Full of the Scent of the Winter Sea – Want to Go Taste the Buan Snow Mullet Festival Together?
Introduction
In winter, when the cold wind rushes through the alleys, the courtyard in front of Buan Permanent Market fills with the smell of the sea and the sound of people’s laughter. Here, winter snow mullet at its peak flavor awaits visitors, while steaming food stalls and a warmly lit stage gather under the soft winter sunlight to prepare a festival that mirrors the winter seascape.
Full of the Scent of the Winter Sea
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 : Buan Snow (雪) Mullet Festival
- Dates : 2025-12-05 ~ 2025-12-06
- Opening Hours : 10:00~17:00
- Venue : Outdoor Parking Lot of Buan Permanent Market, 55-3 Seowoe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
- Admission : Free
- Host : Buan-gun
- Organizer : Buan-gun, Buan Permanent Market Merchants’ Association
- Inquiries : 010-4679-3810 (Buan-gun)
- 11:00 Start at the Buan Permanent Market food stalls, visiting the snow mullet sashimi zone and special discount booths first.
- 12:30 Enjoy the nostalgia-play booths such as dalgona making and old-school prize drawing while soaking in the market alley atmosphere.
- 14:00 Join the snow mullet gourmet programs like “Find the Golden Mullet: Black-and-White Gourmet” and discounted snow mullet sales to slowly savor the taste of seasonal winter seafood.
- 15:30 Take part in hands-on activities such as making a mini tile pot stand and prepare a simple keepsake.
- 16:00 Share the festive mood by watching the bustling Market Song Festival and the Snow Mullet Trot Festival performances.
Admission is free, and most programs are on-site participation.
The Buan Snow (雪) Mullet Festival is a local specialty seafood festival held every winter in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Centered on snow mullet, which reaches peak flavor in winter, the festival is designed to promote the excellence of regional seafood and to help increase fishers’ income. On-site, you’ll find various food stalls and tasting programs featuring snow mullet, along with side events that capture the unique atmosphere of Buan’s fishing villages.
During the festival period, hands-on programs for families and performances by local arts groups turn the entire market into one big stage. Led by the Buan Permanent Market Merchants’ Association, this event brings together traditional market merchants, residents, and visitors in one place, making it a representative winter festival of Buan where the scent of the winter sea and people’s warmth blend together.
Program Information
This is the main stage of the Buan Snow Mullet Festival, featuring the lively Market Song Festival and Snow Mullet Trot Festival. With guest singers performing, every corner of the market alleys becomes a small performance stage, filling the winter evening with cheerful songs.
This gourmet event centers on snow mullet. You can sample snow mullet prepared in various ways and compare different textures and flavors. It’s a chance to experience the charm of seasonal winter seafood through both color and taste.
Only during the festival period, you’ll find discounted snow mullet sales and a sashimi zone. You can taste and purchase fresh snow mullet at more reasonable prices, making it easy to enjoy both a meal and some shopping in one visit.
This hands-on program brings back childhood memories with dalgona making and classic prize-draw games. It’s a fun corner not only for families with children but also for adults, adding warm smiles to the market alleys.
Try a hands-on activity to make a mini tile pot stand. It’s easy to complete in a short time, and the finished piece becomes a small keepsake that lets you remember the Buan Snow Mullet Festival long after you’ve returned home.
All around Buan Permanent Market, various food booths and special snow mullet discount corners are set up. Enjoy hot soups, snacks, and seasonal seafood all at once while experiencing the market’s unique energy and hospitality.
Admission is free and many experiences are open-access, so you can enjoy the festival with little pressure. However, some events may require advance reservations, so it’s a good idea to check the official information before your visit.
Performances and hands-on programs are mostly concentrated between 11:00 and 16:30, so visiting during this time will help you enjoy all the main programs without missing out.
During peak hours, the parking lot and nearby roads can become crowded. Plan to arrive early and follow on-site guidance to move around more comfortably and enjoy the festival with ease.
For popular activities, fixing a time slot in advance can help reduce waiting time.
Visit (Planned) Impressions
Today is December 1, 2025. With the Buan Snow (雪) Mullet Festival scheduled to be held from Friday, December 5 to Saturday, December 6, my heart is already fluttering in anticipation. The festival scene unfolding in the winter wind is vivid in my mind, and just imagining the fresh, nutty aroma of snow mullet spreading through the winter air around the Buan Permanent Market public parking lot already makes me feel warm inside.
They say the festival market will not only offer mullet sashimi and special mullet discount sales, but also nostalgic booths like dalgona and old-style prize draws that bring back childhood memories, so I expect a natural blend of fun and emotion. The performance lineup is also rich, with a trot festival and market song contest planned to light up the festival nights. I can almost hear the songs from the stage, the applause, and the laughter of the audience soaking into the crisp winter night air.
I’m also curious about what tastes and aromas await in gourmet events like “Find the Golden Mullet: Black-and-White Gourmet,” which seem poised to stimulate all five senses at once. It feels like the spot where the winter mullet once lay will be filled with the lingering scent of mudflats and the sea—cold yet subtly persistent—and that I’ll witness moments where many people gather in one place to warm their bodies and hearts with each other’s presence. Soon, I’ll be on my way to slowly savor this special experience that Buan’s winter has in store.
Recommended Accommodation
There are several places to stay within walking distance of Buan Permanent Market, where the Buan Snow Mullet Festival is held, so you can comfortably leave your car parked and get around on foot. If you’d like to relax nearby after the festival ends, consider staying in central Buan-eup and plan a route that lets you explore both the market and the town.
76 Beonyeong-ro, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
Located in the center of Buan-eup, with convenient access to the market and bus terminal.
You can walk back even late at night, making it convenient to return to your accommodation after the festival.
