While Christmas in Korea is usually a time for celebrating with friends or for going on dates, Seollal, like Chuseok, is more of a family-based celebration. Many Koreans travel back to their family homes during this period.

 

Seollal

Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant and enjoyable holidays in South Korea. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, and families come together to honor their ancestors, share festive meals, and enjoy time with loved ones. The holiday is a beautiful blend of tradition and family bonding.

 

Activities

Seollal is not only about feasting but also about engaging in traditional activities. One of the most iconic traditions is sebae, a formal bow performed by children to show respect to their elders. Families also gather to play traditional games like yunnori, a board game involving sticks, and jegichagi, a fun game where participants kick a weighted cloth ball to keep it in the air. What you also can do is rent a Hanbok and visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, go to a ski resort to spend the holiday or go to the Korean folk village for a special new year performance.

 

 

 

 

Gifts

Gift-giving is a meaningful part of Seollal celebrations, reflecting respect and gratitude. Common gifts include money, which is often presented in colorful envelopes, or practical items like health supplements, gift sets, clothes, and luxury food items. This gesture is meant to show appreciation for family members and friends, especially for older relatives. Also, in the workspace, the boss gifts the employees New Year gifts.

 

 

△ Traditional Korean Envelope for Sebatdon (세뱃돈, Gift of Money)

 

Food

Food plays a central role in Seollal celebrations. The highlight of the holiday meal is tteokguk, a soup made with thinly sliced rice cakes, Representing the passing of time and getting a year older. Other traditional dishes include jeon (savory pancakes) duk-guk (soup) and kimchi. These meals are often prepared together by families. There are many other sweet things that you can try as well:

 

• Japchae (잡채, Stir-fried Glass Noodles)
  Japchae is another must-have dish during traditional Korean holidays. Made with glass noodles stir-fried with spinach, carrots, onions, and beef, it is seasoned with soy sauce and has a slightly sweet flavor. The chewy texture and balanced taste make it a delightful dish. It’s often featured in Korean variety shows, where foreign visitors enjoy it wholeheartedly. Highly recommended!

 

• Galbijjim (갈비찜, Braised Short Ribs)
  Koreans love braised short ribs, a dish that is never missing from traditional celebrations or birthdays! When preparing galbijjim, vegetables, short ribs, and sauce are cooked together until the broth is absorbed. Once the sauce thickens, Korean glass noodles (dangmyeon) are added, creating a perfect pairing. While the sauce might taste somewhat similar to Korean stir-fried beef, braised short ribs are richer in flavor, with a delightful sweetness. Mixing the sauce with rice makes it even more delicious.

 

 

△   Galbijjim (left) │ Japchae (right)

 

 

• Hangwa (한과, Korean Sweets)
  Korean traditional snacks, Hangwa, include varieties like Yakgwa, and Yugwa. These sweets are characterized by their chewy texture and sweetness.  (약과, Honey Cookies): A honey-infused dough made from flour and sesame oil, deep-fried, and coated with malt syrup or honey. These treats are not only flavorful but also visually stunning. Yugwa (유과, rice puff): Among the most elaborate snacks made from glutinous rice, Yugwa is crispy and makes a delightful sound when bitten into—my personal favourite!

 

 

△   Yugwa (left) │ Hangwa (right)

 

 

You should definitely try this out when you have the chance.

 

Korean traditions during Seollal

 

• Wearing 한복 (Hanbok)
  During Seollal, many Koreans wear the beautiful and colorful hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. Wearing a hanbok is a way of honoring cultural heritage and adding an extra touch of elegance to the holiday celebrations.

 

 

 

 

• 사주 (Saju│Fortune-Telling)
  For many, the start of the new year is an opportunity to seek guidance for the future. One common practice during Seollal is visiting a saju fortune-teller, who interprets the five elements based on a person’s birth year, month, day, and time. The predictions offer insights into one’s fate, career, relationships, and health, giving people a sense of direction as they step into the new year.

 

• Watching the First 해돋이 (Haedoji│Sunrise)
  Some Koreans mark the new year by waking up early to watch the first haedoji, or sunrise. This tradition is rooted in the belief that watching the year’s first sunrise brings good fortune and a fresh start.

 

• Preparing and eating 만두 (Mandu)
  Korean dumplings are what most Koreans eat during Seollal. They are filled with minced meat, vegetables, and sometimes kimchi. Making Mandu is a family activity where members come together to prepare and share these treats.

 

 

 

 

• 연날리기 (Yeonnalligi | Kite-Flying)
  Another popular Seollal activity is yeonnalligi, or kite-flying. Traditionally, flying a kite during Seollal symbolizes letting go of past misfortunes and inviting good luck into the new year. Families and friends gather in open fields to fly colorful kites, filling the sky with vibrant hues and cheerful energy. It’s a fun and playful way to celebrate the new year’s arrival.

 

• 윷놀이 (Yunnori)
  Yunnori is a traditional New Year’s game enjoyed by people of all ages as part of village festivals in the first lunar month. While it is played for fun, Yutnori also carries the hopes of a bountiful harvest in Korea’s agrarian society. The game board symbolizes farmland, and the game pieces represent the seasons.

 

Seollal New Year is all about celebrating the new year with family, traditional food, and games. Are you going to spend the new year of Seollal in Korea?

 

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