The 16th Annual Korean Festival will present hot and popular entertainers from Korea, as well as hot and not-so-spicy isle-favorite foods, with attractions for islanders of all ages.
Dance performances, a song contest, a re-enactment of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, games, a taekwondo demonstration and cultural exhibits are all part of the lively and colorful event.
A kim chee-eating contest will test the mettle of participants, while those not into competitive eating can enjoy kim chee and other Korean and local foods at a more leisurely pace.
Restaurants offering specialties for sale will include Seoul Jung, O’Kims and Little Seoul II. Blazin’ Steaks will present its Hawaiian roasted corn.
16TH ANNUAL KOREAN FESTIVAL
>> Where: Honolulu Civic Center Grounds
>> When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: Free
>> Info: koreanfestivalhawaii.com
>> Note: Free parking available at the Fasi Municipal Building
Two Korean churches, Hawaii Christian and Hanmi Presbyterian, also are whipping up dishes to serve at the festival, said festival chairwoman Grace Ogawa.
Food booths will offer kalbi (barbecued beef ribs), bulgogi (marinated, barbecued beef); bibimbap (rice bowls topped with meat, vegetables and an egg); mandoo (steamed and fried, or deep-fried dumplings); tteokbokki (small rice cakes in spicy sauce) and many other items, at prices ranging from $5 to $10 or so, Ogawa said.
Additional food vendors will include Teapresso, Snow Factory, Dragon Ice Cream, Thirsty Coconut and Popcorn Express.
For the over-21 set, a Korean beer and soju tasting tent will provide potables to help wash down the tasty comestibles. The tent and drinks for sale are being provided by Kukui Foods, a wholesaler.
K-pop stars Fantasie, an all-girl group, headlines the entertainment at this year’s festival, along with South Carnival, a band from Korea’s Jeju Island. Both groups appear Friday and Saturday.
Korean singer-songwriter Cho Eun, famous for his musical contributions to popular K-dramas, joins the entertainment lineup Saturday.
“Proceeds will go to the scholarship fund … we award (college) scholarships every year,” Ogawa said.
The scholarships are presented by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, supported by many community organizations, businesses and hundreds of volunteers.
