At a glance
| Dates | 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026Happening now · First festival under this name. Host Miryang City, organized by the Miryang Culture & Tourism Foundation; inquiries 055-359-4582. The ministry listing warns that the schedule may change. KTO's Korean overview speaks of 'special summer memories' although the dates are in autumn. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11:00–21:00 on both days (KTO and ministry listings) |
| Admission | Free entry (KTO and ministry listings). Food is paid; 2026 prices had not been published as of 19 October 2026.Festival admission: Free |
| Venue | Miryang River riverside, Samun-dong경상남도 밀양시 삼문동 1-1 밀양강변 일원 |
| Nearest station | Miryang Station (밀양역), Korail Gyeongbu Line (KTX, ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum, Mugunghwa)Not practical on foot: about 3 km, roughly 10 minutes by taxi to the Samun-dong riverside |
| From Seoul | about 2 h 30 min · KTX + TaxiLeave from Seoul Station · One-way fare from ₩43,900 · Back to Seoul the same nightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Miryang City (run by the Miryang Culture & Tourism Foundation)밀양시 (주관: (재)밀양문화관광재단) |
| Usual timing | No pattern yet: the first festival under this name is Saturday 31 October–Sunday 1 November 2026. Before that, a spicy-food zone called Hot Miryang Food Festa ran inside the city's summer Miryang Super Festival on 8–10 August 2025. Browse October / November festivals. |
| First held | 2026 |
| Last checked | 29 October 2026Checked against 25 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Miryang, on the Gyeongbu railway between Daegu and Busan, has started selling itself on heat. Samyang Foods makes Buldak fire noodles for export at two plants in the city (the second, a Buldak-only export plant, opened in June 2025), and the farming township of Muan grows the Matnahyang chili pepper, which has had its own festival since 2004 (the 22nd was in April 2026). The Miryang Spicy Food Festival puts the two together in a free weekend on the Miryang River banks in Samun-dong, next to Samun Waterfront Park and across the water from Yeongnamnu Pavilion. The first edition runs Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026, 11:00–21:00 on both days. Food is split into a Spicy Zone, a Relax Zone and a Chef's Table. The participation side is a string of heat challenges: sign a spicy challenge pledge, find out where your limit is, try the One Chip Challenge, 'fill the Scoville scale', earn a certificate from the 'Miryang Spicy Hunters' Association', collect stamps on a spicy stamp tour and post a 'Gyeoter Park' photo (Korean slang for sweat-soaked armpits) on social media. A brand experience zone brings in Korean food companies, Samyang among them, and performances continue into the evening. The idea grew out of Hot Miryang Food Festa, a food zone of spicy dishes from local shops, a Buldak noodle pavilion and a Buldak eating contest inside the first Miryang Super Festival, the city's summer water festival, on 8–10 August 2025; the 2026 Super Festival was scheduled separately for 7–9 August with a beer-and-food zone, and the spicy theme now has its own autumn weekend. Honest caveats: this is a new two-day event with no visitor record; by 19 October 2026 the organizer had published no stage timetable, food prices, shuttle or parking plan; information is in Korean only; and the challenges are meant to be painful, so pace yourself. Miryang is an easy add-on to a Busan stay: trains take about 36–51 minutes.
Highlights
- Free entry, 11:00–21:00 on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026, on the Miryang River riverside in Samun-dong
- Spicy Zone, Relax Zone and Chef's Table food areas built on Miryang's two heat brands: Buldak noodles and Muan Matnahyang chili peppers
- Heat challenges: a spicy challenge pledge, 'What is my spice limit?', the One Chip Challenge and 'Fill the Scoville scale'
- A 'Miryang Spicy Hunters' Association' certificate, a spicy stamp tour and a 'Gyeoter Park' (sweaty armpit) social-media photo mission
- Brand experience zone with Korean food companies, including Samyang Foods, which makes Buldak noodles in Miryang
- Performances into the evening, with Yeongnamnu, one of the three great pavilions of the Joseon era, across the river
Who it suits. Best for chili lovers and K-food fans, especially Buldak noodle fans, and for travelers staying in Busan who want an easy autumn day trip that also takes in Yeongnamnu Pavilion. Less suited to anyone who avoids spicy food, to families who need mild menus for small children (menus had not been published), or to travelers who need programs in English.
