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Chungcheongbuk-do Province is a landlocked region located at the very center of the Korean Peninsula. It borders Gyeongsangbuk-do to the east, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do to the west, Gangwon-do to the north, and Jeollabuk-do to the south. The name “Chungcheong” comes from Chungju and Cheongju. In ancient times, the region was contested fiercely between the three kingdoms of Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla.
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The fact that most railways and road networks built after modernity pass through the Chungcheongnam-do Province ensures that the area’s nature is well-preserved. The region is also notable for its lakes, which translate to freshwater fish for gourmands. Each region has a specific local specialty, such as rice, jujube, chili pepper, napa cabbage, corn, grape, and apple. Jecheon is famous for its medicinal herbs, while Chungju is a prolific producer of apples. Yeongdong is famous for grapes, Boeun for jujube, and Jeungpyeong for ginseng. Eumseong and Goesan have many chili pepper farms, while Danyang dedicates considerable effort to garlic farming.
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The region is also rich in things to see, from the Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa to National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Cheongju, which is housed in a remodeled tobacco plant; Chojeong Haenggung, a place where kings of Joseon would go to convalesce; Goesan’s valleys, popular in the summertime; and Jungangtap Pagoda and Uirimji Reservoir, which speak to the history of the Three Kingdoms period. Songnisan Mountain, which houses the thousand-year-old Buddhist temple, Beopjusa Temple, and Woraksan National Park are not to be missed as well.
Chungju is a major producer of apples. Apples were first planted there near Yongunsa Temple in Jihyeondong in 1907. Chungju apples are recognized as the best in terms of flavor, aroma, size, and shape, thanks to the weather, which is characterized by a large amount of sunshine and significant temperature variance. In Chungju, you can find traditional Korean confectionery made with apples.
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APPLE JEONGGWA
Jeonggwa is made by drying apples until chewy, preserving them in malt syrup, and tossing them in sweet rice puffs. It is known for its luxurious texture, as well as its intense apple flavor and fragrance. They can be chopped into smaller pieces and mixed into yogurt or be used as salad toppings.
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APPLE HANGWA
These hangwa (traditional Korean sweets) integrate apple preserves into their production. Take a bite and enjoy the crunch and the gentle scent of apples. The rice dough is deep-fried in oil at 170℃, covered with apple preserves, and rolled in sweet rice puffs.
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CHUNGJU APPLE BREAD
If you find yourself passing through Chungju on the way to your destination, make sure to stop by and get this bread. Chungju Apple Bread is a manju-like bread made with castella dough, made from rice and studded with jewel-like grains of apple pulp. It is not too sweet, so you can empty a pack in no time.
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Boeun is located on a basin in a valley on the southwestern side of Songnisan Mountain. Because of climate and soil conditions in the region, Boeun’s jujube cultivars have excellent flavors. Joeunga is the first company in Korea to specialize in jujube desserts, which are made using the company's signature jujube paste.
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JOEUNGA JUJUBE BREAD WITH SWEET RED BEAN FILLING
This bun is filled with sweet red bean paste and the deep flavor of jujube. Its taste is simply one-of-a-kind. The bun itself is fluffy and soft and goes very well with a cup of jujube tea.
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JOEUNGA JUJUBE AND WALNUT PIE
This walnut pie, crispy on the outside and moist inside, is also filled with jujube. As such, it delivers a denser, more luxurious flavor than standard walnut pie. The packaging is not very large, so it can easily fit into your luggage.
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Yeongdong is Korea’s largest grape producer. The recent rise of wineries in the region has piqued the interest of wine fans. Numerous wineries are hidden throughout the area, which produce wines with unique charms. If you want to try different wines in a single place, head to the Yeongdong Wine Tunnel.
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Yeopo’s Dream White
This light white wine is made with Muscat of Alexandria, a white grape. It has a gentle sweetness and fiercely blooming fruit notes. It's a tried-and-true product that pairs well with seafood.
