The 19th Mapo Naru Saeujeot Festival, Seoul’s salted-shrimp fair, runs October 16–18 at Pyeonghwa Plaza in World Cup Park. Mapo-gu says saeujeot will sell for 10–15% below market prices. The program includes a magistrate’s procession, a re-enacted sailboat arrival, a 19-metre shrimp gimbap and closing fireworks.
Opening-day procession
The festival opens at 10:30 a.m. on October 16, when the Sato (magistrate) procession sets out from the Mapo-gu Office plaza for Pyeonghwa Plaza. A re-enactment recreates the yellow-sailed boats that once carried salted shrimp into Mapo Naru.
About 20 foreign participants join residents to make kimchi, and Jung Dong-ha, the Hong Kyung-min Band, Ali and Maya perform.
Shrimp sales and activities
Sales booths rise from 8 last year to 12, selling yukjeot, ojeot and chujeot (shrimp salted in different seasons) from Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Sinan, Buan and Sokcho. Mapo-gu said prices are set 10–15% below market. Shrimp catching, saeujeot making and a saeujeot auction run throughout the festival.
On October 17, 38 children help roll a 19 m shrimp gimbap to mark the 19th edition. The food market adds a shrimp booth serving shrimp pasta and shrimp fried rice, and sister cities and local co-ops run 14 specialty booths.
Bossam feast and fireworks
October 18 brings a bossam feast for about 200 people and a closing stage, ending with fireworks and a laser show. The Seoul Silver Grass Festival runs at the same time in nearby Haneul Park.
Reports did not give admission fees, opening hours or public transport details; Mapo-gu posts notices. Leaflets with an English-guide QR code will be handed out, and English leaflets will be placed at local tourist information centres. There is no separate foreign-language program this year; interpretation is under consideration from next year’s 20th festival.
