San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: Korea House & New Korea House

Address: 1628 Post St. (Korea House), 1640 Post St. (New Korea House)

Visual Description:

Owned and operated by the Kim family, the Korea House (Koryuh Jung) and New Korea House (Shin Koryuh Jung) are two restaurants based in Japantown that specialize in Korean cuisine. The restaurant provides a variety of authentic Korean foods including rice noodles, marinated barbecue, tofu pots, and fried rice dishes. All entrees are served traditionally with a variety of Korean side-dishes (banchan) such as kim-chee, fish cakes, fried spinach, and sweetened potatoes. At the front entrance of the original Korea House, visitors can walk up a small staircase that leads up to the main dining area on the second floor, which accommodates up to 125 people in round-table seats and family booths. On the bottom floor, patrons can also rent out a party room, which features a karaoke machine and grand piano. The New Korea House is slightly smaller than the original Korea House, and can accommodate up to 120 people on two separate floors. The top floor contains two rooms: a walled-off dining room for special guests and a party room designed for larger groups. At a balcony on the second floor, visitors can also admire a small garden of potted flowers.

History:

Korea House was founded in 1954 by Jung Soo Jee, one of only three thousand Korean immigrants living in San Francisco at the time. Shortly after it’s opening, however, Japanese residents in the community protested the intrusion of a Korean-owned business and lobbied to keep the restaurant out of Japantown. The business survived, however, and after changing hands once more, was eventually purchased by Henry Kim and his family in 1970. During the 1970’s, Korea House became a prominent gathering place for Korean immigrants in the community, and oftentimes hosted Korean diplomats and CEO’s from abroad. In addition, the Kim family played a vital role in the community by providing jobs and financial aid for incoming Korean students and workers. In 1976, the Kim family renovated the bottom floor of the Korea House into a nightclub, which in 2000 became the temporary home of Locus Arts, an Asian American arts organization. In 1982, the Kim family purchased vacant space on 1628 Sutter and set up a second restaurant called the New Korea House.

Significance:

Cultural, Historical, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Recognized in local newspapers; hosted Korean Prime Minister Noh Dae Tong in 2003 (see right picture).

Sources:

Kim Jum Jah, Owner, Korea House & New Korea House

Other Comments:

Since 1954, Korea House has provided a vital link between the native Japantown community and a growing number of Korean Americans around the area.

Prepared By: Young Kim Date Prepared: 8/25/04