Royal Elegance at the 2025 Spring K-Royal Culture Festival: The Emperor’s Dining Table

Step back into the opulence of Korea’s imperial past at the 2025 Spring K-Royal Culture Festival, hosted at the historically significant Jungmyeongjeon Hall of Deoksugung Palace. This year’s main event, titled “The Emperor’s Dining Table,” offers a rare and immersive journey into the royal diplomatic banquets of the Korean Empire era—featuring the first-ever gourmet talk show spotlighting royal cuisine and Emperor Gojong’s legacy of diplomacy.

The event's program was split into two parts so that the tasting of the food could be appreciated in the historical context of the late Joseon.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Official Photographer - Lee Jeong Woo

Part 1: Exhibition at Jungmyeongjeon’s First Floor

The experience begins with a rich historical exhibition that introduces visitors to the political and cultural backdrop of the Korean Empire. The first floor of Jungmyeongjeon Hall—where the infamous Eulsa Treaty was signed—serves as the perfect setting to explore the dawn of Korea’s modern diplomacy. Through permanent displays, we gained insight into the court life and global relationships that shaped the final years of Korea’s monarchy.

Part 2: Royal Cuisine Talk Show & Tasting Experience

Held in the auditorium on the second floor, the festival's highlight was an engaging talk show that brings to life the grandeur of a royal state banquet. Centered around Emperor Gojong’s legendary 1905 dinner with American diplomat Alice Roosevelt, the program blended culinary arts with storytelling. We not only learned about the historical significance of the dishes but also got to taste them—an extraordinary recreation of a 120-year-old royal feast.

Dishes from “The Emperor’s Dining Table”

• Hwaryangjeok: A luxurious skewered dish featuring beef chuck flap tail, pork leg, tripe, liver, sea cucumber, and vegetables—all seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce, and spices.

• Jeonbokcho: Tender abalone paired with beef, pine nuts, and honey for a sweet-savory profile.

• Jeonyueo: Delicately pan-fried mullet coated in egg and flour.

• Pyeonyuk: Sliced, pressed brisket and flank—classic royal cold cuts.

• Jang Kimchi: A unique fermented blend including duck, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and honey—bold, aromatic, and complex.

• Goldongmyeon: Buckwheat noodles mixed with beef tenderloin and richly flavored sauces.

• Wonsopyeong: A traditional dessert of glutinous rice cakes filled with sweet jujube paste.

  
  

This event was not just about food—it was a sensory passage into a time when diplomacy, tradition, and taste intertwined at the highest levels of society. Whether you're a history enthusiast, food lover, or cultural explorer, “The Emperor’s Dining Table” offers an unforgettable encounter with Korea’s royal heritage at an irresistible price. I wholeheartedly recommend it!