All festivals
FoodMCST Best

Sunchang Fermented Sauce Festival

순창장류축제

An autumn festival in Sunchang, Jeonbuk, the heartland of Korean gochujang and doenjang production, with fermentation workshops, sauce tastings, and direct sales from traditional jang (장) producers at Sunchang Gochujang Village.

October 16 – 18, 2026Sunchang, North Jeolla

About this festival

Sunchang has been producing gochujang since at least the 15th century, when it was listed as a royal tribute product. The festival at Sunchang Gochujang Village brings this heritage into a hands-on event where visitors can make their own jang in supervised workshops, taste dozens of gochujang varieties from spicy to mild, and buy directly from producers. The setting in the traditional-style gochujang village, with its rows of earthenware onggi jars, is a vivid introduction to the fermentation culture underlying Korean cuisine.

Getting there

Take the KTX from Seoul to Jeonju Station (about 1 hour 40 minutes), then a local bus to Sunchang (about 40 minutes). Intercity buses also run from Seoul Honam Bus Terminal to Sunchang directly (about 3 hours). The Gochujang Village festival site is a short taxi ride from Sunchang Bus Terminal.

Tips

Workshop spots fill up quickly; advance registration on the official site (Korean) is worth the effort. Bring small bills for direct purchases from farmers who may not have card terminals. Sunchang town has good jang-themed restaurants where lunch becomes its own tasting experience. October weather in Jeonbuk is typically mild and clear.

Dates by year

  • 2026

    October 16 – 18, 2026

    confirmed

Source: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Last verified 2026-05-09.