Joseon Dynasty court cuisine: royal table and seasonal holiday foods explained

Joseon Dynasty court cuisine: royal table and seasonal holiday foods explained

What cuisine did the royal court and aristocrats of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) eat during holidays? The answer lies at Unhyeongung Palace in Seoul's Jongno-gu District, a designated historical site and the former residence of Heungseon Daewongun (1821-98), a key political figure of the late Joseon era.

【Attraction Tickets】Seoul Wedding Photography Experience (Provided by S.A Wedding)

Available 2026-09-04

HKD 573 Start

Book now

The Institute of Traditional Korean Food (ITKF) annually hosts the traditional food event "King's Royal Table and Seasonal Cuisines" there, featuring tastings, explanations and recipes. The exhibition comprises two parts: the king's royal table and seasonal food of Joseon aristocratic families.

The table setting for Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) for the king replicates what is recorded about Queen Heongyeong in the Wonhaeng Eulmyo Jeongni Uigwe (Royal Protocol on King Jeongjo's Visit to His Father's Tomb in the Year of Eulmyo). Also known as Lady Hong, the queen (1735-1815) was the mother of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the dynasty's 22nd ruler.

【Attraction Tickets】2026.10.4-11 The 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival | Round-trip Shuttle Bus from Seoul

Available 2026-10-04

HKD 86 Start

Book now

The seasonal foods for Joseon nobles present representative dishes served during five major holidays: Seollal (Lunar New Year); Daeboreum, marking the first full moon of the lunar new year; Dano, the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar; Chuseok; and Dongji (winter solstice).

The interactive zone offers firsthand experience through the making of traditional foods such as yugwa (deep-fried rice puffs) and joraengi tteok (snowman-shaped rice cake) as well as makgeolli (milky rice wine) made with chrysanthemum petals.

Food sampling events include iconic holiday dishes such as yaksik (sweet rice with nuts and jujubes) for Daeboreum; songpyeon (half moon-shaped rice cake) and chrysanthemum tea for Chuseok; sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch with dried persimmon) and patjuk (red bean porridge) for Dongji; and jehotang (medicinal drink) and ssukjeolpyeon (mugwort rice cake) for Dano.

A separate corner provides consultations on the Joseon diet, suggesting ingredients and lifestyle habits suited for each person's constitution based on the traditional sasang (four body types) theory of medicine.

【Attraction Tickets】Seoul Yellow Balloon Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus (Traditional Culture Route)

Available 2026-09-03

HKD 83 Start

Book now