Discover the Health Benefits of Spring Wild Greens at Hongcheon Wild Vegetable Festival 2026

Translation result [Herald Economy = Reporter Ham Young-hoon] The Korean Local Culture Encyclopedia, a comprehensive reference on agricultural products and regional culture, calls mountain vegetables a pesticide-free food rich in minerals, vitamins and fiber. Some varieties even contain bioactive compounds that make them especially valuable as health foods.

In spring, these mountain greens are especially nutrient-dense. They’re packed with potassium, calcium and vitamin C, plus antioxidants that may support healthy blood pressure and circulation, strengthen immunity and help fight fatigue. No wonder they’re being rediscovered as a uniquely Korean superfood and gaining renewed popularity.

The 8th Hongcheon Mountain Vegetable Festival — fragrant with spring flavors and forest air — opened on the 1st on a special stage at the Tori Forest event site in the Urban Forest Park.

This year’s festival emphasizes the local-first approach: enjoying mountain vegetables grown in the region and sold right back to the community.

Hongcheon County says the event showcases mountain greens and wild ginseng grown in the area’s exceptionally clean environment — even described as having “oxygen paths.” The goal is to broaden sales channels for local farmers and foresters and to energize the regional economy through a festival that invites both residents and travelers to take part.

Twenty-nine groups from the Hongcheon Wild Vegetable Research Association, 10 groups from the Hongcheon Wild Ginseng Association, and three booths from the Korea Professional Foresters Association’s Hongcheon chapter are on-site, presenting Hongcheon’s pristine mountain produce and forest products.

Festival grounds feature sales booths for mountain vegetables and wild ginseng, stalls with local agricultural specialties, regional eateries, a self-serve cafeteria and outdoor food vendors. Families can try hands-on activities such as seedling planting, guided foraging, a mountain-vegetable art picnic and a ball-pool play area.

Onstage programs run through May 3 and include performances by local clubs, mountain-vegetable-themed events, the Hongcheon Rock Dance Festival and a surprise “Thumbs Up” guerrilla concert.

From May 1–2, the Palbong Mountain Dangsan rite will take place alongside the festival. Hongcheon County is running a shuttle between Tori Forest, Hongcheon Terminal and Palbong Mountain so visitors can easily enjoy both the mountain-vegetable festival and the traditional Dangsan ceremony.

That means visitors can spend a morning sampling fresh mountain greens and tasting local foods at Tori Forest, then head to Palbong Mountain to experience a unique slice of regional tradition.

A representative from the Hongcheon Cultural Foundation said, “This year’s mountain-vegetable festival truly captures Hongcheon’s clean spring — from the opening ceremony to sales, activities and performances. Linked with the Palbong Dangsan rite, we expect visitors will have a meaningful time enjoying Hongcheon’s food and traditional culture.”