NovemberEarly November, 4 daysJung-gu and Myeongdong
The Seoul Kimchi Making and Sharing Festival is the largest annual kimchi event in the world, held at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall each November. Tens of thousands of cabbages are turned into kimchi over four days, with public participation workshops where visitors join professional kimchimakers to learn the salting, seasoning, and packing process. The kimchi produced is donated to low-income households across the city. Cultural performances, traditional food vendors, and kimchi tasting stations run throughout. Attendance regularly exceeds 100,000 visitors.
Focus: Kimchi, Korean fermentation
OctoberLate October, 7 daysTicket neededItaewon and Hannam
Taste of Seoul is the city's annual restaurant showcase festival, typically held at Nodeul Island on the Han River in late October. Seoul's leading restaurants -- Michelin-listed, Bib Gourmand, and independent -- operate pop-up counters serving signature dishes at accessible prices. The 2025 edition ran October 27 through November 2 and drew record attendance. Tasting tokens are purchased in advance online; most dishes cost one to three tokens. Live cooking demonstrations by chefs including appearances from the Michelin three-star circuit run during the daytime programme.
Focus: Korean cuisine, Seoul restaurant showcase
AprilMid April, 4 daysTicket neededGangnam and Cheongdam
The Seoul Coffee Festival is Korea's largest specialty coffee trade and consumer event, held annually at COEX in Gangnam. Roasters from across Korea and Asia present single-origin coffees, with public tasting sessions, roasting demonstrations, and barista competitions running throughout the four days. The Korea Cup Tasters Championship and Korea Latte Art Championship are held as part of the programme. Consumer ticket prices are around ₩15,000; trade days run the first two days with separate registration. The event reflects Seoul's status as one of Asia's leading specialty coffee cities.
Focus: Specialty coffee, roasting, brewing