Discover the 21st Yeongyang Wild Vegetable Festival: A Guide to Nature’s Delicacies

This month, North Gyeongsang’s Yeongyang County will put the spotlight on a bounty of wild mountain greens at the 21st Yeongyang Wild Greens Festival, celebrating produce grown in its pristine highlands.

A largely mountainous, unspoiled region centered around Ilwol Mountain, Yeongyang is home to a rich variety of naturally occurring wild greens.

This year’s festival highlights signature varieties—eoseuri, gaemichwi, gomchwi, gosari, miyeokchwi, and deodeok—alongside a lively lineup of food stalls and hands-on activities.

Long prized as “wangsam” or the “king of greens,” eoseuri offers a deep, inviting aroma and plenty of dietary fiber. Locals enjoy it in wraps, seasoned salads, and other preparations—it’s a classic spring green that really awakens the appetite.

Gaemichwi thrives in wet mountain hollows; its tender young shoots are harvested for use as a flavorful vegetable. Gosari, the bracken fern, is known for its soft texture and appears in a wide range of dishes.

Gomchwi’s bold scent makes it a favorite for wrap-style dishes, while miyeokchwi is commonly enjoyed as a springtime green. Deodeok, prized for its unique aroma and chewy texture, is used in grilled dishes, pickles, and other health-focused recipes.

The 21st Yeongyang Wild Greens Festival runs from the 7th through the 10th at the Yeongyang Cultural Center and throughout the town center.

A Yeongyang County official said, “The wild greens that grow in our pristine environment are richly aromatic and packed with nutrients, and they’ve become a defining local specialty. At this festival, we plan to offer visitors a range of culinary experiences that showcase Yeongyang’s distinctive flavors and textures.”

Yeongyang=Kim Jong-hyun, reporter gim1390@viva100.com