chungju city

Local delicacies refer to foods that have long been developed and eaten in a particular region by the local residents. Since they bear the unique local characteristics and the local historical tradition, they are often mentioned in the local culture. Based on long tradition and knowhow, local products are differently stored depending on the historical experience and climate. Local food culture develops under the principle of ‘Sintoburi,’ which literally means that the human body and the earth are not separate.

As Korea’s only inland region that is not bordered by an ocean, Chungcheongbuk-do produces various crops and wild vegetables in the mountains in the north, the fields in the central region, and the middle mountain area in the south. With the abundant indigenous animals and freshwater fish, local delicacies have been developed. In fact, most local dishes are neither spicy nor salty without Jeotgal (salted seafood). They are cooked as naturally as possible. Even though many people in the area have become familiar with western foods as their living standards improved, traditional Korean food is still popular as a local delicacy.

As foreign food culture becomes more important due to the development of and education on external civilization, Chungju food tourism shall be fostered by preserving the traditional culture, harmonizing tradition with foreign food cultures, and developing local foods to promote the local economy.