Getting there
From Seoul
KTX from Seoul Station to Miryang Station takes about 2 h 20 m (2 h 17 m–2 h 40 m; ₩43,500–43,900 standard class; more than 30 trains a day counting slower ones). ITX-Saemaeul and ITX-Maeum take about 4 h 06 m–4 h 34 m (₩36,800) and Mugunghwa about 4 h 55 m–5 h 21 m (₩24,700). The festival grounds in Samun-dong are about 3 km from the station: about 10 minutes by taxi (a travel blog gives 2.9 km, about 9 minutes by car, from the station to Yeongnamnu, across the river from the grounds).
From Busan
Trains run from Busan Station to Miryang about 30 times a day: KTX about 43–44 minutes (₩7,500), ITX-Saemaeul about 36–42 minutes (₩5,800) and Mugunghwa about 48–51 minutes (₩3,900). From Miryang Station, about 10 minutes by taxi to the riverside.
From Incheon Airport
Take AREX to Seoul Station, then the KTX to Miryang (about 2 h 20 m) and a taxi as above.
Last leg from Miryang Station
Korail Gyeongbu Line (KTX, ITX-Saemaeul, ITX-Maeum, Mugunghwa). Not practical on foot: about 3 km, roughly 10 minutes by taxi to the Samun-dong riverside
Festival shuttle
No festival shuttle had been published as of 28 October 2026 (the city's 26 October announcement of the programme mentions none).
Getting home
The festival closes at 21:00, and Miryang Station is about 10 minutes away by taxi. Train times for the festival days were not checked: 31 October runs on the October timetable and 1 November on the new KTX timetable that starts that day, so check the last train back to Seoul (or Suseo, which has only a few KTX-Sancheon trains a day) in the Korail app (코레일+) or at Miryang Station before the festival day, and book the return in advance.
Parking
No festival parking plan had been published as of 28 October 2026 (the city's 26 October announcement mentions none). Across the river, the public car park in front of Yeongnamnu charges ₩500 per 30 minutes, up to ₩5,000 a day (KTO listing).
How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English
Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.
Before you go
1330 · Travel hotline
The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.
112 / 119 · Emergencies
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.
T-money card
Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.
Maps
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.
Trains and buses
Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.
Checked 18 October 2026.
Tickets, prices and practical details
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Festival admission | Free | Free (KTO and ministry listings) |
| Food in the Spicy Zone, Relax Zone and Chef's Table | — | Prices not published as of 19 October 2026 |
- Booking
- No booking is needed for entry. Whether the Chef's Table or the challenges need advance sign-up had not been published as of 19 October 2026; the festival site is 밀양매운맛축제.kr.
- English on site
- No English-language information from the organizer was found; the KTO and ministry listings are in Korean.
- Best time to go
- Arrive around opening (11:00) for the food zones and challenges before queues build; the performances continue into the evening until the 21:00 close.
- What to bring
- Milk or a yoghurt drink and tissues for the challenges, and a warm layer: the riverside is open and early-November evenings are cool.
2026 program
- FoodSpicy Zone, Relax Zone and Chef's Table, built around Buldak noodles and Muan Matnahyang chili peppers
- Heat challengesspicy challenge pledge, 'Challenge! What is my spice limit?', 'Challenge! One Chip Challenge' and 'Challenge! Fill the Scoville scale'
- Miryang Spicy Hunters' Association certification, spicy stamp tour and the 'Gyeoter Park' social-media photo mission
- Brand experience zone with Korean food companies and brands, including Samyang Ramen
- Events and stage performances on both days, including evening performances
First festival under this name. Host Miryang City, organized by the Miryang Culture & Tourism Foundation; inquiries 055-359-4582. The ministry listing warns that the schedule may change. KTO's Korean overview speaks of 'special summer memories' although the dates are in autumn.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not announced. 2026 is the first festival under this name, so there is no pattern to project from, and the city had not said by 19 October 2026 whether it will return in 2027. | tba | Check Miryang City, the Miryang Culture & Tourism Foundation and the festival site (밀양매운맛축제.kr) after the 2026 edition. |
| 2026 | 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026 | confirmed | Miryang River riverside at 1-1 Samun-dong, beside Samun Waterfront Park. The same riverside hosts the Miryang Super Festival in August and part of the Miryang Arirang Festival in May. |
Before or after the festival
Places you can fit in before or after the festival without missing the shuttle or the last train or bus back.
A two-storey Joseon pavilion on a cliff above the Miryang River, rebuilt in 1884 and a National Treasure since 2023: one of Korea's three great pavilions with Jinju's Chokseongnu and Pyongyang's Pubyeongnu, where you sit on the wooden floor over the river. It is open 09:00–18:00 daily and free, so go before the evening performances; Cheonjingung and the Arang shrine are in the same precinct. Tip: the classic photo of it is from the Samun-dong bank, where the festival is.
