18+ Korean Chuseok Foods (Traditional Harvest Recipes)
Chuseok (추석), Korea’s harvest festival, is one of the most meaningful holidays of the year. Families gather to honor ancestors, share a feast made from the season’s bounty, and spend time cooking together.
Food is at the heart of the celebration. Dishes like Songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes), jeon (savory pancakes), and namul (seasoned vegetables) fill the table alongside soups, meats, and festive rice cakes. These foods aren’t just for eating—they carry stories of gratitude, family, and tradition.
I grew up making songpyeon with my family during Chuseok, carefully shaping the rice cakes before steaming them over pine needles. That memory stays with me every year when I prepare holiday foods.
In this roundup, you’ll find more than 18 authentic Chuseok recipes, from classic ancestral table dishes to sweet rice cake desserts. Whether you’re preparing a full Chuseok spread or just want to try one traditional recipe, these dishes capture the flavors and spirit of the holiday.
18+ Korean Chuseok Foods
Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir-Fry)
Easy Japchae recipe with chewy Korean glass noodles, tender beef, and colorful vegetables in a savory-sweet sauce. Quick to make with authentic taste in every bite.
Korean Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ)
Thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory Korean bulgogi sauce, then pan-seared or grilled to tender, caramelized perfection.
Songpyeon (Korean Chuseok Rice Cake)
Songpyeon is a Korean rice cake filled with sweet fillings and naturally colored. It's an essential treat for Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving celebration. This recipe makes 32 rice cakes.
Best Galbi Jjim (Korean Braised Short Ribs)
Make Galbi Jjim at home with Korean short ribs braised in a savory-sweet sauce until fall-off-the-bone tender. A comforting dish for holidays or family dinners.
Tteokgalbi (Korean Beef Patties)
Tender Korean short rib patties brushed with a soy-honey glaze. A festive tteokgalbi recipe that’s easy enough to make at home.
Korean Meat Tofu Patties (Wanja-jeon)
Wanja-jeon (Korean meat and tofu patties) are pan-fried until golden, tender inside and crisp outside. A holiday favorite at Chuseok, they’re also perfect to make ahead for quick meals or lunchboxes.
Korean Sweet Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts (Yakshik)
Korean sweet rice cake (yakshik) is made with sticky rice, jujube, chestnut, and other nuts. An instant pot makes this authentic recipe extremely easy and quick to prepare. It also serves as a good breakfast or snack.
Sikhye (Sweet Korean Rice Drink)
Make authentic sikhye at home with barley malt and cooked rice. This lightly sweet Korean rice punch is refreshing, gently fermented, and perfect for holidays or served chilled in summer.
Injeolmi (Quick Korean Sweet Rice Cake)
Injeolmi is a chewy, sticky Korean sweet rice cake with a mochi-like texture. This quick microwave recipe lets you enjoy this delicious treat in just 10 minutes.
Ultimate LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs)
Make the best LA Galbi (Korean BBQ short ribs) at home with this easy recipe! Beef short ribs are marinated in a rich, savory two-step marinade, ensuring tender, juicy, and flavorful results every time. Whether grilled, broiled, or pan-cooked, these Korean BBQ short ribs are perfect for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Easy Yukjeon (Korean Beef Pancakes)
Easy and quick recipe for Yukjeon, a popular Korean beef pancake (Jeon)! With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, this dish is perfect for special occasions and dinner gatherings.
Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon Drink)
Sujeonggwa is a Korean cinnamon drink made with cinnamon, ginger, and brown sugar, known for its unique and delicious taste.
Galbitang (Korean Short Rib Soup)
Galbitang is a Korean short rib soup with tender beef and aromatic vegetables in a rich, clear broth. This recipe offers Instant Pot or stovetop options. For the best flavor, prepare it a day ahead.
Korean Beef Radish Soup (Sogogi Muguk)
A clear and comforting Korean beef radish soup (sogogi muguk) made with tender beef, sweet Korean radish, and light umami broth. This simple, nourishing soup is ready in 30 minutes and pairs perfectly with rice and kimchi for a cozy Korean meal.
Perilla Leaves Dumplings with Pork (Kkaennip-jeon)
This Korean pork dumpling recipe is using perilla leaves (kkaennip) as a dumpling wrapper, coated with flour and egg, then pan-fried.
Beef and Rice Cake Skewers (Sanjeok)
Sanjeok is Korean beef and rice cake skewers and it's a traditional holiday food in Korea. Strips of beef are marinated with a quick and simple bulgogi sauce and cooked together with rice cakes and green onion.
Nabak Kimchi (Korean Water Kimchi)
Nabak kimchi is a mild, refreshing Korean water kimchi made with cabbage, radish, and carrot. With minimal chili flakes and no fish sauce, it’s simple and easy to make!
Korean Mung Bean Pancakes (Bindaetteok)
Bindaetteok (Korean mung bean pancakes) are made with ground pork, mung bean puree, mung bean sprouts, and kimchi. There's no added flour in the recipe, which makes this savory snack a wonderful gluten-free dish!
And there you have it – 18+ Korean Chuseok Foods that you can enjoy with your loved ones during Korean Thanksgiving holiday! Happy Chuseok!
18+ Korean Chuseok Foods: Easy Yukjeon (Korean Beef Pancakes)
Easy and quick recipe for Yukjeon, a popular Korean beef pancake (Jeon)! With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, this dish is perfect for special occasions and dinner gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2/3 lb (300 g) Thin beef sirloin slices, 1/8-inch thick
- salt and pepper, to season lightly
- 1/2 cup (60 g) rice flour, or plain wheat flour
- 4 eggs, beaten well
- 2-4 tbsp (30–60 ml oil
Pairing Suggestions – Optional
- simple dipping sauce, see recipe below
- Korean green onion salad (Pa Muchim)
- onion. and red pepper slices, radish sprouts, to make beef-vegetable rolls
Simple Dipping Sauce
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 g) Korean mustard (yeongeoja), or dijon mustard
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: Set your skillet over medium-low heat and add some oil.
- Coat and Cook: First, coat the beef slices in flour. Then, dip them in beaten eggs. Place each slice in the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes before flipping. Cook for another minute or until each side is a light golden brown. If they brown too quickly, lower the heat.Note: For extra flair, consider adding a piece of crown daisy while pan-frying. This is optional but adds a nice garnish.
- Serving Yukjeon: Arrange your cooked Yukjeon on a platter with Korean green onion salad or your simple dipping sauce. Enjoy immediately for the best taste experience. For elegant Presentation, stuff the beef pancake with crisp salad veggies like onion, pepper, and radish sprouts. Roll it up and serve with the dipping sauce
Calories: 241kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 208mg, Sodium: 714mg, Potassium: 365mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 238IU, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 2mg
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