Mapo-gu to hold annual salted shrimp festival Oct. 16-18 at World Cup Park

Mapo-gu hosts event at World Cup Park's Peace Plaza

12 vendor booths to offer salted shrimp at 10-15% below market price

Events include kimchi-making with foreigners and a 19-meter shrimp kimbap roll

Seoul Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun, dressed as a Joseon-era magistrate, inspects salted shrimp at the 14th Maponaru Salted Shrimp Festival held in October 2021. [Mapo-gu]

Mapo-gu's signature autumn event, the Maponaru Salted Shrimp Festival, will run for three days from Oct. 16 to 18 at Peace Plaza in World Cup Park, offering visitors a chance to sample and purchase fresh, high-quality salted shrimp sourced from across the country.

Seoul Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun announced the festival Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. "We have prepared salted shrimp vendor booths and a wide range of programs for the three-day festival at World Cup Park," Yoo said. "Performances, hands-on experiences and exhibitions have all been arranged to complement one another."

The festival will deploy a safety staff of about 600 over the three days. It revives the historical significance of Maponaru — a riverside port where salted shrimp and goods from across the country converged during the Joseon era. It draws particularly strong interest from visitors looking to stock up on salted shrimp ahead of kimchi-making season. Mapo-gu said the event attracts around 500,000 visitors each year.

Seoul Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun speaks at a press briefing for the 19th Maponaru Salted Shrimp Festival. [Mapo-gu]

This year's festival is organized under the slogan "Come taste some salted shrimp — Mapo-gu has it ready!" and is billed as a cultural exchange platform connecting history and tradition with people and community.

On the opening morning of Oct. 16, a procession of about 200 participants — including District Mayor Yoo dressed as a Joseon magistrate, a traditional wind ensemble, a farmers' percussion troupe, peddlers in period costume and local residents — will march from Mapo-gu Office Plaza to Peace Plaza at World Cup Park. Upon arrival at the waterside stage, a traditional yellow-sailed boat carrying salted shrimp will make its entrance, followed by an opening ceremony.

The festival's centerpiece, the salted shrimp vendor section, will feature 12 booths this year — four more than last year. Visitors can compare varieties sourced from Ganggyeong, Gwangcheon, Sinan, Buan and Sorae, and choose among yukhjeot, ojeot and chujeot types to suit their taste and intended use. Prices are set 10 to 15 percent below market rates, and all products carry origin labeling so shoppers can buy with confidence.

Shrimp-themed programming has been expanded this year. On the opening day, an event titled "Kimchi-making with foreigners" will bring together about 20 international participants to make kimchi using salted shrimp; the finished kimchi will be donated to low-income households in the district.

On Oct. 17, culinary researcher Lee Hye-jeong — known by the nickname "Big Mama" — will lead a session rolling a 19-meter shrimp kimbap. On the final day, Oct. 18, the first roughly 200 visitors to arrive can enjoy a pork bossam feast paired with kimchi and salted shrimp.

Additional activities include children's bounce houses, a junior magistrate experience and a bubble show, alongside traditional folk performances, a pumbba street-entertainment show and hands-on traditional games.

Live performances are also on the schedule. The Oct. 16 opening ceremony concert will feature sets by Jeong Dong-ha, the Hong Gyeong-min Band, Ali and Maya. A special TBS open-air broadcast, "Autumn Concert: Rest," will follow on the waterside stage, with performances by Jeong Su-ra, Hyeon-suk, Mokbi, Hyeondang and Ilmin.

The Oct. 18 closing concert will feature Park Hyeon-bin, Hong Jin-young, Kim Yong-pil, Jeon Mi-gyeong, Park U-cheol and Seo Gabi. The festival will close with a fireworks display and laser show.

"The Maponaru Salted Shrimp Festival has grown into Mapo's defining event thanks to the steady support and enthusiasm of residents and visitors alike," Yoo said. "We have done our utmost to prepare top-quality salted shrimp, diverse food, and plenty to see and enjoy — and we hope many people will come and make the festival shine."

ikson@heraldcorp.com