Korean Center, Inc.

2023 King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking/Writing Contest
2023-06-16 18:00 (America/Denver) | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
Test your Korean skills with this year’s speaking/writing contest!
Participants will have the chance to demonstrate their abilities in both written and spoken Korean. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this contest is a great way to test your language skills and learn from your peers. The winner will have a chance to win a trip to Korea, all expense paid! All participants will also have the chance to win a $50 gift card to Dokkaebier!
Join us and take part in this exciting competition!

Children's Minhwa Exhibit
2023-05-02 08:00 - 2023-06-16 17:00 (America/Denver) | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
KCI is holding an exhibition this month at our center to showcase the talent and creativity of the students who participated in the International Children’s Minhwa Contest and won an award. The gallery is opened by appointment only. Please email info@koreancentersf.org to schedule an appointment.

Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) Celebration
2023-02-11 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
Join us in celebrating Seollal, or Korean Lunar New Year, with our new year celebration event! You’ll be able to participate in traditional Seollal activities and learn more about traditional customs of this important holiday.

Event:
1. Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) Workshop with Sarah Kim-Lee
On Seollal, it is customary to eat tteokguk to celebrate as it represents a clean, fresh start to the new year. We will have a cooking workshop of tteokguk with local K-food chef and ambassador Sarah Kim-Lee. Participants will be given a demonstration of how tteokguk is made. Participants will also learn how to plate the dish and be able to enjoy the dish afterwards!
2. Experience Seollal Customs
Experience traditional Seollal customs by trying on hanboks, the traditional Korean clothing, playing traditional Korean games, and more!
Please note: If you are interested in trying on the hanboks and participating in the workshop with the hanbok on, please arrive at 10:30AM.

Come and experience a traditional Korean New Year with us!

Makgeolli Making Workshop
2023-01-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
Learn the art of making “makgeolli,” the traditional Korean rice wine that’s been making a huge comeback in Korea and gaining popularity in the U.S. Not only will you learn how to make your own makgeolli, but you’ll also get to enjoy snacking on a variety of anju (dishes consumed while drinking Korean alcohol) prepared by popular local K-food chef and ambassador, Sarah Kim-Lee (check out her Instagram @sarahkim_lee).
About the Instructor
Matthew Hable started making makgeolli when he moved to South Korea in 2018. After briefly learning the basics, he took an advanced makgeolli brewing course in Seoul for six months. When he completed the course in 2019, Matthew continued brewing and spent the next three years traveling around Korea, observing the art of making makgeolli from a diverse group of brewers. Today he is currently based in San Francisco. Matthew will teach you the basics of making makgeolli, and participants will get to bring their brews home after the workshop.

Minhwa Family Workshop
2022-07-23 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
This event is held in partnership with the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
Korean Traditional Folk Art, Minhwa, is a type of painting that became popular during the Joseon era. It was painted by unknown artisans, who used symbolism to express their feelings of happiness, anger, and love in everyday life. They are typically used to decorate palaces and homes and to celebrate joyful family occasions. Minhwa artist and KCI’s Executive Director Kate Nam will lead the workshop. Participants will learn how to paint the peony, typically a symbol of wealth. Once finished, participants will have their own Minhwa work to decorate their homes with!

New Exhibition "Ramen Gods & Yummy Fun Aminals" at KCI
2022-05-29 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver)
KCI is partnering with the talented artist Lightning Yumeku, to bring a new exhibition. Titled Ramen Gods & Yummy Fun Animals, this exhibition shows playful pieces of art starting October 5. The exhibition will run from October 5 – November 5, 2022. Admission is free!

Asians Are Strong Our Heritage 5K
2022-05-29 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver)
Asians Are Strong will be holding a 5K run, going through AAPI landmarks in SF as a celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander month. KCI will be the second stop on this run.

Advanced Ramen Series Part 4
2021-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online Workshop
Workshop#4 Crispy Ramen with Veggies!

Welcome to our food workshop series, Advanced Ramen! KCI Board member and talented food expert, Sarah Kim-Lee, will be leading the workshop, presenting 4 different and delicious ramen dishes you can make easily at home.
The last workshop of the series will be Crispy Ramen with Veggies. It is a variation of the Chinese bird nest banquet dish. Instead of the bird nest, Sarah will make a pancake-like dish with ramen, adding various veggies on top which you can be creative with. This is an easy ramen variation that is perfect for you to use up leftovers, and clean out your fridge!
*Special Ramen Kits purchaser will receive a 20% discount on our ramen workshop. Please email our program coordinator to receive the code prior to your ticket purchase.

