2026 Yanggu Gomchwi Festival: Taste Healthy Korean Spring Herbs & Enjoy Free K-Trot Concerts
Looking for the ultimate spring getaway in Korea? 🌸 Join the 2026 Yanggu Gomchwi Festival to enjoy healthy royal wild herbs, mouth-watering pork belly wraps, and exciting FREE K-Trot concerts! 🥩🎤✨
※ Please check the official website for the most accurate information.The '2026 Youth Yanggu Gomchwi Festival', where you can taste and enjoy premium Gomchwi (a healthy and fragrant Korean wild herb known as the king of spring greens), is opening spectacularly.
Celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year, the festival will run for four days starting Saturday, May 2, and features free concerts by top-tier K-Trot singers like Jang Yoon-jeong.
View Concert Lineup & Schedule
💡 Book amazing pensions on Agoda! Earn extra rewards for your stay in Yanggu.
Compare the lowest prices for accommodations near Yanggu on Agoda or Booking.com and comfortably watch the concerts that last late into the night.📊 Yanggu Gomchwi Festival at a Glance
A fantastic combination of slightly bitter Gomchwi with pork belly and exciting K-Trot performances!
During the Children's Day holiday weekend, a variety of eco-friendly experiential programs for families will be richly operated.
Dates: Saturday, May 2, 2026 ~ Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Location: Seocheon Leports Park area in Yanggu, Gangwon-do
Admission: Completely free (Separate fees apply for some experiences)
Take home bags full of freshly harvested Gomchwi sold cheaply at the festival market!
Key Festival Information
2026.05.02 ~ 2026.05.05
A good, eco-friendly festival that reduces single-use plastics.
Famous K-Trot singers like Jang Yoon-jeong and Na Sang-do are confirmed to appear!
1. Top 3 Highlights of the Spring Festival
Premium Royal Gomchwi
This is the perfect place to truly taste the value of Yanggu's specialty, Gomchwi, grown in clean nature with a deep aroma and tender texture.
Eco-Friendly Festival
The festival leads a sustainable culture by replacing all tableware in the food court with reusable containers to reduce environmental pollution.
Check Eco Tumbler Event Perks
💡 Book your Glamping on Klook! Get free BBQ charcoal when booking in advance.
Reserve a camping site on Klook or Trazy where you can grill meat with Gomchwi and spend a sentimental evening.2. Main Stage and Market Locations
Seocheon Leports Park Stage
This is the main stage where the opening ceremony and large-scale congratulatory performances take place. It fills with enthusiastic cheers late in the evening.
Gomchwi Sales Market
At the booths lined up near the park entrance, you can directly purchase fresh herbs harvested that morning at lower prices than the market.
3. How to Get There & Visit Tips
Step 1: Check the Concert Schedule
Carefully check the exact dates and times when your favorite singers will perform on the official website in advance.
Step 2: Learn Shuttle Bus Info (How to get there)
To travel from Seoul to Yanggu, taking an intercity express bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal is the most convenient way. By understanding the free shuttle bus routes circulating from Yanggu Bus Terminal to the festival venue, you can avoid a frustrating parking war.
Step 3: Secure a Food Court Seat
The lines for the Korean BBQ (grilled pork belly) booths get very long during lunch hours, so it's best to grab a table early around 11:30 AM.
Step 4: Wait in Front of the Stage
To see concerts by popular singers up close, you must lay down your picnic mat on the lawn in front of the stage at least 2 hours before the main performance begins.
View Free Downtown Shuttle Bus Routes
💡 Book your bus packages on Trip.com for massive discounts!
Compare intercity bus tickets to Yanggu on Trip.com or Klook and travel comfortably directly to the festival.4. Top 3 Local Foods to Try at the Festival
Gomchwi Wrap with Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal)
Placing a piece of perfectly roasted pork belly on a fragrant spring herb wrap will perfectly revive your appetite for the season.
Gomchwi Jeon (Pancake) and Makgeolli
Pairing a crispy, savory Gomchwi pancake with Gangwon-do's specialty corn Makgeolli (rice wine) is the best snack combination.
Gomchwi Ice Cream
Developed to capture children's tastes by neutralizing the unique bitterness and adding sweetness, this unique dessert is highly popular.
5. How to Choose and Store Gomchwi
We summarized tips for picking high-quality herbs at the festival so you can maintain their aroma and enjoy them deliciously at home for a long time.
| Category | How to Choose Good Gomchwi | Storage and Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Condition | Leaves that are tender and dark green | Wrap in newspaper and store in the fridge vegetable crisper |
| Stem Length | Stems that are plump with a slight reddish tint | Cut off the hard bottom of the stem before eating |
| Aroma | A deep, characteristic fragrance lingering on the nose | Use raw as a wrap or make pickled herbs (Jangajji) |
| Size | A suitable size, slightly smaller than a palm | Blanch slightly and use as a seasoned side dish |
| Packaging | Maintained moist without drying out | For long-term storage, blanch in boiling water and freeze |
6. 5 Essential Festival Tips
Bring Your Own Tumbler
Join the eco-friendly festival initiative by bringing a tumbler to receive discounts at beverage booths.
Arrive at 10 AM
The most tender and fresh premium herbs sell out quickly in the morning when merchants open their boxes, so visit early.
Prepare a Windbreaker
While the sun is strong during the day, Gangwon-do's signature piercing winds make the evening concert times very chilly, so outerwear is essential.
Return Reusable Containers Strictly
After eating at the food court, you must return the provided plastic reusable tableware to designated collection areas.
Reserve Children's Day Experiences
On Children's Day, May 5, family visitors will flood in, causing materials for experience booths like cookie making to run out early.
Book Kids' Experience Programs in Advance
💡 Book accommodations on Agoda and enjoy night performances to the end!
Compare the lowest prices for accommodations in downtown Yanggu on Agoda or Booking.com and fully enjoy the drinks without worrying about designated drivers.7. Nearby Attraction: Hanbando Island Healing Course
After filling your stomach, take a stroll around Hanbando Island, a famous spot on Lake Paro in Yanggu, and take in the beautiful nature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Do I need to buy tickets in advance to watch the concert?
A. No. All stage performances at the festival are open-air concerts that anyone can watch for free.
Q2. Can I ship Gomchwi directly to my home by courier?
A. Yes, each sales booth operates an on-site courier service desk, allowing same-day shipping of the fresh herbs anywhere in the country.
Q3. Can I bring my pets into the festival grounds?
A. Since Leports Park is an open outdoor space, you can freely walk with your pets provided they are leashed and you carry waste bags.
Q4. Is there a space to set up personal tents or sunshades?
A. Setting up small sunshades is partially allowed only in the outer lawn areas that do not obstruct pedestrian traffic within the venue.
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