Chuseok: A Korean Holiday Close to My Heart

The first time I attended a Chuseok dinner was in 1988, when I was stationed in Korea with the U.S. Army. I rented a little room in the village of Kwangamdong, just outside Camp Hovey. The family I rented from invited me and a couple of my friends who also rented rooms from them to join their holiday dinner.

We sat down to a fantastic traditional Korean meal with the family. My friends and I enjoyed the food, of course, but what has stayed with me all these years is the invitation itself. They welcomed us into a family celebration and gave us a chance to experience Chuseok in a way we never would have on our own.

That dinner was my introduction to one of Korea’s most important holidays.

What Is Chuseok?

Chuseok (추석) is Korea’s autumn harvest holiday, often described to Americans as Korean Thanksgiving. That comparison helps explain the emphasis on family, food, and gratitude, although Chuseok has its own history and traditions. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, so the date changes each year on our calendar. In 2026, the main day is Friday, September 25, with the holiday observed from September 24 through 26.

For many families, Chuseok is a time to travel home, gather with relatives, share food, and give thanks for the harvest. Some families honor their ancestors through charye, a memorial rite with food offerings, or visit family graves in a practice called seongmyo. Customs vary from family to family, but the opportunity to come together is central to the holiday.

And then there is the food. Chuseok tables may include songpyeon, the small half-moon-shaped rice cakes associated with the holiday, along with dishes such as jeon (savory pan-fried foods), japchae (glass noodles with vegetables), seasoned vegetables, fruit, and many other family favorites. A big holiday meal in Korea is something special.

Chuseok Through the Years

When I lived in Korea again in the 1990s, I had more opportunities to experience Chuseok. In later years, my wife, our daughter, and I have traveled back to visit my wife’s family during the holiday. I’ve been fortunate to spend several Chuseok holidays in Korea, and each one has added to my appreciation for the food, the traditions, and the time together.

We celebrate Chuseok here in America, too. My wife cooks Korean dishes, and we make the holiday part of our family life. We don’t have the same access to ingredients here, so our meals aren’t quite the enormous spreads we’ve enjoyed in Korea. They’re still delicious, and they still bring back memories.

I look forward to the next time we can spend Chuseok in Korea with family, gathered around one of those incredible holiday meals. Until then, I’m grateful for the first family who invited a young soldier and his friends to their table in 1988, and for the many Chuseok memories we’ve made since.

If Chuseok is new to you, I hope this gives you a glimpse of why it means so much to so many Korean families—and why it has become special to mine as well.

Happy Chuseok! 추석 잘 보내세요!

Alain Burrese