Special Ramen Kits Available for Purchase
We are thrilled to announce that the Special Ramen Kits are available for purchase!
This kit includes a curated selection of Korean instant ramens, other non-perishable items used in KCI’s Advanced Ramen Workshop Series, and a hand-made mask gift from us. It is wrapped in a beautiful Bojagi (Korean traditional wrapping cloth) made with 100% natural material and in Korea. Click HERE for more information.
*Limited quantities available

Minhwa Workshop: Spring Edition "Peony"
2021-03-29 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Online Workshop
Minhwa (Korean Folk Painting) Workshop
Spring Edition “Peony”: 3/29 6pm-7pm I 3/31 1pm-2pm PST

Welcome to our new Korean art workshop series, Minhwa Workshop: Discover the Beauty of Four Seasons with Minhwa! KCI Board member and Minhwa artist, Kate Nam, will be presenting a series of 4 Minhwa drawing workshops throughout this year.
The first workshop will be Spring edition, “Peony,” on March 29 at 6 PM and March 31 at 1 PM. Workshop participants will paint peony on Korean traditional fiber paper specially treated and glued on a wooden panel. Once completed, you can utilize your own Minhwa work to decorate your room in Springtime!

Advanced Ramen Series Part 3
2021-03-26 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online Workshop
Workshop#3 Ramen Ttang!

Welcome to our food workshop series, Advanced Ramen! KCI Board member and talented food expert, Sarah Kim-Lee, will be leading the workshop, presenting 4 different and delicious ramen dishes you can make easily at home.
Part 3 of the workshop series will be Ramen Ttang! Ramen Ttang is one of the first modern Korean snacks that was a big hit in the 70s. This snack was made with fried ramen crumbs with some seasoning. Although Ramen Ttang has been discontinued since 1978, it is still Koreans’ favorite snack. In this one-hour long workshop, Sarah will show you how to make this fun, and yummy finger food, Ramen Ttang!
*Special Ramen Kits purchaser will receive a 20% discount on each of our ramen workshop. Please email our program coordinator to receive the code prior to your ticket purchase.

Special Ramen Kits Available for Purchase
We are thrilled to announce that the Special Ramen Kits are available for purchase!
This kit includes a curated selection of Korean instant ramens, other non-perishable items used in KCI’s Advanced Ramen Workshop Series, and a hand-made mask gift from us. It is wrapped in a beautiful Bojagi (Korean traditional wrapping cloth) made with 100% natural material and in Korea. Click HERE for more information.
*Limited quantities available

Advanced Ramen Series Part 2
2021-02-26 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online Workshop
Workshop#2 Carbonara Kokomen Ramen

Welcome to our food workshop series, Advanced Ramen! KCI Board member and talented food expert, Sarah Kim-Lee, will be leading the workshop, presenting 4 different and delicious ramen dishes you can make easily at home.
The second in the series will be Carbonara Kokomen Ramen. Kokomen is Korean ramen with a light or white broth. It’s got a chicken and jalapeno kind of flavor that’s really quite excellent. In this one-hour long workshop, Sarah will show you how to turn this ramen into a gourmet meal, Carbonara.
*Special Ramen Kits purchaser will receive a 20% discount on each of our ramen workshop. Please email our program coordinator to receive the code prior to your ticket purchase.

Special Ramen Kits Available for Purchase
We are thrilled to announce that the Special Ramen Kits are available for purchase! This kit includes a curated selection of Korean instant ramens, other non-perishable items used in KCI’s Advanced Ramen Workshop Series, and a hand-made mask gift from us. It is wrapped in a beautiful Bojagi (Korean traditional wrapping cloth) made with 100% natural material and in Korea. Click HERE for more information.
*Limited quantities available

Advanced Ramen Series Part 1
2021-01-29 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Online Workshop
Workshop#1 Soondubu Kimchi Ramen
Part 1: 1/29 I 6pm-7pm

Welcome to our new food workshop series, Advanced Ramen! KCI Board member and talented food expert, Sarah Kim-Lee, will be leading the workshop, presenting 4 different and delicious ramen dishes you can make easily at home.
The first in the series will be Soondubu Kimchi Ramen. Tofu Kimchi Jjigae (두부김치찌개)is such a staple food in Korean households that typically Koreans would eat it at least once or twice a week if not more. In this one-hour long workshop, Sarah will take a lead and teach you how to turn typical ramen into this delicious dish!

