Korean pears · Photo: Bykim2012 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
KoreaUlsanUlsan Pears: Sea-Breeze Fruit From Ulju That Now Ships to America
Ulsan is known as an industrial city, but it is also pear country. Here is what makes Ulju pears grown in sea breeze and fog special, the main varieties such as Wonhwang and Singo and their seasons, the annual exports to the United States, how Koreans enjoy pears, and the Ulsan Pear Festival.
Industrial Ulsan's Other Face
Ulsan brings to mind car plants, shipyards and petrochemical complexes, but outside the city center, Ulju County has long been fruit country with wide pear orchards. Pears from the area are sold as "Ulsan pears" or "Ulju pears," and the Ulsan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative leads their production, sales and exports. The scale has changed over time. According to a 2012 article, Ulsan then had 1,141 hectares of pear orchards, but as pear growing expanded nationwide and prices fell, the city planned to convert some of them to other crops such as figs and kiwifruit. A 2015 article described the Seosaeng and Cheongnyang areas as the main growing district, with 258 hectares there as of 2014. Smaller than before, Ulsan pears remain one of the area's signature farm products.
Grown in Sea Wind and Sea Fog
The Seosaeng and Cheongnyang areas of Ulju, the heart of Ulsan pear growing, lie close to the East Sea and have a maritime climate with relatively cool summers and mild winters. Locals credit the sandy loam and decomposed granite soil, plentiful sun, cool sea breeze and sea fog for making the pears crisp and sweet, and Ulsan pears are reported to have done well in national fruit competitions. The weather does not always cooperate. In March 2025 a wildfire broke out around orchards in Onyang-eup, Ulju, and a cold snap hit just as the pear trees were blossoming. Ulju County reportedly flew drones in April to hand-pollinate the blossoms and supplied nutrients to reduce poor fruit set. Efforts are also under way to spread new varieties such as Seolwon that cope better with spring frost.
Wonhwang, Singo, Hwasan, Hwanggeum: Varieties and Seasons
Ulsan grows several pear varieties. First to be harvested is the early-ripening Wonhwang, described as larger and sweeter than ordinary pears, very juicy, with thin skin and firm flesh that tastes good and keeps well. In 2025 the first pears of the year were picked on August 13 at an orchard in Onyang-eup, Ulju. Other varieties include Hwasan, Hwanggeum and Singo, the best-known Korean pear variety. Because each variety ripens at a different time, new-season pears arrive one after another through autumn, starting with Wonhwang at the tail end of summer. Unlike European pears, Korean pears are round and large, with an apple-like crunch and cool, refreshing juice. Varieties that store well are sold through winter into the following year. If you travel to Ulsan between late summer and autumn, it is a great time to taste freshly picked pears.
Ulsan Pears Crossing the Pacific
Ulsan pears go abroad too. The Ulsan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative exports its first-harvest Wonhwang pears to the United States every year. In 2025 it said it planned to ship over 60 tons of Wonhwang, up from the previous year, and about 400 tons including other varieties, for revenue of around 1.7 billion won. In 2026 exports again began in mid-August with a 40-foot container carrying 13.6 tons, and reports said another 272 tons would follow by the end of the year. Demand comes not only from Korean Americans but also from local consumers, who reportedly rate the pears highly for sweetness, juiciness and flavor. Ulju County said it would support overseas promotions to open markets beyond the United States. If you spot "Korean pears" in a supermarket abroad, some of them may well have come from Ulsan.
How to Enjoy Korean Pears and the Ulsan Pear Festival
The basic way to eat a Korean pear is peeled, cut into large wedges and chilled. Each pear is big, so it is made for sharing, and at major holidays boxes of large, handsome pears are a common gift. Pears are used in cooking too: grated into bulgogi or galbi marinades, they tenderize the meat and add sweetness. When choosing, pick one that feels heavy for its size and has glossy skin. The Ulsan Horticultural Agricultural Cooperative holds an Ulsan Pear Festival every year to promote local pears. In 2025 it ran from October 17 to 19 at Beomseo Sports Park in Ulju, with a pear competition, a direct-sales market and hands-on booths. Dates can change each year, so check before you go. If you visit Ulsan in autumn, buying fresh pears at a farm stand near the orchards and enjoying them back at your hotel is a small pleasure.