Chuseok in Seoul: A One-Day Food and Culture Itinerary
Chuseok is one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays. It falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar and is usually a time for family gatherings, shared meals, and remembering ancestors.
Chuseok is often described in English as “Korean Thanksgiving.” That comparison is useful as a quick introduction, but the two holidays do not have exactly the same history or customs. Korean families also celebrate Chuseok in different ways. Some hold an ancestral memorial ritual called charye, while others keep the holiday simple with a family meal, a short trip, or a visit to relatives.
For an international visitor, the most respectful and practical way to experience Chuseok is through public cultural spaces, seasonal food, traditional games, and Seoul’s historic neighborhoods. This one-day Seoul itinerary combines a royal palace, Korean holiday food, hands-on culture, and a traditional market.
1. Before You Go: Chuseok Dates, Closures, and Travel Tips
In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Friday, September 25. The official holiday period runs from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, September 26.
Many Koreans travel to their hometowns during the holiday. Central Seoul can feel quieter than usual, but train stations, express bus terminals, and highways may be extremely busy.
Check the following before leaving your hotel:
- Holiday opening hours for palaces, museums, and cultural centers
- Whether individual restaurants and market stalls are open
- Reservation rules for craft workshops and performances
- Last admission and last-order times
- Subway and bus schedules for the evening
Traditional markets do not operate like a single department store. The market building or alley may be accessible while many individual vendors remain closed. Never assume that every stall will be open on Chuseok Day.
As of September 17, 2026, Monday, September 28 is not an automatic substitute holiday. Do not count it as part of the official holiday unless the Korean government makes a separate announcement.
2. 9:30 a.m. — Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanbok
Start your day at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Its large courtyards, painted wooden halls, ponds, and mountain views make it one of the best places in Seoul to see traditional Korean architecture.
From September through October, the standard opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with final admission at 5:00 p.m. Hours and accessible areas can still change because of events, inspections, construction, or special holiday arrangements.
From September 2 through October 31, 2026, access to the stone platform around Geunjeongjeon Hall is restricted. Visitors can still view the hall, but they may not be able to walk onto the platform.
A Simple Palace Route
- Enter through Gwanghwamun Gate.
- Walk through Heungnyemun Gate.
- See Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall.
- Continue to Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and its pond.
- Explore the royal living quarters.
- Finish near Hyangwonjeong Pavilion.
Allow around 90 minutes to two hours. Renting a hanbok can make the visit more memorable, but check whether hair accessories, bags, lockers, and overtime fees are included in the rental price.
- Wear comfortable shoes under the hanbok.
- Lift long skirts slightly when using stairs.
- Do not lean props or accessories against historic buildings.
- Follow the official hanbok guidelines if you want complimentary general admission.
- Special exhibitions and ticketed programs may still require payment.
3. 12:30 p.m. — Try Chuseok Food in Insadong
After the palace, head toward Insadong for lunch. You can take a short taxi or use public transportation. If the weather is pleasant, walking through the Gwanghwamun and Anguk areas is also enjoyable.
Chuseok meals vary by family and region, so there is no single menu that represents every Korean household. However, the following dishes are good introductions to Korean holiday food.
Songpyeon (송편)
Songpyeon is a small rice cake filled with ingredients such as sesame, beans, chestnuts, or sweetened paste. It is chewy on the outside and usually mildly sweet inside. It is not normally spicy.
- Eat it in one or two small bites.
- Pair it with hot Korean tea.
- Ask about sesame, peanuts, or tree nuts if you have allergies.
- Some fillings contain honey, so they may not be suitable for strict vegans.
- Rice cakes are very sticky, so children and people with swallowing difficulties should take small bites.
Jeon (전)
Jeon refers to ingredients coated in flour and egg and pan-fried in oil. Common versions contain vegetables, fish, seafood, or meat. The edges can be lightly crisp, while the center is usually soft and savory.
Most jeon is not spicy, but kimchi or chili may be used in some varieties. Wheat, egg, shellfish, squid, meat, and cooking oil are common allergy or dietary concerns.
Japchae (잡채)
Japchae is made with springy glass noodles, vegetables, mushrooms, and often beef. Soy sauce and sesame oil give it a sweet, salty, and nutty flavor. It is normally mild rather than spicy.
Do not assume that japchae is vegetarian simply because it contains plenty of vegetables. Beef or meat-based seasoning may be included.
