Festivals
Hongseong Namdang Port Jumbo Shrimp Festival 2026: A 1-Night Trip from Seoul (Sep 4–Nov 8)
A 1-Night, 2-Day Trip from Seoul
The Hongseong Namdang Port Jumbo Shrimp Festival (홍성남당항 대하축제) is a shrimp festival held around Namdang Port (남당항) in Seobu-myeon (서부면), Hongseong-gun (홍성군), Chungcheongnam-do (충남). The 31st festival in 2026 runs for 66 days, from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, November 8, and admission is free. Around the port’s seafood market and the outdoor stage, visitors grill daeha (대하, jumbo shrimp) and, on weekends, join hands-on activities such as bare-hand shrimp catching.
From Seoul, take a Janghang Line (장항선) train or a Central City (센트럴시티) express bus to Hongseong (홍성), then city bus 276 to Namdang Port. This guide covers the festival’s fixed prices and how farmed whiteleg shrimp differ from wild daeha, the announced programs, train, express-bus and city-bus times, a Saturday–Sunday overnight plan, the seafood market and Hongseong-eup (홍성읍) Hanwoo (한우) beef, port pensions, and Hongseong Sky Tower (홍성스카이타워) and Hongju-eupseong (홍주읍성).
At a glance
Dates: Friday, September 4 – Sunday, November 8, 2026 (66 days)
Hours: Daily 09:00~24:00 (hours differ by program)
Venue: Around Namdang Port (213-1 Namdanghang-ro, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do)
Admission: Free (food and some activities are paid)
From Seoul: Yongsan (용산) → Hongseong on the Janghang Line, about 2 hours~2 hours 20 minutes, or Central City → Hongseong express bus about 1 hour 50 minutes → city bus 276 about 45~55 minutes
Last ride back: Day 2 — Hongseong 21:42 Mugunghwa → Yongsan 23:55 · last Hongseong→Central City express 20:40 · last Namdang→Hongseong bus 277 at 19:45
Last checked: October 13, 2026
In this guide
- Venue and contacts
- Why go — fixed prices, whiteleg shrimp and wild daeha
- Festival program
- Getting there
- Sample itineraries
- Where to eat · Where to stay
- Tips for foreign visitors
- Nearby · Sources
Venue and Contacts
| Venue | Around Namdang Port · seafood market, outdoor stage, Marine Fountain Park (해양분수공원) 213-1 Namdanghang-ro, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 홍성군 서부면 남당항로 213-1). For navigation, enter ‘남당항’ (Namdang Port) or Namdanghang-ro 213-1 |
|---|---|
| Nearest station | Janghang Line Hongseong Station (홍성역). From the station or the intercity bus terminal, city bus 276 toward Namdang Port takes about 45~55 minutes. Bus 276 also runs from Gwangcheon Station (광천역) to Namdang |
| How long | One day fills up with a shrimp meal and a walk around the port. For bare-hand catching, sunset, and Sky Tower plus Hongju-eupseong the next day, plan a 1-night, 2-day trip |
| Contact | Namdang Port Festival Committee phone 010-5433-8196 · official blog blog.naver.com/official_namdang |
Why Go — Fixed Prices, Whiteleg Shrimp and Wild Daeha
Worth knowing: The festival’s fixed prices at participating shops (45,000 won/kg takeaway · 60,000 won/kg restaurant) apply to farmed whiteleg shrimp (흰다리새우). Wild daeha follows the daily fisheries cooperative auction price and costs about 20,000 won/kg more. Before you haggle, check the menu for ‘흰다리’ (whiteleg) versus ‘자연산 대하’ (wild daeha).
Sixty-six days of shrimp season at a West Sea port
Namdang Port sits on Cheonsu Bay (천수만) and is known for its autumn daeha festival. In fall, salt-grilled shrimp stalls and kalguksu (칼국수, knife-cut noodle) pots fill the seafood market and the area around the outdoor stage; in the evening, Fountain Park and the breakwater get busy. The Korea Tourism Organization’s English name is Hongseong Namdang Port Jumbo Shrimp Festival.