Getting there: Across the river from the grounds, about 220 m in a straight line; walk over the nearest road bridge (check the route in Kakao Map), free
- Seolbong Dwaeji Gukbap (main branch) (설봉돼지국밥 본점)Before or after
A pork-and-rice-soup restaurant in a converted tile-roofed house, serving the dish Miryang is known for: pork bones and meat simmered for 24 hours, plus boiled-pork sets wrapped in seaweed. On weekends it opens 10:00–21:30 with a break 15:00–17:00 (last order 21:00), so come for lunch before the afternoon challenges or for dinner from 17:00; it closes on the first and third Wednesdays, not on festival days. Tip: it can close early when the soup sells out.
Getting there: In Naei-dong across the river, about 950 m in a straight line (680 m from Yeongnamnu); a short taxi ride, or walk on from Yeongnamnu
Questions travelers ask
When is the Miryang Spicy Food Festival 2026?
Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026, 11:00–21:00 on both days, on the Miryang River riverside in Samun-dong, Miryang.
Is the Miryang Spicy Food Festival free?
Yes, entry is free. You pay for food at the Spicy Zone, Relax Zone and Chef's Table; prices had not been published as of 19 October 2026.
Is this the first year?
Yes, 2026 is the first festival under this name. In August 2025 a spicy-food zone called Hot Miryang Food Festa, with a Buldak noodle pavilion and eating contest, ran inside the Miryang Super Festival water festival (8–10 August 2025).
Why is Miryang holding a spicy food festival?
Samyang Foods makes Buldak noodles for export at two plants in Miryang (the second opened in June 2025), and Muan in Miryang grows the Matnahyang chili pepper, which has had its own festival since 2004.
What challenges are there?
A spicy challenge pledge, 'What is my spice limit?', the One Chip Challenge, 'Fill the Scoville scale', a Miryang Spicy Hunters' Association certificate, a spicy stamp tour and a social-media photo mission.
How do I get there from Seoul?
KTX from Seoul Station to Miryang Station (about 2 h 20 m, ₩43,500–43,900 standard class), then about 10 minutes by taxi. The festival runs until 21:00; a new KTX timetable starts on 1 November 2026, so check the last train back in the Korail app (코레일+) before the festival day.
Can I go from Busan?
Yes. Trains from Busan Station to Miryang take about 36–51 minutes and cost ₩3,900 (Mugunghwa) to ₩7,500 (KTX), about 30 a day.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
29 October 2026, against the sources listed below.
This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2026 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.
- KTO TourAPI listing 밀양 매운맛 축제 (contentId 4116358)kto — 31 Oct–1 Nov 2026, 11:00–21:00, free, 밀양강변 일원 at 삼문동 1-1, coordinates 35.489859/128.757295, organizer Miryang City, 055-359-4582, homepage 밀양매운맛축제.kr; overview: Buldak and Muan Matnahyang chili, Chef's Table, Spicy and Relax zones, challenges, Spicy Hunters' Association, Gyeoter Park SNS mission, Samyang brand zone, 'summer memories'; modified 13 Oct 2026
- ktriptips (KTO data mirror) — 밀양 매운맛 축제 (contentId 4116358)kto — Host Miryang City, organizer (재)밀양문화관광재단, 055-359-4582; full program list including One Chip Challenge, 'What is my spice limit?' and spicy stamp tour; nearby: Samun Waterfront Park 18 m, Mubongsa 218 m, Miryang Arirang Festival 19 m, Seolbong Dwaeji Gukbap main branch 954 m
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — 지역축제: 밀양 매운맛 축제ministry — 31 Oct (Sat)–1 Nov (Sun) 2026, 11:00–21:00, free, Miryang riverside, host Miryang City, inquiries Miryang Culture & Tourism Foundation 055-359-4582; program; note that the schedule may change
- popga (event listing) — 밀양 매운맛 축제other — 31 Oct–1 Nov 2026 (Sat–Sun, 2 days), 11:00–21:00, free, 삼문동 1-1; Samyang Foods among the brand-zone participants; evening performances
