What to Know About Chuseok Food — 13 Dishes from a Real Korean Home

🍽️ A Feast Straight from My Mom’s Kitchen


Authentic Chuseok Food in Korea — collage of real homemade Korean holiday dishes
Traditional homemade dishes enjoyed during Chuseok in KoreaπŸ˜‹

좔석(Chuseok – Korean harvest festival) is when families gather around the dining table. These days, many keep it simple or buy ready-made food. But thanks to my devoted momπŸ’— and her amazing Korean cooking skills, our table always overflows — and yes, I gain a few pounds every holiday πŸ˜…γ…Žγ…Ž.

In this post, you’ll see:

  • Classic Chuseok mains like galbi, braised ribs, and heaps of jeon
  • Light veggie & kimchi dishes that balance out the rich feast
  • Seafood specials you might spot on Korean holiday tables
  • Traditional desserts & drinks like songpyeon and sikhye

So, what exactly ends up on our Chuseok table? Let’s take a closer look at some of the dishes we enjoyed this year. ^^ Here’s a look at 13 dishes you’ll find on a real Korean family table during Chuseok in Korea.



πŸ’œ Savory Pancakes & Main Dishes (μ „ & 메인 μš”λ¦¬)

We’ll start with the stars of most Korean holiday tables: crispy jeon and rich main dishes that everyone reaches for first.


1. μ „ (Jeon – Korean-style savory pancakes)

Assorted jeon μ „ skewers with beef, ham, crab sticks, peppers, and mushrooms
Assorted jeon, golden and crispy.⭐

On our Chuseok table, μ „ isn’t just one kind. We have κΌ¬μΉ˜μ „ (skewered jeon) stacked with ν•œμš° (Korean beef), ν–„ (ham), 맛살 (crab stick), κ½ˆλ¦¬κ³ μΆ” (shishito peppers), 파 (green onions), and λŠνƒ€λ¦¬λ²„μ„― (oyster mushrooms). There’s also λ™νƒœμ „ (fried pollock), colorful 야채전 (vegetable fritters), and μœ‘μ „ (yukjeon – pan-fried beef slices). Golden, crispy, and absolutely addictive.πŸ˜‹


2. μž‘μ±„ (Japchae – glass noodles with veggies)

Japchae μž‘μ±„ sweet potato glass noodles with peppers, mushrooms, onions, and carrots
Colorful glass noodles with veggies.🌈

Our version is fully veggie — no meat needed! It’s made with 피망 (bell peppers), λŠνƒ€λ¦¬λ²„μ„― (oyster mushrooms), λͺ©μ΄λ²„μ„― (wood ear mushrooms), μ–‘νŒŒ (onion), λΆ€μΆ” (chives), and λ‹Ήκ·Ό (carrots). Sweet potato noodles tie it all together with sesame oil and soy sauce. Colorful, glossy, and light enough to balance the feast.🌟


3. λΌμ§€κ°ˆλΉ„μ°œ (Braised pork ribs)

Braised pork ribs (λΌμ§€κ°ˆλΉ„μ°œ) simmered in soy sauce — tender, flavorful Korean Chuseok dish from a real home kitchen.
Juicy braised pork ribs for Chuseok.πŸ–

Slow-cooked to perfection in a sweet soy-based sauce, braised pork ribs are one of the most loved Chuseok dishes. The tender meat easily falls off the bone, soaked with deep, savory flavors from soy sauce, garlic, and a hint of sweetness. Each bite melts in your mouth — comforting, rich, and full of mom’s love.πŸ’—


4. LAκ°ˆλΉ„ (Grilled LA-style short ribs)

Grilled LA galbi short ribs on a Chuseok table
Sweet and smoky grilled short ribs.πŸ˜‹

Marinated beef short ribs, grilled until smoky and slightly charred. Sweet, salty, and finger-licking good — nobody stops at just one piece.πŸ₯’



πŸ’œ Vegetables & Kimchi (λ‚˜λ¬Ό & κΉ€μΉ˜)

After the rich mains, Koreans always turn to veggies and kimchi to refresh the palate and keep the meal feeling balanced.


5. 각쒅 λ‚˜λ¬Ό (Assorted seasoned vegetables)

Namul λ‚˜λ¬Ό side dishes with bean sprouts, spinach, and bracken fern
Lightly seasoned veggies for balance.^^

We had Kongnamul Muchim (μ½©λ‚˜λ¬Ό 무침 – Bean Sprout Namul), Sigeumchi Namul (μ‹œκΈˆμΉ˜ λ‚˜λ¬Ό – Spinach Namul), and Gosari Namul (고사리 λ‚˜λ¬Ό – Seasoned Bracken Fern), plus other greens. Lightly seasoned with sesame oil and garlic, these namul side dishes add an earthy balance to all the rich meat on the Chuseok table.πŸ₯¬

