The Bay Area Korean community is smaller than the one in Los Angeles or New York but quietly substantial. Around 100,000 Korean-Americans live across the nine counties. Most of the visible community life clusters in San Francisco's Japantown adjacent area, Daly City, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Fremont.
Where to eat
San Francisco's Korean restaurants are concentrated near Geary Boulevard between 18th and 6th avenues. Han Il Kwan, My Tofu House, and Toyose are old standbys. For Korean barbecue, Brothers and Coréen on Geary are the names most families default to.
In the South Bay, Santa Clara's Korean strip near El Camino Real has SGD Dubu, Tofu House, and a handful of dol-cake shops. Fremont's Mission Boulevard has its own cluster of Korean restaurants.
Where to shop
H Mart locations in Daly City, Santa Clara, and Pleasanton are the main grocery anchors for Korean cooking. They also sell hanbok-related items like beoseon socks, traditional sweets, and small ceremonial supplies.
For Korean home goods, Galleria Korea in Daly City carries dishware, banchan containers, and rice cookers. For Korean cosmetics and skincare, Tony Moly and Innisfree both have Bay Area locations.
Where to gather
The Korean Center of San Francisco hosts cultural events through the year, including Chuseok and Seollal celebrations, language classes, and traditional arts workshops. The Korean Cultural Center in San Mateo hosts smaller community events.
Korean churches across the Peninsula and South Bay are the largest community hubs for most Korean-American families. Korean Methodist and Korean Presbyterian congregations are scattered across San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Fremont.
Where to wear hanbok
Most hanbok-wearing in the Bay Area happens at private family events: weddings, dols, milestone birthdays, holiday meals. Public hanbok-friendly events include Chuseok celebrations at community centers, Seollal events at Korean churches, and the occasional Korean cultural festival.
Eric is based in San Mateo and offers in-person fittings for Bay Area customers by appointment. See Bay Area service.
Where Eric fits
The Korean In Me works specifically with Korean-American families in the Bay Area. Hanbok sourced from Seoul, inspected in San Mateo, fitted in person if you would like. Read more about the studio or send Eric a message.
Talk to Eric
Looking for authentic hanbok for your occasion? Eric at The Korean In Me works personally with each customer, sources every piece from Seoul, and inspects it in San Mateo before it ships. Send Eric a message or text (707) 718-3579.