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Château MiSo Campbell Sweet Rosé
Château MiSo is a winery located in one of the deepest mountains in Yeongdong-gun. This sweet and beautiful wine is made using traditional winemaking methods and is aged for a long time to give it a robust flavor, with a rich fragrance of apricot and peach.
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A cider is a liquor made by fermenting apple juice. “Dancing Cider Company,” located in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, is a company formed by young entrepreneurs who studied in American universities. They came down to Chungju for its apples and invited a cider maker from abroad to learn from the masters.
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APPLE SANGRIA
This sangria is made of apple cider, grapes, lime, and orange. It goes well with oily foods like cheese, steak, and meatballs. The bottle, which has a flamboyant red design, can be used as interior decoration.
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YOSE ROSE
This is a fruity rosé apple cider. Its flavor profile weaves together apples, omija, and raspberries, building up to a clean finish. It has greater acidity than standard apple cider. Chill the bottle before consuming to enhance the flavor. It goes well with fruits and salads.
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Bells create sounds that wake up one’s soul. The Korean Buddhist bell, globally recognized as the "Korean Bell," is celebrated for its intricate detailing and resonant sound. Its artistic and cultural significance is highlighted in the Jincheon Bell Museum. Opened in 2005, the museum is dedicated to promoting the artistic values and excellence of the Korean Bell through research, collection, exhibition, preservation, and various educational activities.
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EMILE WIND CHIME
This is a miniature version of the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok (also known as Emile Bell), National Treasure No. 29 of Korea. The miniature version recreates the details like engravings of flying deities faithfully. The bell is made of bronze, giving it a clear and beautiful sound. Hang the chime by the window and enjoy the beautiful sounds that accompany the breeze.
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EASTERN ZODIAC YORYEONG (BRASS ROUND BELL)
This yoryeong (brass round bell) is inspired by the Eastern Zodiac. Yoryeong is an instrument used for Buddhist rites. Because it stands upright, it can be used as an interior ornament. The design differs by each zodiac sign, but all share that weighty feel in your hand.
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Waxy corn produced in Goesan is known for its thin skin, chewy texture, and sweetness. It contains folic acid, iron, and Vitamin B, making it a popular nutritious summer snack. The most famous corn-based dessert in Goesan is corn castella. Goesan’s most famous castella shop, All About Castella, makes castella cakes with 100% Korean wheat and free-range eggs, which are then baked in a cypress wood mold.
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Goesan Waxy Corn Castella
This round castella cake is made into round muffin-like shapes. The expertise involved in making this cake ensures that moisture stays for a long time. What’s more, corn kernels studded in the cake bring blasts of delightful texture. It can also be enjoyed cool after chilling it in the refrigerator.
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Goesan’s Hwayanggugok Valley, where the famed literatus Song Si-yeol had stayed for some time, is said to be named after the Wuyi Mountain’s Nine-bend Stream in China. The trail that connects Gyeongcheonbyeok Cliff, the starting point of the valley, to Pacheon at the end is 3.1km long and has many beautiful sites and views.
Jincheon is a region famed for its rice, thanks to its climate and natural environment. Jincheon’s rice desserts are made with garu ssal (“powder rice”), a cultivar developed recently as a viable replacement for wheat flour. This creates rice desserts with a unique charm unlike those found among products made with wheat flour.
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MIJAM MIGWA BEAN-POWDER-COATED CREAM BUN
“Mijam Migwa” of Jincheon uses Palbangmi, a rice cultivar optimized for processing, to develop and supply nearly 130 types of rice products, like rice bread, rice cookies, and rice noodles. Its Beanpowder- coated Cream Bun is a rice bread bun covered with powdered soybeans and filled with bean-powder-coated rice cake, red bean paste, and whipped cream. The bread is sizable enough that two can share a bun.