2026 is the 31st year. The opening shows (September 4–6) and Chuseok (추석, Korean harvest festival) shows (September 25–26) have already finished; for the rest of the run, the food market and weekend activities such as bare-hand catching and singing contests continue. There is no admission fee—you pay only for shrimp and activities.
Daeha and whiteleg shrimp are different shrimp
Among the shrimp people casually call ‘daeha,’ the festival fixed price applies to farmed whiteleg shrimp: 45,000 won for 1 kg takeaway, and 60,000 won for 1 kg grilled at a restaurant, aligned across participating shops. Wild daeha, by contrast, changes with that day’s auction result and, according to news reports, costs about 20,000 won more per kg than whiteleg.
On the menu the Korean words can look similar, but the bill does not. Before you order, point at the menu and ask whether it is ‘흰다리’ or ‘자연산,’ and whether 1 kg includes the heads and skidashi (스키다시, small complimentary side dishes of raw seafood that often come with a seafood order). Butter-grilled shrimp heads and seafood kalguksu sometimes carry an extra charge.
Why a 1-night, 2-day trip works better
Hongseong-eup and Namdang Port are about 50 minutes apart by city bus. A day trip is enough for one shrimp meal, but for bare-hand catching (around 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday), a West Sea sunset, and Sky Tower plus Hongju-eupseong the next day, staying at Namdang is more relaxed. Take the last ride back to Seoul from Hongseong on Day 2.
Good to know
The fixed takeaway price of 45,000 won/kg and restaurant price of 60,000 won/kg are for farmed whiteleg shrimp. Wild daeha follows the daily fisheries cooperative auction price and, according to reports, costs about 20,000 won more per kg. Even under the same ‘daeha’ sign, check the type first.
Festival Program
As of October 13, 2026, a full day-by-day timetable has not been published. Below are the items announced by Hongseong-gun, the Korea Tourism Organization and news reports, plus weekend activity notes. The grounds run daily 09:00~24:00; each program has its own hours.
Announced programs
| Program | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening · Chuseok shows | Opening shows September 4–6, Chuseok shows September 25–26 — already finished |
| Bare-hand daeha catch | Around 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (from news and interviews). If you visit on a weekend, build your day around this time |
| Daeha peeling | A hands-on session on cleaning shrimp. Follow the on-site schedule |
| Singing contest | A resident and visitor sing-along on the outdoor stage |
| Food market | Salt-grilled daeha, kalguksu, raw fish and more, at the seafood market and booths throughout the festival |
Good to know
A full stage timetable by date and time is not on the official blog (official_namdang) yet. For bare-hand catching, plan around 3 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday.
Getting There
From Seoul to Hongseong, the Janghang Line train and the Central City express bus are the straightforward options. After you arrive in Hongseong, take city bus 276 to Namdang Port. There is no direct bus from Seoul Nambu Terminal (남부터미널) to Hongseong.
| Option | Times · duration · fare |
|---|---|
| Janghang Line train Yongsan → Hongseong |
ITX-Saemaeul · Saemaeul · ITX-Maeum · Mugunghwa About 2 hours~2 hours 20 minutes · Mugunghwa ₩9,600 / Saemaeul-class ₩14,300 Pick same-day times in Korail Talk |
| Express bus Central City → Hongseong |
14 trips a day, 06:40~21:40 About 1 hour 50 minutes Transfer to bus 276 after you arrive at the terminal |
| Express bus Dong Seoul → Hongseong |
08:10 · 12:10 · 18:40 Fewer trips; Central City is the better choice |
| City bus 276 Hongseong → Namdang Port |
07:40 08:40 10:00 11:10 13:00 14:10 15:20 16:30 17:35 19:10 20:45 (+271 at 18:30) About 45~55 minutes · card ₩1,400 Departs from the terminal, via Hongseong Station. Hongseong-gun city bus timetable |
| City bus 277 Namdang Port → Hongseong |
06:40 07:35 08:45 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:10 14:45 15:55 16:55 18:00 19:45 (last) About 45~55 minutes · card ₩1,400 On Day 2, use this last bus as your cue to head into town or to the station |
| Return train Hongseong → Yongsan |
Hongseong 21:42 Mugunghwa → Yongsan 23:55 Earlier ITX-Saemaeul-class trains also run (for example around 15:49). Same-day times are in Korail Talk |
| Return express Hongseong → Central City |
Last bus 20:40 Arrive in town on the 277 last bus at 19:45, then board with time to spare |
Our pick
To catch Saturday’s bare-hand session (around 3 p.m.), take a morning Central City express or a morning Yongsan Janghang Line train, then the 10:00 or 11:10 bus 276. With heavy bags, Sinbaram Tourist Taxi (신바람 관광택시) from Hongseong Station or the terminal is another option (₩50,000 for 4 hours / ₩70,000 for 6 hours).
