Late-Autumn Celebration of Korean Rice & Liquor, 2025 K-Rice Festa — Shall We Have a Drink Together?
Introduction
When the cold late-autumn air taps on the windowpanes, the inside of KINTEX in Ilsan slowly warms with the nutty aroma of rice and the gentle breath of traditional liquor. The milky and golden hues of the drinks and rice, piled up like snow, sparkle under the lights, quietly inviting you to pause and take a break from your busy daily life.
Table of Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Visit (Planned) Impressions
- Recommended Accommodation
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Event Name : 2025 Korean Rice & Liquor K-Rice Festa
- Dates : November 28 (Fri) – November 30 (Sun), 2025
- Opening Hours : 10:00 – 18:00
- Venue : KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Hall 3 (217-60 KINTEX-ro, Daehwa-dong, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do)
- Admission : Free with online pre-registration / 5,000 won for on-site registration
- Event Type : Exhibition, sales, and experience festival for Korean rice, Korean liquor, and rice-processed foods
- Organizer : NongHyup Agribusiness Group Inc.
- Contact Number : 070-4681-5717
- Official Website : You can check detailed programs and pre-registration information on the official website and Instagram.
- 10:00 After entering, take a light walk around the main exhibition zone to browse the booths for Korean rice, Korean liquor, and rice-processed foods.
- 11:00 Find the exhibition corner featuring the award-winning products from the quality evaluation and focus on tasting and sampling this year’s selected liquors and rice-processed foods.
- 13:00 Enjoy lunch and side dishes at the K-Rice Tavern and other food booths, relaxing with traditional liquor.
- 14:30 Join hands-on programs such as makgeolli brewing and rice cake making to feel the process of rice and fermentation at your fingertips.
- 16:00 Watch or participate in visitor events like “Find the Golden Rice” and children’s rice clay and food art competitions.
- 17:00 Wrap up by purchasing your favorite Korean liquors and rice-processed foods, and enjoy a final round of tastings and demonstrations at the booths.
Key events such as the opening ceremony and awards ceremony are concentrated on the morning of the first day.
The 2025 K-Rice Festa is an exhibition and sales festival designed to promote the consumption of Korean rice and raise awareness of its excellence. It showcases Korean liquors brewed with domestic rice and a wide variety of rice-processed foods all in one place, and is characterized by providing a venue where producers and distributors can meet consumers directly. Various companies and regions participate to exhibit and promote high-quality Korean rice, Korean liquor, and rice-based products, while visitors can taste and sample them and make purchases on the spot.
At the venue, outstanding products and award-winning entries from the K-Rice Festa quality evaluation are displayed separately, highlighting the depth of Korean rice and traditional liquor. There are also plenty of programs for all ages to enjoy, including traditional liquor tastings, a makgeolli brewing experience, the K-Rice Tavern where you can sample side dishes made with NongHyup ingredients, and children’s programs such as rice clay, Find the Golden Rice, and food art competitions.
Program Information
Companies from across the country specializing in Korean liquor and rice-processed foods participate to exhibit their products, offering tastings and samples on-site along with direct sales. It’s a great space to compare the diverse flavors and aromas created from Korean rice and take your time choosing products that suit your taste.
Award-winning Korean liquors and rice-processed foods selected through the quality evaluation, as well as other high-level entries, are brought together in one place. This corner lets you see at a glance the potential of Korean rice and new innovative attempts.
Sample a variety of traditional liquors presented by breweries from different regions by the glass, while listening to explanations from the brewers and comparing aroma, flavor, and finish. It is especially recommended for those who want to find the liquor that best suits their palate.
A hands-on program where you knead rice and nuruk to brew makgeolli yourself and make rice cakes using rice flour. You can physically feel the fermentation process and the texture of the rice dough—an experience that children and adults can enjoy together.
At the K-Rice Tavern, which sells side dishes and simple foods made with NongHyup ingredients, dishes that pair well with traditional liquor enhance the mood of late-autumn evenings. It also serves as a comfortable rest area where you can sit for a while and soak in the festival atmosphere.
Child-friendly programs such as rice clay, Find the Golden Rice, and food art contests are offered with rice as the main theme. Through play and hands-on activities, children can naturally learn the importance of rice.
This is a participation-based event where you roam around the venue in search of golden rice, enjoying it like completing light missions with family and friends. It naturally expands your viewing route throughout the festival.
A talk concert that shares stories about Korean rice and contemporary interpretations of traditional liquor allows you to view rice and drinking culture from multiple angles. If you want to hear first-hand about producers’ efforts and their new challenges, it’s worth planning your time to attend.
Pre-registration is free, but on-site registration requires a 5,000-won admission fee, so registering online in advance will make your visit easier on the budget. If you are coming with family or friends, completing group registration at once will make your entrance smoother.
On the morning of the first day, key events such as the opening ceremony and quality awards ceremony are scheduled, so timing your visit for this period is a great way to experience the highlights of the festival all at once. After the awards ceremony, we recommend a relaxed route focusing on the booths of the award-winning products.
