National Museum of Korea: Our Dining Table Special Exhibition Review 2026

The National Museum of Korea is so vast and filled with incredible artifacts that it's nearly impossible to see both the permanent and special exhibitions in a single day. You'd truly need at least 2-3 days to explore everything! On my recent visit, I focused solely on two special exhibitions.

As of September 2026, the 'Our Dining Table' special exhibition is running until October 25th. The 'Amazing Thailand' exhibition, which I also enjoyed, concluded on September 6th.

Yongsan National Museum of Korea Amazing Thailand Special Exhibition Reviewblog.naver.com

Our Dining Table

National Museum of Korea Special Exhibition Hall 2

Exhibition Period

07/01/2026 - 10/25/2026

Exhibits

Approximately 420 items, including a set of dishes excavated from King Muryeong's Tomb

Admission to 'Our Dining Table' is ~$4 for adults and ~$2 for youth and children. While the permanent exhibitions are free, special exhibitions like this one do require a ticket.

I purchased my ticket on-site, but you can also book online via Ticketlink or Naver.

*Operating Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 09:30 AM ~ 05:30 PM (Last admission 05:00 PM)

Wed, Sat 09:30 AM ~ 09:00 PM (Last admission 08:30 PM)

Closed on Lunar New Year (02/17) and Chuseok (09/25). Regular closures on 09/07 and 12/07.

If you'd like to join the official docent-led tour for 'Our Dining Table,' you can reserve a spot on the Ticketlink website. These tours are held once daily for one hour at 04:00 PM (excluding weekends, holidays, and museum closure days).

You can also enjoy an audio guide featuring actor Ryu Soo-young by scanning a QR code.

While 'Amazing Thailand' was fascinating, 'Our Dining Table' resonated with me on a deeper level. In Korea, 'bap' (rice or a meal) is not just food; it historically embodies profound traditions and life itself.

I was surprised by how many Korean expressions are related to 'bap.' Although we don't use all of them frequently today, they highlight its central role.

It was also intriguing to see how royal meals (Surasang) were prepared during the Joseon Dynasty. Imagine the immense dedication and effort required from royal chefs to create such elaborate spreads!

In today's fast-paced world, with rice consumption declining and many alternative foods available, it's becoming challenging to prepare traditional meals with rice, soup, and side dishes. Nevertheless, maintaining these older ways is still beneficial for longevity and health.

As a freelancer, I typically have a salad and nuts for breakfast, but I make sure to cook a proper rice-based meal for dinner.

"What does a dining table mean to me?"

It brings back fond childhood memories of my family gathered around a large dining table, sharing meals and moments.

The exhibition itself can be explored thoroughly in about an hour. If you wish to delve deeper and take your time, there are suggestions on how to do so, which you might find helpful.

Koreans have a deep-seated connection to 'bap,' so much so that common greetings include "Have you eaten?" or "Have you had your meal?"

Even when there's nothing specific to say, it's common to ask if someone has eaten or suggest "let's have a meal together sometime."

It was a truly meaningful experience to reflect deeply on the significance of rice and the dining table in Korean culture.

The National Museum of Korea has a main gift shop, but there's also a separate shop for special exhibition merchandise. The 'Our Dining Table' shop wasn't huge, but it had some tempting items that caught my eye.

They had plates, rice bowls, and soup bowls. As expected for museum merchandise, these were a bit pricier than regular dinnerware.

Some visitors were eagerly turning the lever to create commemorative coins.

There were also charming octagonal traditional liquor glasses and miniature dining tables.

They even had functional rice and soup bowl sets. I thought they would make a wonderful addition to any home that appreciates Korean cuisine or traditional aesthetics.

The 'Buttumak' (traditional Korean stove) incense set! How adorable and beautifully designed is that? I'm amazed by the creativity behind such an idea.

Both the main museum shop and the special exhibition merchandise store offer a fantastic array of items. I particularly enjoyed browsing the unique 'Our Dining Table' goods.

I hope this review of the National Museum of Korea's special exhibition, 'Our Dining Table,' inspires you. September and October are wonderful months for outdoor activities, so if you haven't visited the National Museum of Korea yet, I highly recommend you do!