Celebrate the best of sustainable Korean food, culture and tourism at Encounter Real Korea, at Nathan Phillips Square! This year, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) proudly partners with the 39th VegTO Fest to bring a thrilling Korean experience right to the heart of downtown Toronto. With four dedicated booth zones and a green zone, the Encounter Korea Pavilion features fun and exciting activities for the whole family, such as vegan kimchi making, K-pop dance classes and even Taekwondo lessons!
Discover the vibrant world of Korea at North America’s largest vegan festival! As you savour the available plant-based delights, make sure to stop by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) booths to indulge in authentic Korean vegan dishes and learn about Korea’s exciting vegan-friendly travel options.
Best of all, Encounter Real Korea is completely FREE — no tickets required!
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore Korea’s culture, food, and tourism at its finest.
There’s So Much to Do at the Encounter Korea Pavilion!
Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or just curious about Korean vegan cuisine, the Encounter Real Korea event hosted by KTO Canada has something for everyone — visitors of ALL AGES are welcome!
From K-pop dance classes, Taekwondo lessons, and vegan kimchi making to discovering K-pop idol makeup tips and learning about the wonders of Korean travel, there’s endless fun and activities for the whole family.
The Encounter Korea Pavilion is a dynamic experience with 18 booths and four distinct themes, including:
Travel Korea
- Travel Korea Info Centre: Explore travel destinations and tips from local representatives of regional tourism boards. At this booth, these tourism experts can guide you across Korea and provide you with the best recommendations, including special hidden gems.
- Stamp Tour: Fun for all ages! Collect stamps by visiting each booth and exploring different experiences. Return to the info booth for a special prize once your stamp card is full!
- Win Prizes, including Korean cosmetic products by Laneige and Innisfree, plus restaurant vouchers, key chains and more.
- Book Korea To Win: Play games and enter a raffle for the chance to win a FREE flight ticket to Korea!
Experience Korea
- K-Culture Booth: Dive into Korean culture by trying on a traditional Korean costume (hanbok) and snapping a photo in the photo zone.
- K-Beauty Booth: Experience the K-pop Idol point makeup experience, and get a unique temporary tattoo created with Korea’s cutting-edge technology, IMPRINTU!
- K-Experience: Join in cultural activities like Korean calligraphy, and create your own traditional hand fans or a Hahoetal mask. (하회탈-Hahoetal).
Taste Korea
- Korean Vegan Food Vendors: Visit the Bonjuk Canada booth to sample many delicious vegan options, including traditional Korean dishes, such as Juk (Korean porridge).
- Korean Vegan Foods and Desserts: Check out dishes like Tteokbbokki, Tteok, and more.
Enjoy Korea
- Korean Wave: Enjoy Korean cultural experiences, including K-pop music and K-Drama, traditional arts, and modern culture. Pose with life-size K-stars cardboard cutouts, find K-pop albums and merchandise, and watch the K-pop Dance Championship!
- Encounter Korea: Discover the many amazing facets of this country with a Vegan Kimchi/Bibimbap Workshop, K-pop dance lessons, and a Tote Bag Making Experience.
- Outdoor Activity Zone: Go on a virtual bike ride to find out about sustainable travel in Virtual Korea.
- Green Space: Get active with the K-Traditional Game & Squid Game Experience, Colour Your Korea on a giant colouring Wall and try the Taekwondo Experience.
Looking to Learn More about Visiting the Republic of Korea?
Encounter Real Korea is hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Canada, a government organization of the Republic of Korea, a country filled with endless adventures to explore, from cultural treasures and unique experiences to incredible cuisine. While Korea is world-famous for its K-pop and K-dramas, it’s also leading the way in the plant-based food movement, promoting veganism and boosting its plant-based food industry as awareness of its benefits continues to rise.
This is a unique opportunity for visitors to see, taste, and discover the joys of Korean culture.
Don’t miss out — find out more here!
Encounter Real Korea
When: September 21-22, 2024
Time: Saturday 11:00am-7:00pm, Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. West, Toronto
Email: ktofest@gmail.com
Website: www.encounterkorea.com
Embrace the wide range of cultural festivals in Toronto and the GTA here!
