Busan is good

A Gourmet Journey to the Kingdom of Wheattopia: “2026 Busan Wheat Festival” to Be Held!

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Busan Metropolitan City (Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk) announced that it will host the “2026 Busan Wheat Festival” for two days from May 9 to 10 at Hwamyeong Ecological Park.

Now in its third year, the “2026 Busan Wheat Festival” is designed based on Busan’s historical background as a major wheat distribution center following the Korean War, offering visitors a deep and diverse experience of wheat-based cuisine—one of humanity’s most important staple foods and one of the world’s three major crops.

Last year (2025), the festival attracted approximately 33,000 visitors over two days, establishing itself as a representative gourmet tourism festival of western Busan.

This year (2026), the festival introduces the fictional world of the “Kingdom of Wheattopia,” featuring a “Food Lounge” at Hwamyeong Auto Camping Site and a worldview-based “Concept Experience Zone” at the lotus complex.

[Food Lounge] At Hwamyeong Auto Camping Site, a “Gastronomic Treaty Zone” will be presented, where diverse wheat and non-wheat themed dishes come together.

The “Gastronomic Treaty Zone” will feature approximately 25 vendors, including Michelin-recognized restaurants, popular local eateries, and trending spots with long wait times, such as Pyeongyang House (mung bean pancakes), Ultra Bite (boneless Hong Kong-style fried pork trotters), Taco Sounds Club (chimichanga), Chopilsal Pork Grill (pork skin), Mibundang (pho), and Angssiang (bakery). It will operate as an integrated food and beverage (F&B) lounge where visitors can enjoy signature wheat dishes such as kalguksu, pasta, and pizza, alongside gluten-free options such as pho, mung bean pancakes, and banh mi.

In particular, this year (2026) introduces a nighttime program, “Pairing Night (18:00–22:00),” offering gourmet experiences that pair various festival foods with alcoholic beverages such as beer, vodka, and whiskey. Interactive performances enabling communication between audiences and artists will also be held, aiming to extend nighttime stays for adult visitors.

A large shaded dining area with approximately 2,000 seats will be installed to ensure a comfortable dining environment even in rainy weather. Additionally, all booths will use eco-friendly reusable containers, and a return system for these containers will be implemented, promoting a sustainable, environmentally friendly festival operation.

[Concept Experience Zone] At the lotus complex in Hwamyeong Ecological Park, experiential programs will be operated across three zones based on the “Kingdom of Wheattopia” storyline.

In the “Wheat Guardians Zone,” visitors can enjoy a flea market for wheat-based products and participate in activities such as making straw hats, creating wheat-themed keycap keyrings, and making their own pizza.

In the “Secret Society Zone,” a vegan and gluten-free flea market will be held, along with alternative crop experience programs such as making rice macarons and root vegetable cupcakes.

In the “Neutral Zone,” visitors from both factions can freely interact while enjoying participatory events such as faction competitions, mini-games, and NPC parades. Depending on the outcome of the competitions, time-limited discounts on menu items from the winning faction will also be offered.

In addition, regional linked programs will include the Nakdong River Eco Exploration Boat operating between Hwamyeong Dock and the Gupo Station area, as well as pop-up stores at Gupo Market featuring items such as gimbap and snack foods.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Busan Regional Office of SMEs and Startups under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the “Our Grain Companion Market” will be held within the “Secret Society Zone.” Around 10 Busan-based small businesses related to domestic grains such as rice, barley, and mixed grains will participate in product sales and receipt-based promotional events.

More details can be found on the Busan Wheat Festival website (festivalbusan.com/wheat). Information on participating vendors and menus for the “Food Lounge” will be announced later on the website, and entry may require waiting depending on capacity.

Kim Kyung-duk, Acting Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “This year’s Busan Wheat Festival goes beyond a simple food festival, presenting an immersive gourmet experience where visitors become the protagonists of the story through the unique world of the Kingdom of Wheattopia.” He added, “We have prepared a well-rounded program where families can enjoy daytime activities and adults can participate in nighttime gourmet parties, and we hope many citizens and tourists will join us.”