With a variety of tastings and hands-on programs available, adding activities like makgeolli brewing and children’s programs to simple viewing and shopping will make your day much richer. Popular experiences may fill up early, so it’s best to check the schedule as soon as you arrive on-site.
The opening and awards ceremonies are concentrated on the first morning, so aim for this time slot.
Makgeolli brewing and children’s experience programs may close early once full.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
I visited the “2025 Korean Rice & Liquor K-Rice Festa.” The air outside KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, Hall 3, tinged with the chill of a light winter rain, made the tip of my nose sting, but as soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by sunshine-like warmth and the nutty aroma of rice. The milky and golden colors of the bottles of liquor and rice-processed products sparkling under the lights came together like beautifully colored autumn leaves, instantly catching my eye.
With around 250 booths, there were many spots where people’s paths tangled, yet even that bustle felt like the hot breath of the festival itself. The 160 Korean liquor booths and 60 rice-processed food booths offered such variety that the unique sweetness of traditional liquor, the clean finish, and the subtle tartness born when rice meets fermentation could all be felt through your fingertips, lips, and deep within. At moments, the bursts of laughter here and there, the slightly breathless voices explaining products, and the softly playing music blended together to give the impression that “our culture and sentiments, all born from rice, have gathered here.”
The new programs were also memorable. At the “Talk Concert,” we shared stories about the origins of Korean rice, the hardships of the people who work with it, and reinterpretations of traditional liquor in a modern context. At the “Liquor MBTI Experience Zone,” I tested which types of traditional liquor appealed to my taste buds and felt as though I had formed a small connection between the liquor and myself. In the “Makgeolli Brewing Experience,” handling the cold dough made each step of the brewing process feel almost sacred, and in front of the dish where the food was plated, I felt as if food and culture were becoming one, just like rice flour seeping into dough.
The festival was more than just a product exhibition; it felt like “a mirror reflecting our lives through rice.” The warmth inside, contrasted with the cold air outside, and the warmth shared between people felt all the more precious. This year’s K-Rice Festa clearly demonstrated the potential of Korean rice and liquor, and left me with a strong desire to share these fragrances and colors with even more people next time.
Recommended Accommodation
There are many accommodations around KINTEX in Ilsan that can be reached on foot or with a short drive, making it easy to rest after a full day. Staying at a nearby hotel is especially convenient if you want to leave your luggage, enjoy the festival light-handed, or travel comfortably by public transport after tastings.
255-3 KINTEX-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Daehwa-dong)
A business hotel located very close to KINTEX, convenient for exhibition and event participants.
You can walk to the venue, which keeps things easy even after tasting programs.
Distance: 0.2 km
253 Gangseong-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Daehwa-dong)
An urban hotel in Ilsanseo-gu, located at a convenient driving distance from KINTEX.
If you plan on checking in late, it’s a good idea to confirm transportation and parking availability in advance.
Distance: 0.9 km
15 Jeongbalsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Janghang-dong)
Located near the lake park, making it ideal for a relaxed stay with a stroll.
Perfect for those who want to visit Ilsan Lake Park after the festival.
Distance: 2.6 km
8-32 Ilhyeon-ro 41beon-gil, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Tanhyeon-dong)
A hotel located near a quiet residential area, suitable if you prefer a relatively tranquil atmosphere.
If coming by car, check parking availability in advance for a more comfortable stay.
Distance: 3.0 km
151 Taejang-ro 795beon-gil, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
Located in the Gimpo direction, making it a good base to explore the airport and the Gimpo area together.
As it’s relatively far from the venue, it’s best to allow extra travel time by car.
Distance: 6.3 km
5-9 Jangcha-ro 5beon-gil, Gochon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
A hotel located near Gochon-eup in Gimpo, with a prime location close to the Hangang River.
If you’re traveling by car, allow enough time in your schedule and factor in the travel time to the venue before booking.
Distance: 7.6 km
169 Ara6-ro 152beon-gil, Gochon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
A global chain hotel, ideal if you value guest rooms and additional facilities.
Checking parking and breakfast availability in advance will help you plan a more comfortable stay.
Distance: 8.3 km
210-50 Ara6-ro 152beon-gil, Gochon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
A hotel located near the Ara Canal where you can enjoy waterfront night views during your stay.
If you plan a walk along the Ara Canal before or after the festival, the memories of your trip will linger even longer.
Distance: 8.7 km
Hotels within walking distance of KINTEX may book up quickly on festival weekends.
Restaurants & Cafés
The KINTEX area is surrounded by department stores, café streets, and the lake park, with many restaurants and cafés clustered nearby. This makes it ideal for a meal or a relaxing tea time before or after the festival. If you plan your route focusing on places within walking distance or a short drive, your day will feel much more comfortable.
817 Hosu-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Daehwa-dong)
Located inside the Hyundai Department Store KINTEX branch, this spot lets you enjoy shopping and dining in one go.
Close to the venue, it’s convenient for lunch, dinner, or a simple gathering.