πŸ’› Travel Tip: If you visit Korea around Chuseok, you can try similar jeon and namul at traditional markets or some Hansik (Korean set menu) restaurants. They often serve small holiday-style side dishes. :)

6. λ°°μΆ”κ²‰μ ˆμ΄ (Fresh napa cabbage kimchi)

Fresh napa cabbage kimchi λ°°μΆ”κ²‰μ ˆμ΄ with chili, garlic, fish sauce, and chives
Fresh kimchi with a spicy crunch.πŸ’–

Unlike aged kimchi, this is made fresh with λ°°μΆ” (napa cabbage), 고좧가루 (red chili flakes), μ•‘μ “ (fish sauce), 마늘 (garlic), λΆ€μΆ” (chives), and topped with 톡깨 (sesame seeds). Crunchy, spicy, and perfectly refreshing.πŸ₯¬


7. μͺ½νŒŒκΉ€μΉ˜ (Jjokpa Kimchi – Green Onion Kimchi)

Jjokpa kimchi μͺ½νŒŒκΉ€μΉ˜ – Korean green onion kimchi seasoned with chili and spices for Chuseok
Spicy green onion kimchi with bold flavor.πŸ₯¬

Jjokpa Kimchi (μͺ½νŒŒκΉ€μΉ˜) is the perfect side dish made with fresh green onions. It combines the crisp texture and slightly sharp taste of μͺ½νŒŒ (green onions) with a rich blend of Korean seasonings. The result is a bold, aromatic kimchi that pairs beautifully with rice or grilled meats, making it a beloved addition to many Chuseok tables.😊


8. μ–‘λ°°μΆ” λ¬ΌκΉ€μΉ˜ (Yangbaechu Mulkimchi – Cabbage Water Kimchi)

Yangbaechu mulkimchi μ–‘λ°°μΆ” λ¬ΌκΉ€μΉ˜ – Korean cabbage water kimchi with a refreshing broth for Chuseok
Crisp cabbage in a light, refreshing broth.^^

μ–‘λ°°μΆ” λ¬ΌκΉ€μΉ˜ is a refreshing type of water kimchi made with fresh cabbage. With just a few simple ingredients, it delivers a crisp bite and a cool, tangy broth that cleanses the palate. This light side dish is a perfect contrast to the heavier meats and jeon on the Chuseok table.πŸ₯£



πŸ’œ Seafood Specials (ν•΄μ‚°λ¬Ό 별미)

Once the table is full of veggies and kimchi, it’s time for a few special seafood dishes that make the holiday feel extra festive.


9. κ°€μžλ―ΈνšŒλ¬΄μΉ¨ (Gajami Hoe Muchim – Seasoned Raw Flounder Salad)

Gajami hoe muchim κ°€μžλ―ΈνšŒλ¬΄μΉ¨ – seasoned raw flounder salad with vegetables and spicy sauce for Chuseok
Tangy raw flounder salad mixed with veggies and spicy-sweet sauce.πŸ˜‹

κ°€μžλ―ΈνšŒλ¬΄μΉ¨ is a refreshing seafood dish made by slicing fresh flounder thinly and mixing it with vegetables like λ―Έλ‚˜λ¦¬ (water dropwort) and μ–‘νŒŒ (onion). It’s then seasoned with μ΄ˆκ³ μΆ”μž₯ (spicy-sweet red chili paste), 참기름 (sesame oil), and topped with 톡깨 (sesame seeds). The result is a tangy, slightly sweet, and savory salad that perfectly balances the richness of the Chuseok feast.πŸ₯—


10. μ–‘λ…κ²Œμž₯ (Soy-marinated spicy crab)

Korean spicy marinated crab μ–‘λ…κ²Œμž₯ with sesame seeds and rice
Spicy crab, the ultimate rice thief.🍚

The legendary “λ°₯도둑” (rice thief). Crabs marinated in a spicy soy-based sauce that makes you eat endless bowls of rice. Messy, finger-licking, and unforgettable.πŸ‘



πŸ’œ Soups (κ΅­/탕)

And when you’ve had your fill of side dishes, it’s time to wrap things up with a steaming bowl of soup.