Good to know
By car, Seoul→Namdang is about 140km and about 2 hours (without traffic). On weekends port parking fills up, so public transit is often less tiring. Bus 276 also runs from Namdang to Gwangcheon Station, so you can combine other Janghang Line stops.
Last leg to the festival
- Bus/shuttle: From Hongseong Intercity Bus Terminal or Hongseong Station, take 276 → get off at Namdang Port. Card ₩1,400, about 45~55 minutes. Return on 277, last bus 19:45
- Taxi: Sinbaram Tourist Taxi from Hongseong Station, the terminal or your lodging (4h ₩50,000 / 6h ₩70,000). Ordinary taxis also cover the Namdang–Hongseong-eup stretch
Sample Itineraries
This is a Saturday–Sunday overnight example by public transit. Shift the blocks forward or back to match the train or express bus you booked. Keep bare-hand catching, bus 277 and the last ride home at the end of the plan.
Tip
To include Sky Tower on Day 2 (opens 10:00, closed Mondays), check out on Sunday. If you come on a Monday, skip Sky Tower and Hongjuseong History Museum (홍주성역사관) and spend the day at the port with shrimp instead.
Day 1 (Sat)
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | Central City → Hongseong express (about 1 hour 50 minutes), or Yongsan Janghang Line ITX-Saemaeul-class |
| 10:00 / 11:10 | Hongseong Terminal (via the station) 276 → Namdang Port (about 50 minutes) |
| 12:00–13:30 | Salt-grilled daeha plus butter-grilled heads and kalguksu at the seafood market (Where to eat) |
| 14:00–15:30 | Bare-hand daeha catch (around 3 p.m. Sat/Sun) · walk Marine Fountain Park and the port |
| 16:00–17:00 | Check-in (Where to stay — Namdang Dalbit Pension from 15:00 / Namdang Hill Pension from 14:00~) |
| 17:15–18:00 | West Sea sunset from the Namdang coast or sunset viewpoint (around 17:40 in late October) |
| Evening | Raw fish or a second round of daeha at Namdang Port (Where to eat) |
Day 2 (Sun)
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | Check out → taxi or tourist taxi to Hongseong Sky Tower (opens 10:00, about 8 minutes by car) |
| 11:00 / 12:00 | 277 → Hongseong-eup (about 50 minutes) |
| 12:30 | Naedang Hanu lunch (Where to eat) — arrive before the 15:00–17:00 break |
| 13:30–15:30 | Walk Hongju-eupseong and Hongjuseong History Museum (Nearby) |
| 16:00–17:00 | Hongseong → Seoul (afternoon train or express). With extra time, last express 20:40 · last train 21:42 |
With a rental car or a 6-hour tourist taxi, you can see Sky Tower on Day 2 and then swing toward Sudeoksa Temple (수덕사) or Haemi-eupseong (해미읍성). For Anmyeondo (안면도) Kkotji (꽃지) sunset, treat it as a Day 1 alternative—the loop is shorter that way.
