Eat it where it's made: ramyun in Gumi, apples in Cheongsong, yuja in Goheung

6–8 November. Gumi is where Nongshim makes its instant noodles, and the streets outside the station become one long ramyun street: buy packs fried that morning at the factory and work through inventive dishes from chefs and local restaurants, in half portions so you can try more.

The festival is right outside Gumi Station, so take the train and walk out — and book your return in advance. Ordering is mostly by QR code or kiosk; if a foreign card fails, use a kiosk or the cash desk. Friday afternoon was the easiest time.

4–8 November. Cheongsong, deep in the mountains of North Gyeongsang, grows some of Korea's most prized apples: taste at stall after stall along the riverside market, and stay for fireworks every night. Writers found it cheap and free of tourist mark-ups.

Cheongsong has no train station — take an intercity bus from Dong Seoul or Daegu. Bring small notes for the ₩1,000 games and a proper coat for the evening, which gets very cold. Pair it with the autumn colours of Juwangsan National Park for a full day.

12–15 November. Goheung grows most of Korea's yuja (yuzu), and the festival is held right in the orchards while the fruit is ripe: walk between the trees, pick your own, make yuja syrup and eat yuja-flavoured everything. It is the warm south coast, so November is mild.

It is a long way from any big city and most people drive. By public transport, go to Goheung bus terminal and take the festival bus — one visitor found the signs confusing, so ask staff. The car parks filled even on weekday mornings.