Second Annual Chuseok Festival
2020-09-30 - 2020-10-11
THE BAY AREA CHUSEOK FESTIVAL
Celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the SF Bay Area by showcasing Korean traditions, music, arts, cuisine, and community. Our mission is to inspire exploration and discovery of Korean culture across communities and generations, while offering the area’s Korean Americans a way to celebrate together an important traditional holiday.
This year, in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Festival is going virtual and is dedicated to supporting local businesses, organizations and individuals working hard to overcome difficulties during these challenging times. Sign up to participate in “K-QUEST: Community & Culture” by completing “missions” around the SF Bay Area by visiting local Korean restaurants/food trucks, Korean cultural/historical sites, and Korean businesses. Also, use the special app to answer quizzes about local nonprofit organizations that serve the Korean American community and about the Bay Area’s Korean immigration history. Earn points for prizes. LEARN MORE ABOUT K-QUEST. Check out video highlights above from our Inaugural Chuseok Festival held at The Presidio last year.
2020 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Please check back often for additional Festival info, as this site will be updated as we confirm offerings.

JOIN THE FUN!
K-QUEST : COMMUNITY & CULTURE

At the heart of this year’s festival is K-Quest! Complete scavenger hunt-style missions around town and online to explore local Korean history, art, food, etc. Keep track of your participation by using a special app, and earn points for prizes.
Learn, Engage and Have Fun! | Flexible | Self-paced | Safely Distanced

ONLINE CULTURAL WORKSHOPS & INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Learn new skills while enjoying hands-on virtual workshops, including K-food (kimchi and more) and traditional Korean crafts.
Meet and hear from Korean American beverage (beer, makgeolli, wine) and other makers about their paths in building their small businesses.

K-POP, DANCE & ONLINE PERFORMANCES

Enjoy Korean traditional and pop music, dance and other performances. Stay tuned for details.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Culture-in-a-Box: Introduce children to Korean culture through a kit full of fun activities and more. More information about purchasing the box will be updated soon.
Art Contest: Submit artwork that reflects one of three themes (your choice), including what “Chuseok” means to you. Open to K-12 students. In collaboration with the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Discover and support local Korean artists, makers, businesses, and non-profits serving the Korean community.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

LOOKING TO REACH THE COMMUNITY?Consider participating in the Festival:

Food & Beverage Truck or Restaurant
Korean /K-inspired food; Korean/Korean American chefs

Maker
Korean/Korean American entrepreneurs creating their own products

Nonprofit Organization
Providing programs/ services related to or benefiting Korean & other immigrant community

Commercial Business
Selling Korean/Korean-inspired products or services

Recognizing the challenging times, participation at this year’s Festival is FREE to vendors.

Performers
Korean traditional/modern performance teams or Korean/Korean American performers

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
All activities at this year’s Chuseok Festival are being offered free of charge to participants (vendors as well as attendees), recognizing the challenging times many are facing. For those in a position to make a donation, KCI would greatly appreciate any financial support to help offset festival costs, as well as to support our social services and programming for seniors. No amount is too small. Thank you in advance for your support!

K-Street Food Workshop Series
2020-07-24 18:00 - 19:00 UTC
K-Street Food Workshop Series
Part 1: 7/24 | Part 2: 7/31 | Part 3: 8/7 I 6pm-7pm

Come learn how to make popular Korean street food! In these three parts workshop, our wonderful Korean food expert, Sarah Kim-Lee, will take a lead and teach you how to make this simple yet delicious Korean street food!
After you register for the event, you will receive an email with the Zoom link where the event will take place and a list of ingredients you’ll be needing in order to cook along with our instructor. Don’t live near Korean market/Asian grocery store? No worries! Most of the ingredients needed will be available in Safeway/Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s.

70 Year Korean War Friendship Forum
2020-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 UTC
The event, hosted in joint sponsorship with the Korean Consulate General in San Francisco – 주샌프란시스코총영사관 and Ethnic Media Services, and WDCT 1310 has partnered and is organized with the award winning filmmaker, Christopher H K Lee of the film “Fading Away” who will work to convey the true meaning of Korean “han” (or 한) – a symbol of resilience as well as stories and tears of Koreans living in the aftermath of the unresolved conflict.

온라인&전화 법률 상담회
2020-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
북가주 한인 변호사 협회 (KABANC)와 협력하여, 이스트베이 한인 봉사회 (KCCEB)와 코리안 센터(KCI)는 이번주 토요일 (4/11) 무료 법률 상담회를 개최합니다. 이 상담회에서는 코로나19 사태로 인해 직장을 잃은 사람들을 위한 Unemployment Benefit, 소상공인들을 위한 CARES Act loan, 그리고 Tenants’ right에 대한 개인 상담이 진행될 예정입니다. 상담회에 참여를 원하시는 분들은 4월 10일 오후 4시 까지 이스트베이 한인 봉사회 한인 정보라인 (1-844-828-2254)을 통해 예약하시기 바랍니다.

