Korean Food &
Culture Retreat
Goodmate ORIGINALTravel the local way
Spend 6 days exploring Korean food beyond Seoul — from fermentation and gochujang-making to temple food and a historic port town.
Meet the people behind the traditions, cook and taste along the way, and travel through smaller cities and communities.
Trip Summary
Duration
6 Days, 5 Nights
Group Size
8-20 Guests
Minimum age
18 year old+
Meals
13 included
Travel Style
Food & Culture
Physical Rating
2 - Light
The story behind the Korean table
OVERVIEW
A Unique Itinerary
Spring 2027 · Coming soonThis trip takes you beyond restaurants and into the places where Korean food is made.
Visit farms, workshops, fermentation makers, temples, and local neighborhoods while learning how everyday Korean food is shaped by land, season, craft, and time.
Itinerary
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Korean food is more than individual dishes.
Over six days, we’ll explore where its flavors come from — visiting a local farm, learning about fermentation, making gochujang, experiencing temple food, and traveling through cities and towns outside Seoul.
Along the way, we’ll meet the people who continue these traditions today.
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Arrive in Seoul and settle in at your own pace.
In the evening, we meet for a welcome dinner hosted by a storytelling chef and get to know the group and the days ahead.
Meals included: Dinner
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We leave Seoul for Gongju. After a local lunch, we visit a craft studio to meet a local artisan and learn about Korean ceramics and tableware.
In the afternoon, we join a farmer for a hands-on lesson in traditional Korean pickling, then continue to Nonsan for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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In the morning, we join a hands-on fermentation class in Jangsu and learn how fermentation shapes everyday Korean food.
After lunch, we head to Sunchang, a region known for its traditional fermented sauces, and make our own gochujang.
We end the day in Gwangju.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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We start the day with Korean duck soup, one of Gwangju’s local specialties.
Then we travel to Gochang for an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple, with temple food and a cultural program.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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After a morning at the temple, we travel to the port city of Mokpo.
We have a local lunch, walk through the old downtown and its historic streets, and stop for coffee at an old general store turned café.
In the evening, we share dinner together.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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After a relaxed morning in Mokpo, we travel back to Seoul, where the trip ends.
Meals included: Breakfast
What’s Included
Activities
✔ Welcome Dinner with a Storytelling Chef
✔ Visit to a Local Craft Studio
✔ Korean Pickling Experience at a Local Farm
✔ Hands-on Fermentation Class
✔ Traditional Gochujang Making in Sunchang
✔ Traditional Duck Soup Breakfast in Gwangju
✔ Overnight Buddhist Temple Stay
✔ Temple Food and Cultural Program
✔ Mokpo Old Downtown Walk
✔ Café Stop in a Historic Mokpo Building
✔ And so much more… 😉
Accommodation
✔ 1 night hotel stay in Seoul
✔ 1 night hotel stay in Nonsan
✔ 1 night hotel stay in Gwangju
✔ 1 night temple stay in Gochang
✔ 1 night hotel stay in Mokpo
Meals & Transportation
✔ 5 Breakfast meals
✔ 3 Lunch meals
✔ 5 Dinner meals
✔ Private Bus
What's Not included
❌ International flights
❌ Meals not listed in the daily itinerary
❌ Activities that are not listed above in “What’s included”
❌ Individual orders at cafes, bars, or other informal gatherings
Why travel with us?
Goodmate Travel Crew
Your journey is led by a dedicated Goodmate host from start to finish, with local hosts joining along the way to open doors you wouldn’t find on your own. Every trip is designed around the group so it flows naturally and feels personal.
Trip Highlights
A few highlights from the trip.
What Our Travelers Say
“First time ever traveling solo with a group of people I had never met. What an amazing experience. We had so much fun together, saw so many beautiful places. Ate a lot of delicious food.”
