Geumcheon District to Host Traditional Food Culture Festival Featuring Jang Making on November 9

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the District and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Inscription
'Geumcheon Gang Hee-maeng Jangdokdae' Project Gains Momentum

Geumcheon District in Seoul (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) will host the '1st Geumcheon Traditional Food Culture Festival' on November 9 to celebrate both the 30th anniversary of the district's founding and the inscription of 'Korean Jang Making Culture' on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival will highlight the value of traditional fermented foods, in connection with Geumcheon's signature traditional culture program, the 'Gang Hee-maeng Jangdokdae' project.

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon District, is promoting the excellence of traditional food culture at the Geumcheon Gang Hee-maeng Jangdokdae Experience Center. Provided by Geumcheon District.

The 'Geumcheon Gang Hee-maeng Jangdokdae' is a specialized project of Geumcheon District that modernizes the jang-making methods recorded in 'Sasichanyocho,' a book written by Joseon-era scholar Gang Hee-maeng in the Geumcheon area. Launched in 2019 with 478 participants, the project has seen increasing participation each year, with 1,487 residents taking part in the first half of this year alone, demonstrating strong community engagement.

The project consists of programs such as 'Geumcheon Woori Jangdokdae,' which combines hands-on jang making and healthy eating education; 'Geumcheon Children's Family Jangdokdae,' which is designed for families; and 'Visiting Gang Hee-maeng Cooking Class,' where participants learn to cook dishes using the jang they have made. In June, the district also opened the 'Geumcheon Gang Hee-maeng Jangdokdae Experience Center,' where residents can participate in hands-on activities.

Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon stated, "Due to the busy modern lifestyle, the rapid increase in consumption of processed and convenience foods has led to serious dietary problems," adding, "I hope residents can find answers for their health through our traditional foods."

Mayor Yoo emphasized, "Just as jang making was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list at the end of last year for fostering community peace and a sense of belonging, we are promoting intergenerational communication and a culture of sharing within the community through jang. We are also helping to revive the disappearing culture of village communities."

Through the festival, Geumcheon District will present a variety of experiential programs linked to the 'Geumcheon Gang Hee-maeng Jangdokdae.' The event will feature a food culture experience center themed around five colors, a 'Salt Playground' where visitors can learn about ingredients for fermented foods, as well as samulnori performances and traditional folk game experiences.

In addition, the 'Five Senses Korean Restaurant,' featuring local businesses that carry on traditional food culture, will offer a variety of traditional foods, including fermented sauces such as doenjang, ganjang, and cheonggukjang, as well as sikhye and Makgeolli.

Meanwhile, the district has developed a resident-centered local food brand called 'Geumcheon Maeul Doenjang Omiwon,' utilizing its accumulated know-how in making doenjang and ganjang. Geumcheon Maeul Doenjang Omiwon is made with only three ingredients-Korean soybean meju, Korean salt, and purified water-boasting a deep and clean flavor.

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon District (second from left), and residents are making red pepper paste. Provided by Geumcheon District Office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.