Your Insider Guide to Kimchi Day Festival

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival

Kimchi Day Festival returns to Makiki District Park Field in celebration of the 122nd anniversary of Korean immigration in the islands. This year’s schedule is packed with festivities, from K-Pop song and dance competitions to make-your-own-kim chee classes to—wait for it—a two-person won bok-tossing tournament! Of course, if you’re just looking to crunch on some tasty kim chee, local restaurants and vendors have you covered.

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.

Click to the info you want to explore:

• What It Is
• When and Where
• What to Eat
• What to Do
• Entertainment
• Tips

SEE ALSO: We’ve Got Seoul: The Korean Wave in Hawai‘i

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 of music and dance performances, kim chee-cooking demonstrations and a variety of contests, including a best homemade kim chee contest, a kim chee jun-eating contest and a won bok toss tournament.

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival

When and Where

The Kimchi Day Festival will be on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 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 the Makiki District Park parking lot (1527 Ke‘eaumoku St.), Hawai‘i Christ Church (1639 Ke‘eaumoku St.) and Catholic Charities (1822 Ke‘eaumoku St.).

What to Eat

Photos: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival

Kim Chee

The following types of kim chee will be available for purchase at 2 lbs. for $15 and 4 lbs. for $25:

• Original kim chee
• Cucumber kim chee
• Green onion kim chee
• Radish kim chee
• Sliced kim chee
• Bok choy kim chee

Photo: Andrea Lee

Food Vendors

• Apron Boys
• E Chicken
• Gen Korean BBQ
• Hangane
• Hawai‘i Christ Church
• Jagalchi
• Sabal
• Uni Sweets Bakery & Tea

What to Do

• Won Bok Toss Tournament: Bring a partner and a winning strategy to toss a won bok back and forth at increasing distances using a shallow washing basket. The tournament begins at 11 a.m. At 12:35 p.m., the finalists head to the main stage for a shot at championship medals and gift certificates. Learn more about the tournament rules.
• Best Homemade Kim Chee Contest: Our local restaurants make some great kim chee, but we know that some of you are keeping your golden talents all to yourselves. Find out who makes the best homemade kim chee at 11:30 a.m. Register for the competition by Friday, Nov. 14.
• Kim Chee Jun-Eating Contest: Think you can speed-eat two pounds of kim chee jun? Ten participants will show off their skills at 1:40 p.m. Entrants can bring their own non-alcoholic beverages, such as water or soda pop. Learn how to sign up on Saturday, Nov. 22, and review the rules of the competition here.
• Make Your Own Kim Chee Class: Ever wondered how to make won bok or cucumber kim chee? Chef Daniel Kim will show you how it’s done, done, done. Sign up for a 45-minute class at 2 or 4 p.m. at a cost of $22 per person. Spaces are limited, so sign up early.
• K-Pop Song Contest: Time to show everyone what victory sounds like. The contest begins at 2 p.m., and the winner takes home a $100 cash prize and a special gift. If you’d like to compete, sign up by Friday, Nov. 14.
• K-Pop Dance Contest: Take down the competition with your smooth moves and sharp looks. The contest begins at 2:45 p.m., and the winner takes home a $100 cash prize and a special gift. If you’d like to compete, sign up by Friday, Nov. 14.
• The kids’ zone will have face painting, archery and Yut Nori, a traditional Korean board game for keiki to enjoy.

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Day Festival

Entertainment Schedule

10 a.m. Welcome

10:05 a.m. Halau Hula Ka No‘eau

10:30 a.m. Moanalua Middle School Orchestra

11 a.m. Won Bok Toss Contest Area Opens

11:10 a.m. Senior Hula with Kumu Sawai

11:30 a.m. Best Homemade Kim Chee Contest

12:35 p.m. Won Bok Toss Finals

12:45 p.m. Tradewinds (local band)

1:40 p.m. Kim Chee Jun-Eating Contest

2 p.m. K-Pop Song Competition

2 p.m. Kim Chee-Making Class (pre-registration required)

2:45 p.m. K-Pop Dance Competition

3 p.m. O’Kim’s Special Kim Chee Booth Opens

3 p.m. K-Pop Demon Hunters Photo Booth Opens

3:30 p.m. K-Pop Demon Hunters Sing-A-Long

4 p.m. Kim Chee-Making Class (pre-registration required)

4:15 p.m. Maryknoll School Samoan Club

4:30 p.m. Jonathan Kim (violinist)

4:45 p.m. Go Go Janggu (traditional Korean drum performers)

5 p.m. Hawai‘i’s Favorite Korean Entertainers

5:50 p.m. Kim Chee Slap

6 p.m. Korean K-Pop Night Dance Party

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. 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Makiki District Park Field, 1527 Ke‘eaumoku St., Makiki, kimchifestivalhi.com, @kimchifestivalhi

Alexander Pang is a contributor to HONOLULU Magazine and Frolic Hawai‘i.