Encountering the Makdak Festival at Gongjicheon in Chuncheon
Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival Runs at Gongjicheon Until the 19th
Four Themed Zones and a Stage Blending Gourmet Food and Art
The representative gourmet festival of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the '2025 Chuncheon Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival,' will be held from October 16 to 19 along the Gongjicheon Trail (around 586 Onui-dong).
This year, the festival has shifted its paradigm from a simple food-centric event to an 'urban comprehensive gourmet festival' where the entire city comes together through cuisine and culture. Breaking away from the previous single-venue format, the main site is now set along the Gongjicheon riverside and the festive atmosphere will expand throughout the city, including Myeongdong, Onui-dong, Hupyeong-dong, and Sinbuk-eup.
The festival is titled 'All tastes, 2025 Chuncheon Makguksu·Dakgalbi Festival,' with the main logo slogan: "When you encounter Makdak, the thrill of taste resonates through your whole body!"
This year, in particular, many of Chuncheon's most renowned Dakgalbi and Makguksu restaurants will participate, drawing significant attention. For Dakgalbi, ten establishments will join: Tongnamujip, Todam, Woosung, 1.5, Sansokui, Keunjibung, Jangho, Myeongdong Myeongmul, Biwabyeol (Aemakgol), and Nakwondong Sutbul. For Makguksu, five restaurants will take part: Yupori, Saembat, Sigol, Toegye, and Byuldang. Prices at the event will be standardized at 9,900 won for a 200g serving of Dakgalbi and 7,000 won for Makguksu.
In addition, vehicle access to the main event area around Gongjicheon will be restricted, creating a car-free festival street where visitors can safely and comfortably enjoy food and culture while strolling through the city. Parking will be available at the Cheulleong Bridge temporary lot (432-3 Geunhwa-dong) and the underground parking lot at Moda Outlet. Shuttle buses will operate to and from the venue every 30 minutes, and city buses No. 16 and 16-1 will also reach the festival site.
The opening ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m. on October 16. During the ceremony, Chuncheon City will host the 'K-Food Vision Declaration,' aiming to promote the global appeal of Chuncheon's Makguksu and Dakgalbi. On October 16, the popular TV show 'Tasty Guys' will film at the festival, and on October 17, famous mukbang YouTuber Tzuyang will be invited for special events and to enjoy the Makguksu Dakgalbi Festival. The evening of October 17 will feature a performance by singer Huh Gak, while October 18 will include a variety of performances such as the Great Taekwondo Show and Deokho Band.
The festival content has also changed significantly. The city has divided the Gongjicheon venue into four zones: LOCAL EAT, JUST DO EAT, SHAKE EAT, and PLAY EAT. Moving away from the previous focus on night markets and trot music performances, the space has been reimagined as a new festival model that revitalizes local businesses, brands, and tourism together.
At LOCAL EAT, visitors will find a farmers' market and flea market, offering a taste and feel of local flavors in one place. Gamja Yeondaegi and Hwadong 2571 will also be present, showcasing Chuncheon's representative brands. The JUST DO EAT zone will feature Chuncheon's signature dishes, Dakgalbi and Makguksu, as well as local foods and traditional liquors. The 'International Pavilion' will allow visitors to experience cuisines from around the world, while the 'Food Tech Zone' will showcase robot-cooked dishes. SHAKE EAT, where stage performances are held, forms the heart of the festival, and PLAY EAT is designed for families, featuring play experiences and pop-up stores.
Additionally, in partnership with Ottogi, the festival will present Ottogi Dakgalbi Rice Bowl and Iron Plate Dakgalbi Fried Rice. Exhibitions such as the Lake Garden Pavilion and the '100 Years of Ice Sports' photo exhibition will allow visitors to experience Chuncheon's culture and history, elevating the festival's blend of gourmet food and art. Beyond Gongjicheon, performances and hands-on events will also take place at major city hubs such as Myeongdong, Sinbuk, Onui, and Hupyeong, transforming the entire city into a festival stage.
The city expects that local cuisine centered on Makguksu and Dakgalbi will become a recognized brand, revitalizing local businesses as citizens and tourists walk and spend time together. Furthermore, with the participation of the local food industry, young chefs, and farmers' markets, the city aims to enhance the competitive edge of Chuncheon's gourmet industry.
A city official stated, "We will promote Chuncheon's flavors, symbolized by Makguksu and Dakgalbi, to the world and create a festival where citizens and merchants can celebrate together. We will continue to develop this into a truly Chuncheon-style gourmet festival that brings every corner of the city to life."
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