Where San Francisco’s Korean life clusters
Geary Boulevard between 18th and 6th Avenues is the closest thing San Francisco has to a Koreatown. It is small (a few blocks) and shares space with the Russian and Japanese populations of the Inner Richmond, but the Korean signage, restaurants, and shops are concentrated enough to feel like a neighborhood.
Korean restaurants worth knowing
Han Il Kwan. Old-school Korean stew specialist on Geary. The kimchi jjigae is the benchmark.
My Tofu House. Sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) done well. Lines on weekends.
Toyose. Korean bar food (anju) past midnight. The kind of place you go after a long evening.
Brothers Restaurant. Korean BBQ. Reliable for groups.
Coréen. Korean BBQ, slightly upmarket. Date-night appropriate.
Korean markets
Kukje Market (Daly City). Technically not in San Francisco proper but the closest serious Korean grocery to the city. Banchan, fresh kimchi, Korean cosmetics, hanbok-adjacent supplies.
Cultural events and organizations
Korean Center of San Francisco in Japantown. Cultural programming, language classes, Chuseok and Seollal celebrations.
SF Korean American Cinema (when active). Korean film festivals and screenings.
Asian Art Museum (Civic Center). Permanent Korean collection and occasional rotating Korean exhibits.
K-pop and K-culture venues
Larger K-pop concerts hit Chase Center, Oakland Arena, and occasionally the Bill Graham Civic. Smaller K-culture events (cover dance, K-pop dance classes, Korean drama nights) happen at various community centers and dance studios across the city.
Korean churches in San Francisco
Multiple Korean churches in San Francisco proper, including Korean Central Presbyterian, Korean Methodist Church of SF, and others. Most have English-speaking services and welcome newcomers. Korean churches function as the primary community hub for most Korean-Americans in the city.
Korean experiences for visitors
If you are visiting San Francisco and want to engage with Korean culture: eat at Han Il Kwan or My Tofu House, walk Geary Boulevard, visit the Korean collection at the Asian Art Museum, and time your visit to a Chuseok or Seollal community event if possible. The city is small; you can do all of this in a weekend.
How The Korean In Me fits
Eric is based in San Mateo, 20 minutes south of San Francisco. He works with Bay Area customers in person by appointment. The studio is part of the broader Bay Area Korean-American small-business ecosystem. See Bay Area service.
Talk to Eric
Looking for hanbok in San Francisco? Eric at The Korean In Me sources authentic hanbok personally from Seoul, inspects every piece in San Mateo, and works with each customer on sizing and color. Contact Eric to inquire →