11. 윑개μž₯ (Spicy beef soup)

Spicy beef soup 윑개μž₯ with beef, bean sprouts, and green onions
Hearty spicy beef soup, a holiday classic.πŸ’—

In our family, sometimes we eat μ†Œκ³ κΈ°λ­‡κ΅­ (beef radish soup) for Chuseok, but this year, μ–Όν°ν•œ 윑개μž₯ (spicy beef soup) was the winner! Made with ν•œμš° (Korean beef), 고사리 (bracken), μˆ™μ£Ό (mung bean sprouts), and 파 (green onions), it’s hearty, spicy, and soul-warming — the kind of dish that clears your head after too many jeon.🍲



πŸ’œ Desserts & Sweets (λ””μ €νŠΈ & 간식)

And of course, no holiday feast ends without something a little sweet. :)


12. μ†‘νŽΈ (Songpyeon – half-moon rice cakes)

Songpyeon μ†‘νŽΈ half-moon rice cakes steamed with pine needles
Half-moon rice cakes with pine fragrance.πŸŒ™

Steamed with μ†”μžŽ (pine needles) for a subtle fragrance, and filled with sesame seeds, chestnuts, or red bean paste. Making μ†‘νŽΈ together is a family tradition, but mine never turn out as pretty as my mom’s.πŸ˜…


13. μ‹ν˜œ (Sikhye – sweet rice punch)

Sikhye μ‹ν˜œ sweet rice punch served for Chuseok dessert
Sweet rice punch for a perfect holiday dessert.πŸ§‰

A sweet, lightly tangy drink made from 엿기름 (malt) and λ°₯μ•Œ (rice grains). After a μ§„μˆ˜μ„±μ°¬ (feast) like Chuseok, finishing with μ‹ν˜œ and a couple of μ†‘νŽΈ is honestly the most dangerous combo — 살이 μ°” μˆ˜λ°–μ— μ—†λŠ” μ‘°ν•© (no way to avoid gaining weight).πŸ˜†



πŸ’œ Chuseok Food FAQ

If you’re new to Korean holidays or curious about traditional Chuseok dishes, here are some of the most common questions readers ask. ^^

Q1. Is all Chuseok food homemade?
A: Many families still cook at home, but these days lots of people buy ready-made jeon, japchae, and songpyeon because preparing everything takes a lot of time. Both homemade and store-bought tables are completely normal. :)


Q2. Do all Korean families eat the same dishes for Chuseok?
A: Not exactly! Some items like jeon, japchae, namul, and fruits are very common, but each region and each family has their own favorite dishes and traditions.


Q3. Why do Koreans eat songpyeon?
A: Songpyeon symbolizes gratitude and good wishes. The half-moon shape represents growth and new beginnings — making it the perfect Chuseok dessert. πŸŒ™


Q4. Is Chuseok food spicy?
A: Some dishes like kimchi or yukgaejang have mild heat, but most Chuseok dishes are savory, sweet, or soy-based. Nothing overwhelmingly spicy unless your family prefers it.πŸ”₯γ…Žγ…Ž


Q5. What’s the difference between Chuseok food and Lunar New Year food?
A: Many dishes overlap, but each holiday has one signature dish: songpyeon is enjoyed only during Chuseok, while tteokguk (rice cake soup) is eaten only during Lunar New Year.


Q6. Can travelers try Chuseok food in Korea?
A: Yes! You don’t have to visit during the actual holiday to try Chuseok-style dishes. Travelers can find jeon, japchae, namul, and even gift-set songpyeon at traditional markets (like Gwangjang Market or Namdaemun Market), major supermarkets (E-mart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus), and department store food halls. These places sell fresh holiday dishes especially from September to October, so you can experience a real Korean holiday table anytime. :)


Q7. What is the most essential Chuseok dish?
A: Many people say jeon or songpyeon, but it honestly varies. Every family has their own “must-have” items based on tradition and taste. πŸ’›



πŸ’œ Final Thoughts: The Taste of Family and Tradition

When you put all of these dishes together, you don’t just get a big meal — you get a whole story of family, effort, and tradition.


πŸ’› Quick Overview – What’s on a Typical Chuseok Table?
Mains: Jeon, braised pork ribs, LA galbi
Veg & Kimchi: Namul, fresh kimchi, green onion kimchi, water kimchi
Seafood: Flounder salad, spicy marinated crab
Soups: Yukgaejang or beef soup
Dessert: Songpyeon and sikhye ^^

Chuseok food isn’t just about the dishes — it’s about love, effort, and family memories. Whether you prepare a full homemade spread like my μ—„λ§ˆ or simply enjoy store-bought μ†‘νŽΈ and μž‘μ±„, the meaning is the same: gathering together. Even if you only get to try a few of these dishes at a restaurant or market, you’ll still get a little glimpse of how Koreans celebrate together at home. ^^ If you’re ever in Korea during Chuseok, try some of these dishes — they’ll give you a true taste of what family celebrations feel like here.^^

λ‘₯κ·Ό λ³΄λ¦„λ‹¬μ²˜λŸΌ λ„‰λ„‰ν•˜κ³  ν’μš”λ‘œμš΄ ν•œκ°€μœ„ λ˜μ„Έμš”.πŸ’•


If you’re curious about what Koreans say to each other during the holiday, you can also check out my post on Chuseok greetings in Korean. ^^

With love,
ν•œκΈ€λ¦¬μ•„πŸ˜Š



πŸŒ• More Chuseok Stories

If you enjoyed this post, here are more Chuseok guides and tips you might like ^^

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