Galbijjim and Bulgogi
Galbijjim (갈비찜) is braised short rib cooked until tender in a rich soy-based sauce. The standard version is sweet and savory, but some restaurants also serve a much hotter spicy version.
Bulgogi (불고기) is thinly sliced meat marinated with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sometimes fruit. Eat it with rice or wrap it in lettuce with a small amount of sauce.
Useful Ordering Phrases
- Is this spicy? — Igeo maewoyo? (이거 매워요?)
- Does this contain meat? — Gogi deureogayo? (고기 들어가요?)
- Does this contain peanuts or sesame? — Ttangkong-ina kkae deureogayo? (땅콩이나 깨 들어가요?)
- Please leave out meat and fish sauce. — Gogiwa aekjeoteul ppae juseyo. (고기와 액젓을 빼 주세요.)
If you have dietary restrictions, naming the exact ingredients you cannot eat is safer than saying only “vegetarian.” Anchovy broth, fish sauce, shrimp paste, and meat stock may be present even when they are not visible.
Korean restaurants often serve several shared side dishes called banchan. Some can be refilled at no extra charge, but this does not mean that every dish comes with unlimited refills. Use serving tongs or a clean pair of chopsticks for shared food when possible.
4. 3:30 p.m. — Enjoy Traditional Crafts and Folk Games
Spend some time browsing Insadong before continuing to Namsangol Hanok Village. Insadong is a convenient place to look for traditional paper crafts, patterned souvenirs, folk paintings, seals, and Korean snacks.
Stop at a traditional teahouse and try yuja tea, jujube tea, or omija tea with yakgwa (약과). Yakgwa is a sweet pastry usually made with wheat flour, oil, and syrup or honey. Its rich, chewy texture pairs well with a less-sweet tea or coffee.
Yakgwa often contains wheat and honey. Anyone avoiding gluten or following a strict vegan diet should check the ingredients.
Namsangol Hanok Village often presents seasonal performances, craft activities, and folk games during major Korean holidays. Programs change from year to year, and some activities may require payment or end early when materials run out.
Beginner-Friendly Folk Games
- Yutnori: A team board game played by throwing four wooden sticks.
- Jegichagi: A game in which players keep a small feathered object in the air by kicking it.
- Tuho: A throwing game that involves aiming arrow-shaped sticks into a narrow jar.
- Gonggi: A hand game played by tossing and collecting small stones or plastic pieces.
Traditional performances and Chuseok customs differ by region. A single dance, game, or ceremony should not be treated as something that every Korean family practices.
5. 6:30 p.m. — Dinner at Gwangjang Market
Finish your Chuseok day at Gwangjang Market. From Namsangol Hanok Village, you can travel through the Chungmuro or Euljiro area.
Holiday hours vary by vendor. Check again on the day of your visit and keep a regular Korean restaurant in Jongno or Euljiro as a backup.
What to Order
- Bindaetteok (빈대떡): A thick mung bean pancake with a crisp surface and moist center. Many versions contain pork.
- Mini gimbap (꼬마김밥): Small rice rolls that are usually mild. Sesame oil and sesame seeds are common.
- Tteokbokki (떡볶이): Chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy red sauce. Fish cakes and seafood-based stock may be included.
- Yukhoe (육회): Seasoned raw beef. Pregnant travelers, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid it.
- Kalguksu (칼국수): Knife-cut noodles served in hot broth. Anchovies or seafood may be used in the stock.
Sharing one dish among two or three people makes it easier to sample food from several stalls. However, small market restaurants have limited seats. Avoid occupying a table for a long time after placing only a very small order.
After dinner, take a short walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream. If the sky is clear, you may be able to see the Chuseok moon between Seoul’s buildings, although visibility always depends on the weather and the moon’s position.
Conclusion
Experiencing Chuseok is about more than eating songpyeon or taking photographs in hanbok. The holiday is closely connected with family, shared food, seasonal gratitude, and remembering previous generations.
By connecting Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, Namsangol Hanok Village, and Gwangjang Market, international visitors can experience food, architecture, traditional culture, and everyday Seoul in one manageable day.
Chuseok operating hours are less predictable than normal schedules. Check official notices and current map listings one day before your trip, and prepare at least one backup restaurant in case market vendors are closed.
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