코로나19 경기부양 지원금 안내 워크샵
2020-04-09 19:30 - 20:30 UTC | Online Workshop
코로나19로 인해 쏟아지는 의료, 법, 정책, 렌트, 텍스, 융자 등의 정보를 신속하고 정확하게 전달하기 위해 Korean Center, Inc.는 전문가들과 함께 실시간 온라인 워크샵을 기획하게 되었습니다. 그 첫번째로, 세무 서비스 제공회사 엉클샘과 함께 경기 지원금 안내, 세금보고 안내, 추후 대처방안 및 실시간 개별 질의 응답시간을 갖을 예정입니다. 여러분들의 많은 참여 바랍니다. 자주하는 질문 Q&A에 대한 정보는 여기를 클릭해주세요!

FREE and Open to Public.

다과 Making Workshop
2020-02-21 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and make some delicious Korean traditional snacks/refreshments, known as 다과 (da-gwa). In this two-hour long workshop, we will learn about 다과 making and have time to taste them!
FREE and Open to Public. Pre-Registration through Eventbrite is required.

Bojagi Wrapping Workshop
2020-02-20 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Google Community Space, San Francisco
보자기 (bojagi) is a traditional Korean wrapping cloth. They are typically square-shaped and can be made from a variety of materials, silk being one of the popular materials. In this workshop, with our special guest 이윤숙, you will learn the ways of traditional bojagi wrapping. As a gift for attending the workshop, you will go home with a beautiful bojagi.

FREE and Open to Public. Pre-Registration through Eventbrite is required.

Kids Holiday Party
2019-12-07 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Korean Center, Inc, 1362 Post Street, San Francisco
Come join us on the first Saturday of December and celebrate the beginning of winter Holiday seasons with us. Some of the activities we’ll be hosting includes: arts-and-crafts, mini-cooking session, storytime, and of course, gingerbread house making! All the activities are Korean culture inspired.

General Admission (1 kids + 1 adult) : $35 Additional Adult : $10

Makgeolli Making Workshop
2019-11-22 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | 3376 18th Street, San Francisco
As the last session of the monthly Korean Cultural Workshop Series, we are going to have DIY Makgeolli workshop followed by a social mixer! We’ll learn about the brief history of makgeolli and dive into making your own makgeolli for you to taste and bring home. After the makgeolli making session, everyone is invited to socialize and mingle for the rest of the workshop. We’ll have various makgeolli tasting time with anju(side dishes).
This event is FREE and open to everyone who is 21 years old and over.

Korean Festivals Workshop
2019-11-18 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | 188 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Korea is unique for having four distinct seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter!) and therefore there are lots of regional festivals that are unique to the regional food, weather, culture, etc. Come join our workshop and explore various types of festivals that are worthy of checking out when you visit Korea! Download the presentation PDF

1st Annual Bay Area Korean Chuseok Festival
2019-09-14 11:00 - 17:00 UTC | Civil War Parade Ground, The Presidio, San Francisco
1st Annual Bay Area Korean Chuseok Festival
Thank you so much for coming to the Bay Area’s 1st Annual Korean Chuseok (Harvest) Festival. The Festival exceeded everyone’s expectation drawing somewhere between 4-5,000 attendees for an amazing day of performances, food, games and activities and connecting people across the Korean American and other communities in the Bay Area!
Festival Details
click to enlarge
Date: September 14, 2019
Time: 11AM-5PM
Location: Civil War Parade Ground in the Presidio, San Francisco (Click HERE to see the google map)

Questions? Contact Chuseok2019@koreancentersf.org
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
*Thousands of residents from throughout the Bay Area and visitors
*Korean Singers & Dancers (traditional & pop), martial arts demonstrations and more
*Family Friendly activities including traditional Korean games, kimchi and rice cake making etc.
*Food trucks and booths offering traditional and fusion Korean cuisine
*Nonprofit booths informing about community services
*Business/sponsorship booth highlighting local businesses
*Exciting raffle prizes
SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Chong-Moon Lee Foundation

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

David & Lillian Chun

DONORS

BENEFACTOR

Arrie & John Park
Sophia Oh-Kim & Seung Kim

PATRON

Jee & Jeff Kim-Smith
Clara & Tim Daniels
Angela Lee

SUPPORTER

Sang-ick Chang
Brett Gabby

Lena Kim
Teraoka & Partners LLP

Jenni Zaidi

FRIEND

Eun-Hee Chang & Robert Schick
Mimi Jeon
Margot Kong
Meisel, Krentsa & Burneikis
Christina Trugillo

Ellen Lee
Thomas M. Lee
Christina Siu
Jamie Kim Wong
Janice Yoon

Emily Schell
Kevin O’Keefe
Sara Jung
Heewon Tracy Park

MAJOR IN-KIND DONORS

Eddie Ahn
Jeany Kwon
Jee Yang

Karim Kim
Michelle Wing
Yuh Kyung

Info Tour (인포투어)
Kyung Min Kim
Miran Lim Lee
