How South Koreans celebrate Lunar New Year's first full moon
By Yoo Na-hyunPosted : February 27, 2026, 17:00Updated : February 27, 2026, 17:02
Grains are displayed at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on Feb. 27. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - Markets are bustling with shoppers as the first full moon of the lunar year, known as Daeboreum, approaches.
As Daeboreum, a day when people traditionally pray for health and a good harvest falls next Tuesday, Gyeongdong Market, one of the largest farmers' markets in Seoul, was packed with shoppers on Friday.
Stores and stalls there were selling a variety of nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, and ginkgo nuts, tempting shoppers.
In an age-old tradition, South Koreans eat nuts on this festive day, as cracking and eating hard-shelled nuts is believed to strengthen teeth.
People also enjoy "ogokbap," a bowl of five grains with an assortment of seasoned vegetables, to get the healthy nutrition their body needs in winter. They also believe that eating them helps the body endure the hot summer months.
Various nuts are displayed at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on Feb. 27. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Various nuts are displayed at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on Feb. 27. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Various nuts are displayed at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on Feb. 27. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Shoppers look at various vegetables at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on Feb. 27. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Various vegetables are displayed at Gyeongdong Market in Seoul on Feb. 27. 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun