Photo: Andrea Lee
Kim chee may be a side dish, but it was certainly the main course at last year’s Kimchi Day Festival. Buoyed by the success of last year’s celebration, the festival returns to Makiki District Park Field in celebration of the 121st anniversary of Korean immigration in the islands. Join in the festivities with musical performances, K-Pop dancing, a talent competition and, of course, loads of kim chee.
Editor’s Note: Though the spelling of “kim chee” is commonly seen in Hawai‘i and HONOLULU Magazine, we will use “kimchi” when referring to the festival and day.
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Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
What It Is
The Kimchi Day Festival is a celebration of Korean culture with food vendors as well as an all-day entertainment schedule with music, dancing, kim chee demonstrations and a talent competition with cash prizes and performances.
Photo: Thomas Obungen
When and Where
This year, the Kimchi Day Festival will be on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Makiki District Park Field, 1527 Ke‘eaumoku St.
How Much It Costs
Entry is free. Food and goods are available for purchase with cash or card.
Where to Park
Free parking is available at Makiki District Park and Hawai‘i Christ Church (formerly Christ United Methodist Church at 1639 Ke’eaumoku St.).
What to Eat
Photos: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
Kim Chee
These types of kim chee will be available for purchase:
- Napa cabbage kim chee
- Cucumber kim chee
- Green onion kim chee
- Summer radish kim chee
- Cubed radish kim chee
- Haruna kim chee
- Pork belly kim chee
- Bok choy kim chee
Photos: Andrea Lee
Food Vendors
These food vendors will have the following dishes for sale:
- The United Korean Association of Hawai‘i: napa cabbage kim chee, cut (4 lbs, $15) and whole (8 lbs, $27)
- Khan Skewer Restaurant: beef skewer, lamb skewer, chicken skewer (3 skewers an order, $10 each), pork wrap with kimchi skewer ($4 each)
- Honu’s Kalbi & Sushi: kim chee poke bowl ($15), napa cabbage kimchi ($10), haruna kimchi ($10), grilled kama ($14), grilled salmon ($14)
- 88 Mart (booth 1): kim chee pancakes ($10), fried tofu kim chee sushi ($9), tteokbokki ($7), kim chee fried rice ($10)
- 88 Mart (booth 2): cucumber kim chee, summer radish kim chee, cubed radish kim chee, fishcake soup, fried shrimp, fried kim chee mandoo (all $10 each)
- Jagalchi Restaurant: pork belly kim chee, roasted pig’s feet + fresh whole kim chee, steamed baby back ribs with kim chee (all $15 each)
- New Hyung Je Yakiniku: spicy pork spare ribs, bulgogi, BBQ chicken, kim chee fried rice, kimbap, chives pancakes (all $10 each)
- Sabal: Sabal rice bowls topped with cucumber namul, kim chee, pickled radish, tempura puffs and poached egg plus choice of protein and sauce ($9 for small without egg, $12 for large with egg)
- Hawaiian Honey Cones: J-shaped honey cone filled at both ends with choice of Hokkaido creme ice cream, ube flavor ice cream or both ($16)
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Photo: Courtesy of The OldTaku
What to Do
Stop by the booths for The United Korean Association of Hawai‘i to buy a commemorative Kimchi Day Festival tote bag and The OldTaku to shop a variety of homemade bags and accessories.
At 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., swing by the demo tent to learn how to make your own kim chee at one of two kim chee-making demonstrations.
This year marks the return of the Kimchi Day Festival talent competition. While entry to the competition has already closed, you can watch solo and group talents show off their singing or K-pop dancing skills for a shot at a $500 cash prize for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place. The show starts at 3 p.m.
A kids’ zone will also be available with face painting and archery for keiki to enjoy.
Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
Entertainment Schedule
11 a.m. Korean Nongak band #1
11:05 a.m. Moanalua Middle School Orchestra
11:47 a.m. Senior Hula #1
11:53 a.m. GoGo JangGu
12:10 p.m. Special guests share remarks
12:18 p.m. Senior Hula #2
12:23 p.m. Hawai‘i Dance Bomb (K-Pop dance group)
12:30 p.m. Kim chee-making demo #1 (in demo tent)
1 p.m. Tradewinds (local band)
1:47 p.m. Korean Nongak band #2
1:57 p.m. K-Pop Cardio Crew (K-Pop dance group)
2 p.m. Kim chee-making demo #2 (in demo tent)
2:40 p.m. K-Pop Cardio Crew (K-Pop dance group)
2:45 p.m. Maui Dance Klub (K-Pop dance group)
3 p.m. Talent Competition
4:10 p.m. Halla Huhm Dance Studio (traditional Korean dance)
4:30 p.m. Honolulu Dance Company
5:30 p.m. Sung Chan Jang Quartet, Chang Quartet
6:30 p.m. VJ Youkai (DJ)
Photos: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival
Tips
- There is little to no seating or cover available on the field, so plan for the weather and bring mats and chairs if you want to eat at the festival.
- Bring reusable bags or coolers to keep your food fresh and take your kim chee to go.
- If you have your eye on a particular vendor or type of kim chee, try to arrive early, as some of the vendors sold out of kim chee last year within the first few hours of the festival!
Kimchi Day Festival, Saturday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Makiki District Park Field, 1527 Ke‘eaumoku St., hawaiihanin.org
