Korean culture1 min read
How my family spends Chuseok
Making songpyeon, a long drive to my grandparents’ town and far too much food. Korea’s harvest festival from the inside.
Chuseok, 추석, is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, so the date changes every year.
Songpyeon night
The evening before, the whole family sits on the floor and makes 송편, small rice cakes filled with sesame and honey. My grandmother says the person who makes the prettiest songpyeon will have a pretty daughter. Mine never look pretty.
The long drive
Millions of people travel at the same time, so the roads are full. A trip that usually takes three hours can take seven. We bring snacks and a lot of patience.
A greeting to remember
If you have Korean friends, you can send them this:
즐거운 추석 보내세요! Have a happy Chuseok!
They’ll be happy you remembered.