Where to Eat
Daeha and raw-fish restaurants cluster in seafood market Building B and along the port road. Festival fixed prices at participating shops are ₩45,000/kg takeaway · ₩60,000/kg restaurant (farmed whiteleg shrimp). For Day 2 lunch, move into Hongseong-eup for Naedang Hanu.
Tip
Weekend lunch from 12–14h is busy at the seafood market. Second-floor seats overlook the harbor. Ask about extra charges for skidashi and butter-grilled heads before you sit. If you want wild daeha, remember the auction price applies—not the festival fixed price.
Wang-eonni Hoesusan (왕언니회수산), “second-floor seats with a harbor view”
A seafood restaurant on the second floor of Namdang Port seafood market Building B. Windows look out over the harbor, and it is about a 4-minute walk to the festival. Many guests also come for seafood kalguksu and hoe-deopbap (회덮밥, raw-fish rice bowl).
Type: Seafood · daeha · kalguksu
Signature dishes: Daeha restaurant price ₩60,000/kg (farmed whiteleg fixed price) · seafood kalguksu ₩13,000 · hoe-deopbap ₩20,000
Hours: Daily 09:00–21:00
Tip for foreign visitors: It is on the second floor—check the elevator or stairs first. On the menu, separate whiteleg from wild, and ask whether the price is per 1 kg
Getting there: About 4 minutes on foot from the festival (Namdang Port pier), about 270m
Address · phone: B-dong 2F room 206, 1 Namdanghang-ro 213beon-gil, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do · 041-631-3306
Visitor review: Wang-eonni Hoesusan visit notes (Yeogiyu (여기유), 2026-05) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Yeonsukine Susan (연숙이네수산), “daeha plus a kalguksu table”
On the first floor of the same seafood market Building B. An October 2026 visit write-up describes about 150,000 won for three people with 1 kg of daeha, skidashi and seafood kalguksu, plus ₩5,000 for butter-grilled heads. It sits right beside the festival grounds.
Type: Seafood · daeha · kalguksu
Signature dishes: Daeha restaurant price ₩60,000/kg (farmed whiteleg fixed price) · seafood kalguksu · ramen ₩15,000 · hoe-deopbap · mulhoe (물회, cold raw-fish soup) ₩25,000 · butter-grilled heads extra example ₩5,000
Hours: Daily 09:00–22:00
Tip for foreign visitors: Before you order, point and ask what is in the set. Save the address in a map app instead of relying on the phone number
Getting there: About 2 minutes on foot from the festival (Namdang Port pier), about 170m
Address · phone: B-dong 1F room 113, 1 Namdanghang-ro 213beon-gil, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Visitor review: Yeonsukine Susan daeha festival visit (Yeogiyu, 2026-10) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Daemyeong Hoesenta (대명회센타), “kalguksu and mulhoe on the port road”
A seafood restaurant at 190 Namdanghang-ro, on the south side of the festival road. It is also known for clam, perilla-seed and kongguksu (콩국수, cold soybean-noodle soup), seafood kalguksu and mulhoe; daeha is sold at sitga (싯가, market price for that day). If you want to step a little away from the seafood-market queues, keep this as an alternative.
Type: Seafood · kalguksu · mulhoe
Signature dishes: Clam · perilla-seed · kongguksu ₩10,000 · seafood kalguksu ₩15,000 · mulhoe ₩25,000 · daeha at sitga (market price; separate from the festival fixed price)
Hours: Daily 10:00–20:00
Tip for foreign visitors: When you order daeha, ask again whether it is the whiteleg fixed price or sitga. There is no phone listed here—save the address in a map app
Getting there: About 3 minutes on foot from the festival (Namdang Port pier), about 220m
Address · phone: 190 Namdanghang-ro, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Visitor review: Daemyeong Hoesenta at Namdang Port, naedonnaesan (내돈내산, paid own way—not a sponsored visit) (foodlovetrip, 2026-05) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Naedang Hanu (내당한우), “Day 2 Hanwoo beside Hongju-eupseong”
A Hanwoo beef restaurant on Amun-gil in Hongseong-eup. It works well for lunch before or after Hongju-eupseong on Day 2. A signature plate is the ‘오늘뭐먹지’ (What should I eat today) Hanwoo assortment. From Namdang Port it is about 30~50 minutes by bus or car.