- Food Today 2025-08-06 — 밀양시, '핫 밀양 푸드 페스타' 개최news — Hot Miryang Food Festa 8–10 Aug 2025 on the Samun-dong riverside, run by the Miryang Culture & Tourism Foundation as a DMO project; Hot Miryang brand built on Buldak noodles, Muan Matnahyang chili and pork gukbap; Samyang Buldak noodle pavilion; Buldak eating contest and stamp tour; part of the Miryang Super Festival
- Kukinews 2025-07-30 — 여름을 통째로 즐겨라! 밀양 水수퍼 페스티벌 3일간의 축제news — First Miryang Super Festival, 8–10 Aug 2025, Samun-dong riverside; Hot Miryang Food Festa spicy menus from five local shops as one of its programs
- Kukinews 2026-07-02 — '2026 밀양 수퍼 페스티벌' 8월 개막news — 2026 Miryang Super Festival 7–9 Aug 2026 on the Samun-dong Miryang riverside; 18 programs; beer-and-food zone (수퍼마켓)
- Kukinews 2026-04-21 — '제22회 밀양무안맛나향 고추 축제' 개최news — 22nd Muan Matnahyang chili festival on 25 Apr 2026 at the Muan-myeon public stadium; first held in 2004
- Kukinews 2026-03-17 — 밀양시, '밀양아리랑대축제' 준비 본격화…5월 7일 개막news — 68th Miryang Arirang Festival 7–10 May 2026 at Yeongnamnu and the Miryang riverside
- Money Today 2025-06-11 — 수출 1조 불닭의 심장 가보니 (Samyang Miryang Plant 2)news — Samyang Foods' Miryang Plant 2, a Buldak-only export plant, completed 11 Jun 2025; Plants 1 and 2 together to make about 1.5 billion Buldak products a year, about 50% of export volume
- Seoul Station → Miryang train timetable, 17–21 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-17)other — 33–38 trains a day; first KTX-Sancheon 201 05:03 (arr 07:22); KTX 2 h 17 m–2 h 35 m, ₩43,900 (KTX-Sancheon) or ₩43,500 (KTX) standard class; ITX-Saemaeul/ITX-Maeum 4 h 06 m–4 h 34 m, ₩36,800; Mugunghwa 4 h 55 m–5 h 21 m, ₩24,700
- Miryang → Seoul Station train timetable, 18–23 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — Sun 18 Oct and Fri 23 Oct: 37–38 trains, last 21:07 KTX-Sancheon 238 (arr 23:33); Mon 19–Thu 22 Oct: 33 trains, last KTX 20:18 KTX-Sancheon 224 (arr 22:47); 20:01 ITX-Saemaeul 1024 (arr 00:02); KTX journeys 2 h 18 m–2 h 40 m; ₩43,900 KTX, ₩36,800 ITX, ₩24,700 Mugunghwa; no Saturday table shown
- Miryang → Suseo train timetable, 18–24 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-18)other — Four KTX-Sancheon trains a day: 07:54, 08:15, 12:47 and 17:49 (arr 20:26); 2 h 22 m–2 h 37 m; ₩42,500 standard class
- Busan → Miryang train timetable, 15–21 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-15)other — 29–31 trains a day, first 05:02, last 22:50; KTX about 43–44 min (₩7,500), ITX-Saemaeul about 36–42 min (₩5,800), Mugunghwa about 48–51 min (₩3,900)
- Daum cafe travel post — 부산 근교 밀양 당일치기 여행 (written May 2026)blog — Miryang Station to Yeongnamnu 2.9 km, about 9 minutes by car; Yeongnamnu paid car park ₩500 per 30 minutes; view Yeongnamnu from the riverside park opposite; Miryang Dwaeji Gukbap at Bukseong-ro 28, ₩10,000, 10:00–21:00, closed Mondays, 2.4 km / 5 minutes by car from Yeongnamnu, can sell out
- ieconomyu — 밀양 가볼만한곳 BEST 6 (spring 2026)blog — Yeongnamnu at 중앙로 324, National Treasure, one of the three great Joseon pavilions with Chokseongnu and Pubyeongnu
- Korail — 열차운임/시간표 (official timetable and fare downloads)official — Index of current Korail timetables, including KTX timetable editions of 15 May 2026 and 1 Nov 2026
- Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로…안전 최우선, 더 편리한 고속철도의 시작 (31 Aug 2026)official — Integration and integrated running from 1 Sep 2026; KTX and SRT merged into KTX; average KTX fare cut about 10%; Suseo-axis seats up about 30%; 5% mileage; Korail+ app (Korail Talk + SRT app) launched 3 Aug
- Hankyung: 9월 1일부터 서울~부산 KTX 5만4400원…운임 평균 10% 인하 (31 Aug 2026)news — KTX and SRT run as KTX from 1 Sep; former SRT trainsets renamed KTX-Sancheon; Seoul–Busan ₩59,800→₩54,400, Yongsan–Gwangju Songjeong ₩46,800→₩42,000; Suseo seats +30%; booking unified in Korail+
- ktriptips (KTO data mirror) — 밀양 영남루 (contentId 126206)kto — Yeongnamnu at 중앙로 324 (내일동): National Treasure, one of the three great pavilions; rebuilt 1884; open 09:00–18:00, no closing days, free; car park ₩500 per 30 minutes, up to ₩5,000 a day; Cheonjingung and Arang shrine 40 m; Seolbong Dwaeji Gukbap 680 m; homepage miryang.go.kr/tur