Distance: 0.3 km
18 Dongjung 3-gil, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
Close to the permanent market, making it ideal for a one-night stay tailored to the festival.
If you are driving, check traffic conditions on nearby roads in advance and allow extra time around check-in.
Distance: 0.4 km
Choosing a place within walking distance of the market lets you enjoy the festival without worrying about parking.
Restaurants & Cafés
Around Buan Permanent Market you’ll find a variety of restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy both meals and dessert in one go. After tasting snow mullet at the festival, walk into downtown Buan for a warm bowl of soup or a relaxing cup at a café to extend the mood of your winter trip.
71 Dangsan-ro, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A Korean restaurant in Buan-eup that’s great for a meal before or after the festival.
It can get busy at lunch and dinner, so visiting at off-peak times will make for a more relaxed meal.
Distance: 0.4 km
7 Nangju-gil, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A place for Chinese cuisine, ideal for a hearty meal between festival activities.
There may be a wait during peak mealtimes, so arriving a bit early will let you dine more comfortably.
Distance: 0.6 km
32 Yongam-ro, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A spot for hearty hot soup dishes, perfect for warming up after a winter festival.
Visit in the evening to share the lingering mood of the festival over a relaxed meal.
Distance: 0.9 km
Garden, 2524 Buan-ro, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A place to try sundae-based dishes while enjoying the area’s simple, local vibe.
If you’re driving, allow extra travel time considering traffic conditions along Buan-ro.
Distance: 1.4 km
25-15 Seoneun 3-gil, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A quiet café ideal for enjoying coffee and dessert.
It’s a nice place to unwind and enjoy some quiet time after the festival.
Distance: 1.5 km
![[Century-old Store] Gyehwa Hoegwan](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/89/2607989_image2_1.jpeg "Full of the Scent of the Winter Sea – Want to Go Taste the Buan Snow Mullet Festival Together?")
95 Byeonsan-ro, Haengan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A century-old restaurant with a long tradition, perfect to visit along with a drive around Buan.
It’s a bit farther from the festival site, so it’s best to include it in an itinerary if you’re traveling by car.
Distance: 1.8 km
256-1 Dongjin-nam-ro, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A great café to stop by on the way toward Byeonsan, where you can enjoy wide-open views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Since it’s a bit of a drive, plan it together with a driving route for a fuller itinerary.
Distance: 3.5 km
After tasting snow mullet at the festival, add some comfort with a warm soup or a relaxing drink at a café.
Nearby Attractions
Not far from Buan Permanent Market you’ll find a variety of cultural heritage sites, parks, and reservoirs, making it easy to connect the festival with a short drive or walk. Visiting nearby historic sites and parks before or after the festival lets you experience Buan’s winter scenery in a richer way.
Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A cultural heritage site set in a quiet village landscape, perfect for a brief stroll.
It’s not far from the festival grounds, making it an easy stop for a short visit.
Distance: 0.3 km
25 Hyangg-yo-gil, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A Confucian cultural heritage site featuring serene hanok buildings and a spacious courtyard.
Visit during quiet hours to enjoy the calm winter scenery at your leisure.
Distance: 0.5 km
89 Maechang-ro, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A historic site related to the poet Yi Maechang, which you can pair with a walk through Maechang Park.
It’s a peaceful place for a quiet walk, offering a very different mood from the lively festival.
Distance: 1.0 km
89 Maechang-ro, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
An urban park with walking paths and rest areas, ideal for a light stroll.
Visit around sunset to see the park wrapped in gentle winter light.
Distance: 1.0 km
Cheongho-ri, Haseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A tranquil reservoir where calm waters and surrounding scenery harmonize, ideal for a scenic drive.
Drive around the area to take in a broader view of Buan’s natural landscapes.
Distance: 6.1 km
Cheongho-ri, Haseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A village near the reservoir where you can enjoy both rural and lakeside scenery.
With a relaxed schedule, you can slowly explore the village’s quiet atmosphere and surrounding nature.
Distance: 6.8 km
49 Gucheongdeung-gil, Sangseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A historic site preserving the serene buildings and courtyard of a Confucian academy.
If you like the calm atmosphere unique to seowon, this is a good place for a quiet winter visit.
Distance: 7.7 km
191 Daesu-gil, Baeksan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province
A space where you can experience traditional crafts such as making hanji (traditional Korean paper).
Check operating hours and availability of programs in advance for a more fulfilling visit.
Distance: 8.6 km
If you’re driving, check parking availability and road conditions at each attraction in advance.
Getting There
Public Transportation — Take a bus bound for Buan-eup, Buan-gun, then get off at Buan Bus Terminal or a stop near the permanent market and walk to the festival grounds. Routes and timetables may vary by season and day of the week, so be sure to check with the relevant bus company or refer to the latest information before your visit.
By Car — From major cities in Jeollabuk-do or expressways, enter via Buan IC and follow signs toward central Buan-eup. Set your navigation to “Buan Permanent Market Outdoor Parking Lot (55-3 Seowoe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province)” for easy access, and use the parking lots adjacent to the festival site.
If you use public transport, checking the last bus times in advance will make your return trip more relaxed.
Closing
Soaked in the scent of the winter sea, the Buan Snow Mullet Festival is a gathering where seasonal seafood and human warmth come together against the backdrop of market alleys. Tasting snow mullet at its peak flavor on-site and filling your day with music and hands-on programs will leave you with a warm winter memory despite the cold air.
This short but tightly packed two-day festival will be a meaningful occasion for families, friends, and couples alike to experience Buan’s winter. Step away from your busy routine and head to Buan Permanent Market to slowly savor the scent of the winter sea and the lively warmth of the market.
Photo Snapshots
Videos