Type: Hanwoo · grilled meat
Signature dishes: ‘오늘뭐먹지’ Hanwoo assortment and others — prices follow the on-site menu
Hours: 11:00–22:00 · break 15:00–17:00 · closed for Seollal (설) and Chuseok holidays
Tip for foreign visitors: Arrive before the break. Ask about the portion size and minimum order first
Getting there: From the festival (Namdang Port), bus 277 about 50 minutes or about 30 minutes by car → 6 Amun-gil 52beon-gil, Hongseong-eup
Address · phone: 6 Amun-gil 52beon-gil, Hongseong-eup, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do · 041-632-0156
Visitor review: Naedang Hanu Hongseong visit (kjih7963, 2025-07) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Where to Stay
We picked two pensions within walking distance of Namdang Port. Both show the building exterior on their official websites, and both are about a 10~14-minute walk from the festival. For a weekend stay, book ahead by phone or through the website.
Namdang Dalbit Pension (남당달빛펜션), “a stone pension you can walk to the port from”
A pension at 275 Namdanghang-ro. It has a gray stone exterior and a yard, and it is about a 10-minute walk (about 760m) to the festival. The official website lists rooms and takes phone bookings.
Type: Pension
Check-in · check-out: 15:00 / 11:00
Price on booking sites: Phone booking on the official website (041-631-2100); rates are listed by room and date (official site, 2026-10-13)
Tip for foreign visitors: There is little English, so send your dates, party size and check-in time in numbers when you book
To the festival: About 10 minutes on foot (about 760m)
Address · phone: 275 Namdanghang-ro, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do · 041-631-2100
Booking: Namdang Dalbit Pension official website
Visitor review: Namdang Dalbit Pension overnight review (Naver Blog, 2025-09) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Namdang Hill Pension (남당힐펜션), “a pension with a pine garden and wooden balconies”
A pension on the hill along Namdanghang-ro 140beon-gil. It has wooden balconies and a garden. To the festival it is about a 14-minute walk (about 1.0km) or about 3 minutes by car. Weekend rates by room size are on the official rate sheet.
Type: Pension
Check-in · check-out: Check-in 14:00~22:00 / 11:00
Price on booking sites: Weekend ₩130,000 (2 guests, 15 pyeong)~₩370,000 (official rate sheet, 2026-10-13)
Tip for foreign visitors: Check-in is open until 22:00, so you can arrive after bare-hand catching and sunset. Book on the official site or by phone (041-634-7723 / 010-7713-7781)
To the festival: About 14 minutes on foot (about 1.0km) · about 3 minutes by car
Address · phone: 75-41 Namdanghang-ro 140beon-gil, Seobu-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do · 041-634-7723
Booking: Namdang Hill Pension official website
Visitor review: Namdang Hill Pension Building C stay review (Naver Blog, 2026-04) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Tips for Foreign Visitors
- Fixed-price types: Takeaway ₩45,000/kg · restaurant ₩60,000/kg are farmed whiteleg shrimp prices. Wild daeha is auction-priced and can cost about 20,000 won more per kg.
- Payment: Many seafood-market shops take cards, but small booths may take cash only. Keep a little change.
- Maps: Save ‘남당항’ (Namdang Port), ‘홍성역’ (Hongseong Station) and your lodging address in Naver Map or KakaoMap. Google Maps alone often lacks city-bus transfer detail.
- Translation: Photograph the menu with Papago. Look for ‘흰다리’ and ‘자연산’ first.
- Last rides: Last Namdang→Hongseong 277 at 19:45, last Hongseong→Central City express at 20:40, last Hongseong→Yongsan train at 21:42 (→23:55). Build Day 2 around these times.
