BUS, SUBWAY, WALK

If you’re in Korea and looking for something totally fun and different, let me tell you about Cookin’ Nanta. It’s this amazing non-verbal performance that takes place in Seoul (and sometimes tours), and it’s one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever seen. The Hongdae Nanta Theater is conveniently located smack middle of Hongdae and is only a short walk from the Hongik University station. The whole show is set in a kitchen where a group of chefs is preparing a wedding banquet under ridiculous time pressure. What starts as a cooking routine quickly turns into pure chaos—but in the best way possible. The performers use everything in the kitchen—knives, cutting boards, pots, pans—you name it—to create these insane rhythms that are so catchy you’ll want to drum along. What makes Nanta so special is that it’s completely non-verbal. There’s no dialogue, just facial expressions, physical comedy, and a lot of hilarious chaos. It’s super easy to follow, even if you don’t speak Korean. The comedy is universal, and honestly, the performers are so expressive that you feel like you know exactly what they’re saying anyway. Another fun part? They pull people from the audience to join the performance! If you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how shy you are), you might end up on stage helping the chefs. It’s such a fun way to make the audience feel like part of the show. The beats, the laughs, the energy—it’s all so infectious. By the end, everyone is clapping along, and you can feel how much fun the performers are having too. It’s such a unique mix of traditional Korean percussion (samulnori) and modern theater that I think everyone should see it at least once. So, if you’re looking for a night out that’s totally different and 100% entertaining, go see Cookin’ Nanta! You’ll leave with a big smile and probably a newfound appreciation for kitchen utensils.