A taste of Korea’s harvest festival, with simple ways to gather, give, and make room at your table.
Maybe you remember a kitchen that became a little busier every autumn. A plate of rice cakes on the counter. Someone turning jeon in a pan while another person found room for one more dish. Or maybe Chuseok is new to you, and you are wondering where to begin.
Start with something you would like to share. Warm rice and a few vegetables can become dinner with a friend. A small plate of chewy rice cakes can turn an ordinary cup of tea into a reason to sit down together. You do not need a large gathering to make the occasion feel personal.
Our Chuseok collection is an invitation to explore those possibilities. Here is a little background on the holiday, a closer look at the foods, and a practical way to bring them to your own table—even if this is your first time celebrating.
What Chuseok celebrates
Chuseok falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. In 2026, the day itself is Friday, September 25. Rooted in gratitude for the harvest, it is a time when many families gather, share food, and remember earlier generations. Some observe ancestral rites or visit family graves; customs differ from household to household.
For a gathering in your own home, let that sense of appreciation guide the plan. Invite someone whose company you have missed. Ask a relative about a dish they remember. If a guest is bringing food, leave space for it. The table can hold a family favorite alongside something everyone is trying for the first time.
Begin with a bite of rice cake
Songpyeon is one of the foods most closely associated with Chuseok. These small, half-moon-shaped rice cakes have a pleasantly chewy outside and fillings that may include sesame, beans, or chestnuts. Traditionally steamed over pine needles, they are a distinctive part of the holiday’s food culture.
If you are new to Korean rice cakes, give yourself a moment with the texture. The gentle resistance when you bite, followed by a little sweetness from the filling, is part of the pleasure. Set out a few pieces with tea and let people try them at their own pace. There is no need to build an entire dessert course around them.
You can also explore other kinds of tteok, the broader family of Korean rice cakes. Our seasonal collection includes rice cake options such as baram tteok and assorted sets. Those names describe different products; a rice cake assortment is not automatically a songpyeon assortment. Read the contents and choose the textures and fillings that appeal to you.
Before serving, follow the directions on the particular package. Some rice cakes need thawing or reheating, and one method will not suit every kind. Decide how many pieces you want to put out first, then prepare that amount as directed. Keep the rest according to the product’s storage instructions.
Make room for the vegetables
The vegetable dishes deserve a place where everyone can reach them. Namul, a broad term used for prepared and seasoned vegetables and greens, brings variety to a meal: tender leaves, stems with a little bite, and seasonings that complement a spoonful of rice. A small dish can make the next mouthful feel different.
For a first gathering, two vegetable sides are a comfortable place to start. You might serve prepared spinach namul and soybean sprouts, or choose vegetables you already enjoy cooking. Put each in its own small bowl. Guests can taste them separately, then decide what they want beside their rice and main dish.
Shopping for namul takes one extra check. Our Chuseok collection includes dried vegetables such as dried gondre and dried aster. These are ingredients for cooking, not ready-to-eat seasoned side dishes. Check the package for soaking, boiling, and other preparation steps before you plan to serve them. They suit a meal you have time to prepare ahead.
If time is short, keep your vegetable plan familiar. Make a side dish you know, or choose a clearly labeled prepared option elsewhere in your shopping. You can explore dried greens another day. A relaxed host who sits down to eat is a good addition to any holiday table.
Give something they will enjoy opening
A food gift feels more personal when you can picture how someone will enjoy it. A friend who likes an afternoon tea break might appreciate a small sweet. Someone who cooks Korean meals regularly may enjoy choosing ingredients for their own table. Think about their routine before choosing the largest box.
The seasonal collection includes a Sannae Village Yanggaeng Gift Set, another direction to explore for someone who enjoys Korean sweets. Check its listed flavors and ingredients rather than assuming every piece is the same. With rice cake sets, check the assortment as well as the recipient’s freezer space and willingness to prepare the contents.
Add a short note about why you chose it. If you are shipping a gift, check the current delivery estimate and make sure the recipient can receive and store it. For this week’s celebration, do not assume an order will arrive before Chuseok; choose your plan around the timing shown at checkout.
Shop the Chuseok collection
Explore Seoul Mills’ Chuseok collection for rice cakes, sweets, and ingredients for your own gathering. Choose something you are curious to taste or something you would be happy to give. Check each product’s contents, preparation instructions, availability, and delivery details as you shop.
