South Korea hosts inaugural Hansik Festa to celebrate Hansik Day

The inaugural Hansik Festa (HANSIK FESTA) drew approximately 75,000 visitors to the National Museum of Korea from October 23 to 25. The event was held to commemorate the designation of ‘Hansik Day’ (October 24) as a statutory holiday, aiming to promote Korean cuisine as a global cultural content and a key resource for gastronomic tourism.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Hansik Institute, visitor satisfaction reached 92.6%, with a 97% intention to revisit. The festival featured various programs, including cooking demonstrations by kimchi and vegetable masters, traditional food tastings, and modern K-dessert experiences. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung attended the event to encourage food masters and companies, highlighting the cultural value of traditional Korean ingredients.

Moving forward, the government plans to expand the ‘K-Gastronomy Journey’ by linking regional breweries and local specialties with modern food content to boost the local economy and attract international tourists.