"Come to the Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival"... Mapo District to Host Event from 17th to 19th Ahead of Kimchi-Making Season

Up to 15% Off Market Prices on Salted Shrimp from Six Regions
Salted Shrimp Market, Festival, Cooking Classes, and More

Mapo District in Seoul (District Mayor Park Kangsoo) will host the 18th Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival from October 17 to 19 at the Peace Plaza in World Cup Park. Held ahead of the kimchi-making season, this festival will offer high-quality salted shrimp at prices 10 to 15 percent lower than the market rate, while also presenting a variety of programs that blend traditional and modern culture.

Kimchi making with foreigners at last year's salted shrimp festival. Provided by Mapo District.

This year’s slogan, “Mapo Embraces More, Shrimp Brings More, Festival Connects More,” heralds a grand opening with a reenactment of the port culture of the old Mapo Naru, including the parade of the local magistrate and the arrival of the traditional yellow-sailed boat. The street parade, which runs from in front of Mapo District Office to the waterfront stage at Peace Plaza, will feature District Mayor Park Kangsoo, a traditional military band, and a folk music troupe, inviting residents to participate through traditional courtyard performances. During the festival, an LED yellow-sailed boat will float on Nanji Pond, creating a scene that blends tradition and sentiment.

At the festival site, a range of hands-on programs for families, youth, and foreigners will be available, including the “Old Mapo Photo Exhibition,” a shrimp-catching AR game, a limbo contest, shrimp necklace and slime making, and a kimchi-making event with salted shrimp for foreigners. There will also be a pet culture festival, cooking classes, an environmental musical, a health walking event, as well as yoga and meditation sessions.

The music stage will also be abundant. On October 17, there will be performances by the Mapo District Choir and vocalists; on October 18, a 1970s and 1980s concert and programs featuring Park Seojin and Sookhaeng; and on October 19, the festival will conclude with performances by popular singers such as Lee Chanwon and Namjin. Each day, there will also be classical performances by Lee Sanghee & Friends.

At the salted shrimp market, eight companies from six regions-Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Boryeong, Sorae, Shinan, and Buan-will participate, offering products with both quality and price competitiveness. A marketplace for specialty products from 16 cities and counties nationwide that have partnerships with Mapo District will also operate, providing a variety of agricultural and specialty goods. Continuing its eco-friendly approach this year, the food market will use reusable containers, and a drone light show will replace fireworks.

District Mayor Park Kangsoo stated, “This year, we have strengthened the identity of the Salted Shrimp Festival and expanded resident participation programs to make it a festival where everyone can be the main character,” adding, “We hope for much interest and participation in this festival that encompasses tradition, culture, engagement, and the environment.”

Scene of the Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival sales site. Provided by Mapo District.