sunchang gochujang, partake in programs such as making red chili paste, and check out the festival’s performances, exhibitions, and shops. The biggest attraction is the “Sunchang gochujang offering procession to the King.” It is an reenactment based on the records of King Taejo's (born Yi Seong-gye), founder of the Joseon dynasty, love for the taste of Sunchang gochujang. During the event, a music procession and porters with a wagon loaded with crocks of chili paste perform a march around the village. Visitors can also check out the new Fermentation Theme Park, where they can learn the scientific principles of food through microbial experiments.◎ TipTteokbokki is a must-eat Korean street food. Don’t miss the “Sunchang Tteokbokki Town,” where you can try a variety of tteokbokki dishes made using Sunchang’s fermented sauces.
Why go
Sunchang is Korea's best-known gochujang-producing region, and this festival centers on that identity: visitors can taste dishes made with local red chili paste, join paste-making programs, and watch exhibitions and performances at the Gochujang Village. The signature event is a reenactment of the 'Sunchang gochujang offering procession to the King,' based on records of King Taejo's (Yi Seong-gye) fondness for Sunchang gochujang, with a music procession and porters carrying paste-filled crocks through the village. The new Fermentation Theme Park adds hands-on microbial experiments explaining the science behind the paste.
Getting there from Seoul
Sunchang-gun has no train station, so the most direct option is an intercity/express bus from Seoul to Sunchang bus terminal. Alternatively, take a KTX to Jeongeup or Namwon and transfer to a local bus or taxi for the final stretch to the festival site at Sunchang Gochujang Village. Confirm current bus schedules before travelling, as routes and frequency can change.
Tips
- Try the tteokbokki at Sunchang Tteokbokki Town, made with the region's fermented sauces.
- Wearing red clothing may qualify you for a discount, so pack something red.
- Festival hours run 09:00-21:00 across a village-sized area, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
Best for: food lovers, families, culture/history, photographers.
Photos
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization 
Photo: Korea Tourism Organization
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Dates and programs can change. Check the official site before you go. Official site