Three days of Namdo food in Naju, Oct. 23–25

Food from 27 localities

According to the official introduction, the festival features displays from 27 cities, counties and districts, food stalls, cooking competitions and hands-on activities, showing how ingredients and methods differ even between neighbouring places.

The official schedule groups parts of “Flavors of Namdo” under geographical themes such as forests and mountain ranges, and the islands and southwestern coast.

Temple cuisine and chefs

The special dining program features Ahn Yu-seong and French MCF chefs on October 23, followed by Buddhist nun Jeong Kwan’s temple cuisine and chef Cheon Sang-hyeon on October 24. Temple cuisine refers to the food culture of Buddhist monasteries.

The official description gives Muan-onion jjajang, noodles in black-bean sauce, and Yeongam-fig tangsuyuk, a sweet-and-sour dish, as examples for Cheon’s program. These are announced menu examples, and the actual selection may change.

Classes by culinary masters

The current schedule includes cooking classes by Namdo culinary masters including Kim Bong-hwa and Im Hwa-ja. Jeonnam’s 2016 appointment announcement identifies Kim as a master of fermented foods in Jangseong and Im as a master of traditional rice cakes in Hampyeong.

The festival’s profiles list each cook’s region and career. Their specialties are background information, not the confirmed menus for this year’s classes.

Naju gomtang

The archival photograph shows gomtang, rice and meat in a clear broth, in Naju in 2015. It represents the host city’s food culture, not a dish or portion served at this year’s festival.

Paid sessions and enquiries

The official Ticketlink notice lists ten paid sessions across October 23–25 at KRW 10,000 each, open to all ages. The price is not a general festival admission fee. Content and times for the special dining show, masters’ table and “Flavors of Namdo” sessions are on the official booking page.

The venue is Yeongsangang Garden, 757-1 Yeongsan-dong, Naju. Festival enquiries: +82-70-7703-1238; the ticket notice lists +82-10-7286-4700. Booking with an overseas phone number, foreign-card payment and on-site English or Japanese assistance have not been verified.