- ktriptips (KTO data mirror) — 설봉돼지국밥 본점 (contentId 2792692)kto — Seolbong Dwaeji Gukbap main branch, 노상하3길 9 (내이동): 10:00–21:30, break 15:00–17:00 (none on weekdays), last order 21:00, may close early when sold out; closed 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, Seollal and Chuseok; broth simmered 24 hours; suyuk sets wrapped in seaweed; converted tile-roofed house
- Aju News 2023-12-27 — 경남도, '밀양 영남루'ㆍ'창녕 관룡산 관룡사 일원' 국보ㆍ명승으로 지정news — Yeongnamnu designated a National Treasure in December 2023 (headline; article not opened)
- The CEN News 2026-10-26 — 밀양시, 31일부터 '2026 밀양 매운맛 축제' 개최…전국 맛집 집결news — City announcement of 26 Oct 2026: festival 31 Oct–1 Nov on the Samun-dong riverside; Spicy Zone of 20 booths, Relax Zone, challenges, Chef's Table, stages; no hours, fees, shuttle or parking given
- Sisa Journal 2026-10-26 — [밀양 24시] '2026 밀양 매운맛 축제' 개최...전국 매운맛 한자리에news — Same announcement: first edition from 31 Oct on the Samun-dong riverside; no hours, fees, shuttle or parking given
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — 지역축제: 밀양 매운맛 축제 (recheck)ministry — Rechecked 29 Oct 2026: still 31 Oct–1 Nov 2026, 11:00–21:00, free, Miryang riverside; no programme times, shuttle, parking or transport information; no change or cancellation notice
What we could not confirm
- The official festival site (밀양매운맛축제.kr) was not returned by any search and was not opened; stage timetable, performers, Chef's Table details and any sign-up rules come only from the KTO and ministry listings.
- Food and challenge prices, whether the One Chip Challenge or Chef's Table needs advance sign-up, and whether stalls take foreign cards were not published as of 19 October 2026.
- No shuttle, parking or traffic plan had been published as of 28 October 2026 (the city's 26 October release, carried by The CEN News and Sisa Journal, gives none); no visitor forecast exists for a first edition.
- Whether the festival will return in 2027 has not been announced.
- Taxi time from Miryang Station to the Samun-dong grounds is estimated from a blog's 2.9 km / 9-minute figure to Yeongnamnu; local bus routes were not checked.
- Japanese and Chinese names were not found on a KTO or official page.
- KTO's overview mentions 'summer memories' although the dates are in autumn; whether the event was first planned for summer was not confirmed.
- Restrooms, accessibility, rain policy and pet rules were not published.
- Last train back on the festival dates (31 Oct on the October timetable, 1 Nov on the new KTX timetable) from Miryang to Seoul Station, Suseo and Busan, under the timetable in force that day.
- Walking route and time from the Samun-dong grounds to Yeongnamnu and to Seolbong Dwaeji Gukbap were not checked (only straight-line distances from KTO listings).
Changes: 2026-10-19 — Added to the site: fact-first record (dates, hours, prices, getting there, sources). · 2026-10-19 — Added a Wikimedia Commons photograph of the Miryang River riverwalk (Visviva, Public domain). · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed train clock times taken from a third-party timetable mirror (October timetable; a new KTX timetable starts on 1 November, the festival's second day); kept journey times, fares and frequencies and added a reminder to check the last train in the Korail app. · 2026-10-28 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit); transport: no train or bus clock times in the text to check; shuttle and parking still unpublished in the city's 26 Oct release; last trains on 31 Oct/1 Nov still unverified, Korail+ check kept; prices: unchanged (entry free, food prices not published) · 2026-10-29 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: no changes found (ministry listing still 31 Oct–1 Nov, 11:00–21:00, free; no shuttle, parking or traffic plan published).