Sanne B. · Goodmate Travel guest
“…a tucked away restaurant of authentic food, personal interactions with local cooks, with guides, showing us specific things with huge knowledge…”
Patsy G. · Seoul to Busan, Apr 2026 · Google
★★★★★ 5.0 from 900+ reviews on Google
More Reviews From Our Travelers
Trip dates & prices
2027 departures
| Starting | Ending | Duration | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | Dates coming soon | 6 days / 5 nights | From $2,900 | Waiting list |
F.A.Q
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Absolutely. Most of our travelers come on their own, and you’ll spend the trip with a small group of people who signed up for the same reasons you did.
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Our tours offer a Small Group Experience, typically with an average of 16 participants and a maximum of 24.
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During our trips, rooms are typically allocated on a twin-share basis. For solo travelers, we match them with another traveler of the same gender, as indicated by the gender marker on their application form. However, if you prefer your own private space, the option to reserve an individual room is also available on most of our trips. If you’re traveling with a friend or partner, you’re welcome to request to share a room together — just let us know in the notes section when booking.
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You have the option to make a one-time payment or take advantage of our deposit and final payment plan. To secure your reservation, a 20% deposit is required. The remaining 80% of the tour cost must be paid in full no later than 90 days before the tour’s start date.
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International flights are not included. Guests are asked to book their own flights and arrive at the designated meeting point in Seoul. We’ll share the exact meeting location along with clear instructions on how to get there from the airport.
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For cancellations made 60 days before the trip, you will receive a refund minus the non-refundable deposit, which is 10% of the total trip cost.
If you cancel between 15 and 59 days before the trip, we will refund 50% of the total trip cost.
For cancellations made 8 to 14 days before the trip, you will receive a 30% refund.
Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 7 days of the trip.Bookings made within 24 hours are eligible for a full refund, with a 3% deduction from the paid amount for credit card processing fees.
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The Physical Rating helps you understand how active a trip will feel - so you can choose an experience that suits your body, energy level, and travel style.
Most Goodmate Travel journeys are designed for travelers with an average level of fitness. We focus on walking, exploring, and experiencing places at a comfortable pace. Some trips, however, are more physically demanding and may require extra preparation.
Physical Rating Guide
1 out of 5 · Gentle
A relaxed, easygoing journey. Think gentle walks, plenty of breaks, and no physical demands unless you choose to add them. Perfect if comfort and ease are your priorities.2 out of 5 · Light
Includes some easy physical activity such as short walks , stairs in subway stations and light outdoor experiences. No special fitness level or preparation needed - just a normal level of mobility.3 out of 5 · Moderate
You’ll stay active throughout the trip with longer walks, stairs, or moderate outdoor activities. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.4 out of 5 · Active
This trip involves regular, more demanding physical activity. Longer days on your feet and challenging terrain may be included. The fitter you are, the more rewarding the journey will feel.5 out of 5 · Challenging
Our most physically demanding adventures. Expect intense activity, long days, and possibly tough conditions. This level is best suited for travelers who are very fit and enjoy pushing their limits. -
We will make every effort to accommodate your dietary requirements to the best of our abilities. However, in certain remote locations, it may be challenging to provide specific guarantees. If there are places on your itinerary where this may pose a challenge, we will notify you in advance. To ensure we can meet your needs, please inform us of any dietary requirements or allergies at the time of booking.
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Traveling with Goodmate Travel requires you to have comprehensive insurance covering cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, personal liability, loss of personal property, and COVID-related expenses before embarking on your journey. It’s crucial to ensure that your insurance also extends to all the activities you plan to enjoy, especially if you’re an adrenaline enthusiast indulging in adventure activities. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities.
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Airport pickup and drop-off are not included. That said, getting into the city is simple and affordable using the airport limousine bus or the AREX train. Closer to the trip, we’ll provide step-by-step guidance so you can arrive smoothly and confidently.
We’re here for you
Yeri, Guest Success Director
Contact
cs@goodmatetravel.com
Address
Office 1006, 85, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03190, South Korea
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