Distance: 0.5 km
11 Taegeuk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Janghang-dong)
A café where you can enjoy characterful interiors and coffee, great for a short break after the festival.
If you include it in a route via the lake park, it’s easy to drop by after a walk.
Distance: 0.8 km
1271-1 Jungang-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Janghang-dong)
A café with plenty of seating and a cozy, atmospheric interior, ideal for leisurely conversation with your group.
It may be busy on weekends, so it’s more comfortable to visit with some extra time.
Distance: 2.6 km
24 Jeongbalsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Janghang-dong)
A stylish café combining a variety of coffee menus with bar-style seating.
In the evening, you can generally enjoy a drink in a relatively relaxed atmosphere.
Distance: 2.7 km
124 Deoksan-ro 312beon-gil, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Deogi-dong)
A café in a residential area, perfect for those who want to enjoy coffee in a calm, quiet setting.
If you’re driving, checking nearby parking conditions in advance will make your visit more relaxing.
Distance: 2.8 km
48-38 Gamnae-gil, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Seongseok-dong)
Located slightly away from the city center, it’s a good place to spend relaxed time in nature.
If you include it as part of a driving route, you can extend the mood of the festival out into nature.
Distance: 5.8 km
138 Jimok-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Munbal-dong)
A makguksu specialty restaurant, ideal for those who love rich broth and the texture of buckwheat noodles.
If you’re heading toward Paju after the event, it’s a great option to include as a meal stop.
Distance: 7.7 km
143 Jimok-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Sinchon-dong)
A café with a brick-themed interior and cozy space, perfect for taking photos.
There may be waiting times on weekend afternoons, so plan to visit with extra time.
Distance: 7.7 km
Cafés around the lake park are especially atmospheric at sunset.
Nearby Attractions
If you combine your KINTEX visit with nearby farms and parks in Gimpo, Ilsan, and Paju, you can make a very fulfilling day. Most of the spots are within about 10 km by car, making them ideal for extending the afterglow of the rice festival through nature and hands-on experiences.
153 Sau-ro, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do (Sau-dong)
A healing-style farm close to the city, ideal for spending quiet time in nature.
Combining the rice festival with a farm experience will make the day even more memorable for children.
Distance: 5.6 km
500 Waseok Sunhwan-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Wadong-dong)
A complex with both indoor and outdoor play facilities, great for visiting with children.
For families, it’s a good place to stop by before or after the festival for some energetic playtime.
Distance: 6.3 km
1-27 Siksa-ro 36beon-gil, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Siksa-dong)
A farm-style attraction where you can meet and care for animals up close.
If you’re visiting with children, we recommend setting aside a whole morning or afternoon session.
Distance: 6.3 km
6 Sannam-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Sannam-dong)
A farm in Paju offering experiential programs with crops.
If you check the seasonal programs in advance, you can make your visit more rewarding.
Distance: 6.4 km
39-15 Sugi-ro, Gochon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
A workshop where you can experience rice cake making and rice processing, matching the concept of the festival perfectly.
Check whether reservations are required and arrange your experience time in advance to make the most of your visit.
Distance: 7.9 km
Jeollyu-ri, Haseong-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
A representative outing spot in Gimpo where you can enjoy river and harbor scenery together.
If you visit around sunset, you can take a leisurely walk while watching the evening glow.
Distance: 8.0 km
38 Jido-ro 80beon-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Todang-dong)
An urban green park that’s ideal for strolling and light relaxation.
Located at a comfortable distance for a light walk the day after viewing the festival.
Distance: 8.7 km
266-1 Hwasin-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Hwajeong-dong)
A large park loved by local residents, offering different scenery in each season.
If you also explore the nearby shopping streets, you can enjoy light snacks along with your walk.
Distance: 8.7 km
For farms and workshops, check whether reservations are required before visiting to keep your schedule smooth.
Getting There
Public Transportation — The address of KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, the event venue, is 217-60 KINTEX-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (Daehwa-dong). From Exit 2 of Daehwa Station on Subway Line 3, you can walk or transfer to a bus. A variety of local and express buses are available, including 3000, 3030, M7106, M7646, M7731, 8109, and 7300.
Car — If you are driving, you will be using the KINTEX parking lot. Parking fees are 1,500 won for the first 30 minutes and 500 won for each additional 10 minutes, with a daily maximum of 12,000 won. Discounts are available for people with disabilities, national merit holders, compact cars, low-emission vehicles, etc., so bringing relevant proof can be helpful.
Considering parking fees, deciding in advance between public transport and driving will make planning easier.
Closing
Held in the crisp late-autumn air, the 2025 Korean Rice & Liquor K-Rice Festa brings together liquors brewed with Korean rice and rice-processed foods in one place. The aromas and colors that fill the KINTEX exhibition hall, along with the tastings and hands-on programs, invite you to slowly reflect on the flavors and potential of Korean rice.
With simple pre-registration, you can enter with ease and enjoy the festival all day long. Take a moment to slow down amid your busy daily routine and share in the depth of the drinks and foods created from rice grown on our land.
