Your Insider Guide to Kimchi Festival

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Festival

Kimchi Festival returns to Makiki District Park Field for its 4th year, commemorating the 123rd anniversary of Korean immigration in the islands. This year, you can enjoy live music and performances, a kim chee class and a series of competitive contests for prizes! 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 Festival

What It Is

The Kimchi Festival is a celebration of Korean culture with food vendors as well as an all-day entertainment schedule of music and dance performances, a kim chee class from a former professional chef and a variety of contests, including a best hanbok contest, a won bok toss tournament and an eating contest with kim chee, kim chee pancake and Buldak spicy noodles.

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Festival

When and Where

The Kimchi Festival will be on Saturday, Nov. 14, 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.) and Hawai‘i Christ Church (1639 Ke’eaumoku St.).

What to Eat

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Festival

Kim Chee

The following types of kim chee will be available for purchase at 4 lbs. for $15 and 8 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

• Christ United Methodist Church
• Grace & Grindz
• Hangane
• Korea Garden
• The United Korean Association of Hawai‘i
• Waba Snacks

What to Do

Sign-ups for all contests will be available on the morning of the festival, with the exception of the Kim Chee Class, which requires an online RSVP. For the most up-to-date contest and class times, visit the Kimchi Festival website.

• Kim Chee Class: Sign up in advance to attend Chef Daniel Kim’s kim chee demonstration, with helpful tips and techniques straight from the former professional chef. You must RSVP online in advance to attend.
• Won Bok Toss Tournament: Bring a partner and toss a won bok back and forth at increasing distances using a shallow washing basket.
• Best Hanbok Contest: Bring your own hanbok or rent one at the festival. Three winners will be eligible for a special prize!
• Eating Contest: Skip breakfast and bring your best appetite for Kimchi Festival’s eating contest, featuring kim chee, kim chee pancakes and Buldak spicy noodles!

A keiki zone will also be available with face painting, archery and Yut Nori, a traditional Korean board game.

Photo: Courtesy of Kimchi Festival

Entertainment Schedule

9:40 a.m. Opening: Hawai‘i Korean Farmers’ Music (Nongak)

10 a.m. Line Dancing

10:20 a.m. Hawai‘i GoGo Janggu – Korean Drumming

10:40 a.m. Harmonica-Senior Ensemble; Saxophone Performance

11 a.m. Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio

11:30 a.m. Hula Performance – Kumu Sawai

12 p.m. Opening Ceremony & Official Remarks

• David Suh, Consul General of the Republic Of Korea
• Councilmember Scott Nishimoto
• Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam
• Representative Linda Ichiyama
• Councilmember Matt Weyer
• Senator Donna Mercado Kim

12:30 p.m. Hula Performance – Kumu Pike

1 p.m. Taekwondo Demonstration – Taekwon Do Center Honolulu

1:20 p.m. Arang GoGo Janggu Hawai‘i

1:45 p.m. Best Hanbok Contest

2:30 p.m. Kim Chee-Making Demonstration – Chef Daniel Kim (online pre-registration required)

3 p.m. Korean Song Contest

4 p.m. Eating Contest: Kim Chee, Kim Chee Jeon & Buldak Noodles

5 p.m. K-Pop Dance Performances feat. Allie & Liyah, Josh and Pierce Saja Boys

6 p.m. Hanbok Contest Winners Announced

7 p.m. Closing & Mahalo

Photos: Courtesy of Kimchi Festival

Tips

• There will be a covered seating area on the field, but you may want to bring your own mats and chairs in case it fills up.
• 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 vendors tend to sell out within the first few hours of the festival!

Kimchi Festival, Saturday, Nov. 14, 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.