Theme: "Bibim, Connecting the World"
A Variety of Attractions Including the Bibimbap Parade
Jeonju City in North Jeolla Province will host the '2025 Jeonju Bibimbap Festival' over three days from October 24 to 26 at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium area.
According to the city on October 22, this year's festival will be held under the theme 'Bibim, Connecting the World.' A total of 21 bibim-themed dishes will be showcased, introducing the rich flavors of Jeonju to citizens and tourists visiting the festival.
The event is being prepared as a comprehensive cultural and artistic festival that satisfies all five senses, blending food, art, cultural events, and hands-on experiences. The highlight of the Bibimbap Festival, the 'Giant Bibim Performance,' will feature a special performance wishing for the successful bid to host the Summer Olympics. Other attractions include the 'Retro Bibimbap Street,' featuring 21 local organizations and Jeonju restaurants; the 'Bibimbap Parade,' starring bibimbap chefs and ingredients; and the 'Challenge Mini-Olympics,' a mini-Olympics experience zone.
This year, special zones will also be operated, such as the 'Bibim Friends Pop-up Store,' where Jeonju bibimbap ingredients are turned into characters; the 'Bibim Cultural Space,' offering an immersive experience of Jeonju bibimbap with all five senses; the 'UNESCO Creative City Promotion Zone,' where visitors can learn about Jeonju as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy; and the 'World Bibim Zone,' where visitors can taste bibim dishes from around the globe.
The festival will also feature a variety of interconnected programs, including busking, traditional outdoor plays, treasure hunts, stamp tours, bibim-themed performances, nighttime shows, and various other events.
On the first night of the Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, the celebratory stage 'Together Autumn' from 'Jeonju Festa 2025' will take place. This stage will feature a hologram show and multimedia show wishing for the Olympic bid, as well as performances by popular singers. On October 25 and 26, the main stage will host performances by local artists, children's shows, and nighttime 'Together Shows.' The experience zones will offer a variety of side events, including pop-up stores, a science playground, and traditional hands-on activities.
This year marks the 19th edition of the festival, which celebrates bibimbap, the essence of Korean culinary culture. Jeonju bibimbap is a dish made with rice cooked in beef bone broth, topped with bean sprouts, wild greens, raw beef, and five-colored garnishes. It is considered not just a simple mixture, but a philosophical dish that values color, taste, harmony, and balance.
Jeonju bibimbap has been recognized by CNN as one of the 'World's Best Rice Dishes,' and National Geographic has introduced it as a dish embodying the history of the Joseon Dynasty and the cultural heritage of Jeonju.
No Eunyoung, Director of Culture, Sports and Tourism at Jeonju City, said, "We plan to make this year's festival a celebration not only of Jeonju bibimbap but also of Jeonju's unique local cuisine, with a variety of programs that showcase the taste, style, and excitement of traditional Korea. We ask for your interest and participation in Jeonju's signature food festival, recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