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MIJAM MIGWA RICE COOKIE
This rice cookie set is perfect as a gift. The cookies retain the rice bran content for nutrition while being gluten-free. Other ingredients include powdered soybeans and purple sweet potatoes. The second floor of the restaurant gives you a view of the rice fields of the surrounding area, which you can enjoy with your beverage.
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Bank Creek Brewing, a brewery producing Jecheon’s famous SOLTI BEER, is located in Jangpyeong-ri, Bongyang-eup, Jecheonsi, Chungcheongbuk-do. The old name of the village, “Solti,” means “a hill with many pine trees.” SOLTI BEER is made according to Belgian methods. This imbues the beer with rich chocolate, fruit, and orange notes. Most Belgian beers are brewed twice. Because the fermentation process takes place over a long period of time, it takes each product 6 to 7 weeks to be completed. The value of SOLTI BEER was recognized when it was featured in the official banquet held to commemorate the state visit of the Belgian king in Cheongwadae, the presidential residence.
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BAERON TRIPEL
This is the backbone of SOLTI’s beer offerings. It has a light, smooth feel. Baeron Tripel is made according to the Trappist traditions as a strong blond ale characterized by a light golden color, malt notes, a creamy feel, and a gentle tartness.
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SOLTI 8
Double IPA is a brew that adds twice the amount of hops to the standard amount used for India Pale Ale (IPA), giving the brew a more astringent, complex flavor. It is said to have been created for the voyages that connected Europe with India in the past. It has a relatively high ABV of 8%, and it has a far more intense fragrance. SOLTI 8 goes perfectly with meat.
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Kkottongnae Bakery is a local business established by the Kkottongnae School, which was opened in 2001 to educate students with disabilities as a school enterprise to facilitate the students’ vocational training and independence. Equipped with HACCP facilities, the facility produces more than 60 types of confectionery and baked goods, and is staffed by teachers, students, graduates, and workers employed by the Kkottongnae (graduates of the school). “Kkotguum” was developed after discussions among its members as a brand that can help deliver solace, courage, and strength to those who are as beautiful as flowers. The flagship product of Kkotguum is preservative-free, emulsifier-free, and coloring-free cookies.
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CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
This chocolate cookie is studded with chocolate chips. Its flavor is robust and tart. Because it sticks close to the basics, the cookie stays crunchy for a long time. It can be enjoyed either with cold milk or coffee beverages with dairy, such as lattes.
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ALMOND AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
This product features a dough made with quality flour, butter, and sugar, which is then studded with almonds and chocolate chips. It has a better bite than other cookie products. Because the ingredients used are high in quality, these cookies have a clean aftertaste.
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Danyang is the most famous spot for paragliding in Korea. “Cafe Sann” is a bakery-café and cultural complex located at Dusan Gliding Site. Cafe Sann’s merch is made with paragliders that are too old to be used. They are made into a variety of products, from wallets to bags, pencil cases, umbrellas, and clothing. These items are even more meaningful considering their eco-friendly nature.
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CAFE SANN SACOCHE BAG
This bag has a minimalist yet unique design and a scratchy texture. It is light as a feather, so much so that you can wear it for a long time without tiring. It can be matched with street fashion or summer resort fashion. The materials used are quite durable, so the bag is ideal for outdoor activities.
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CAFE SANN WALLET
This light wallet is perfect for travelers. Every wallet is slightly different in its design, but all wallets feature bold colors. They can be bought with pencil cases as a set. Because of its zippers, it excels as a coin purse.
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Q Is there a reason why Cafe Sann’s products tend to be so colorful? That’s because our products are made using paraglider parts that have flown in the skies for 2 to 4 years. All paragliders use bright colors so that they can be found easily. Because the coloring differs according to the season, every single product that we offer is like a limited edition in itself.
Q How hard is it to keep these products in good shape? These products are made with double ripstop nylon, which are featherlight and very durable, so they are quite resistant toward tearing or fraying. For washing, hand-wash them with a neutral detergent. We recommend shaking the moisture loose and drying in shade.