- What to wear: The port is windy and grill smoke drifts. Comfortable shoes and a light layer help.
Good to know
Festival inquiries go to the Namdang Port Festival Committee at 010-5433-8196. Official notices appear on the Naver blog official_namdang.
Nearby
The basic Day 2 loop is Hongseong Sky Tower and Hongju-eupseong. With a rental car or tourist taxi you can also fit short stops at Sudeoksa, Haemi-eupseong or Anmyeondo Kkotji.
Hongseong Sky Tower (홍성스카이타워), “Cheonsu Bay views by elevator”
A observation tower at 689 Namdanghang-ro. From Namdang it is about 8 minutes by car (about 5.2km), so it fits a Day 2 morning. There is a skywalk—if heights bother you, know that before you go.
Getting there: From the festival (Namdang Port), about 8 minutes by car or taxi (about 5.2km). Walking is not practical
Hours: 10:00~19:00 · closed Mondays, January 1, Seollal and Chuseok
Price: ₩3,000 (₩2,000 refund with Hongseong Love Gift Certificate)
How long: About 40 minutes~1 hour
Visitor review: Hongseong Sky Tower and Sokdong Viewpoint visit (Tistory, 2025-05) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Hongju-eupseong (홍주읍성), “a fortress wall in the middle of town”
A remaining eupseong (읍성, town fortress) in Hongseong-eup. You can walk the walls anytime, and next door Hongjuseong History Museum covers local history in a short visit. It sits well before or after Day 2 lunch at Naedang Hanu.
Getting there: From Namdang Port, bus 277 about 50 minutes, or about 30 minutes by car
Hours: Walls always open · Hongjuseong History Museum March–October 09:00~18:00, November–February 09:00~17:00 · closed Mondays
Price: Walls free · museum follows on-site guidance
How long: About 1~2 hours
Visitor review: Hongjuseong History Museum visit (Tistory, 2026-03) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Rental car or taxi alternatives — Sudeoksa · Haemi-eupseong · Anmyeondo Kkotji
These stops are tight in one day on public transit alone. With a 6-hour tourist taxi or a rental car, use them as short Day 2 alternatives.
Getting there: Sudeoksa — bus 290 from Hongseong, or about 26 minutes by car from Namdang via Hongseong · Haemi-eupseong — about 29 minutes by car (bus 263 runs once a day, so skip it) · Anmyeondo Kkotji — about 47 minutes by car
Hours: Sudeoksa, Haemi-eupseong and Kkotji Beach are daytime visits
Price: Anmyeondo Recreation Forest admission ₩1,500; each site has its own fee
How long: Plan about 1~2 hours each and pick only one
Visitor review: Haemi-eupseong visit (Tistory, 2025-12) — a Korean post; use your browser's translate feature
Sources
- Official: Hongseong-gun Hongseong Namdang Port Jumbo Shrimp Festival info · Namdang Port Festival Committee official blog · inquiries 010-5433-8196
- Festival info: Korea Tourism Organization VisitKorea Korean festival page · VisitKorea (English) · Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regional festival
- Daeha fixed prices · whiteleg vs wild: TJB · Chungnam Naepo News (committee chair interview) · News Home
- Trains: Janghang Line Yongsan–Hongseong timetable and fares train timetable collection · booking Korail
- Buses: Hongseong-gun rural bus timetable (276·277·290·263) · express booking KOBUS · Hongseong-gun Sinbaram Tourist Taxi
- Where to eat: Wang-eonni Hoesusan and Yeonsukine Susan shop info and visitor reviews · Daemyeong Hoesenta and Naedang Hanu visitor reviews (Naver Blog · Tistory)
- Where to stay: Namdang Dalbit Pension official website · Namdang Hill Pension official website
- Nearby: Hongseong-gun Hongseong Sky Tower · Hongjuseong History Museum · Hongju-eupseong photo Korea.net/KOCIS (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Maps: Illustrated maps WonderGrid. Walking times are approximate values from OpenStreetMap pedestrian routes
Last checked: October 13, 2026