Gwangju Launches ‘Gemi-rich’ Kimchi Culinary Tours with Master Kimchi Makers
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Gwangju City and the Gwangju Tourism Organization have launched a limited-time culinary tourism product called “Gemi-rich Gwangju Culinary Journey,” focusing on Gwangju kimchi and running through early 2026. “Gemi” (a Jeolla dialect term meaning the deep, subtle umami of fermented foods) is the tour’s central theme. The program blends hands-on kimchi-making classes—led by celebrated masters like O Suk-ja (Korean Food Artisan No.76) and Park Ki-sun (Presidential contest winner)—with cultural and arts tours, traditional market visits, and slow-healing nature experiences. Highlights include a class on making “banji” kimchi (a style between mul-kimchi and baechu kimchi), a theatrical walking tour in Yangnim-dong about 19th-century missionaries, tasting a missionary-style bibimbap, and visits to Gwangju Kimchi Town and the Kimchi Museum. Day trips and 1-night packages are offered; all participants receive 3 kg of Gwangju-style kimchi and can take home the kimchi they make. Prices start in the 100,000 won range. Reservations are available via tour operators Hongik Travel and Romance Tour.
