10 Ways to Experience Korean Culture around Washington, DC

Everything from K-pop to classical art, film festivals to a bell garden and norebang (Korean-style karaoke)

 Grocery Shopping

Wander through a Korean grocery store like H-Mart in Wheaton or Korean Korner in Silver Spring to get authentic ingredients and recipes for your at-home Korean cooking. Pick up fresh noodles, condiments, fish, and produce that you can’t find elsewhere!

Take a Spa Day

Visit a jjimjilbang () in the area to have a relaxing Korean spa experience. SpaWorld in Centreville, VA is a popular Korean spa in the DC area. Spend your day lounging in the pools and saunas. Before you go, check out a guide on what to expect at a traditional Korea bathhouse!

Go Out to Eat

Craving some good bulgogi () or a kimchi stew ()? Stop by Kangnam BBQ  on Route 1 in College Park. More in the mood for some good Korean fried chicken?  Head to Hyattsville’s Bonchon to split a plate with friends. If you’re looking for something more vegetarian- or vegan-friendly, try Mark’s Kitchen in Takoma Park for a Korean-American dining experience. Shilla’s Bakery is a Korean chain with several locations in the DC area: Stop by to try boba tea with a Korean baked treat.

Attend a Festival

For an entire day of Korean culture, attend one of the DC area’s many Korean festivals to experience, music, food, and shopping all at once! Try KORUS, the largest of the festivals, to see everything from traditional Korean music to modern hip hop artists, or attend one of the smaller events, such as the annual Lunar festival, Korean Art and Soul festival, or the Asian and Pacific Island American Festival.

Visit an Art Gallery

The Smithsonian Institute has a wealth of Korean cultural artifacts and events, all available for free to the public. Start in the Natural History Museum’s Korea Gallery, a permanent exhibition exploring Korean family, history, classical and contemporary art, and Koreans around the world today. Continue to the Freer and Sackler Gallerys’ Korean collections (currently closed for renovation). And don’t forget to check out the calendar of events to catch Korean traditional music, modern K-pop performances, lectures, and films.

Attend a Lecture

Want more lectures outside of class? Check out the Korean Economic Institute of America’s lecture series. Attend lectures on topics such as the implications of the 2016 Korean National Assembly Elections, relations between South and North Korea, and Korean labor practices. Stop by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea series for more lectures and documentary screenings.

See a Movie

The Freer-Sackler Galleries run year-round Korean film programming. Catch anime, drama, historical drama, and comedies, free and open to the public.

Take a Walk through a Korean Bell Garden

Visit a traditional Korean Bell Garden in Vienna, Virginia. See dol hareubangs, carved from volcanic rock from Jeju Island, traditionally set to guard the Jeju city; statues commemorating the creation of Hangul; and a Bell of Peace and Harmony, representing “the equality, opportunity, and freedom Korean immigrants have found in the United States.”

Visit a Tea House and Cultural Arts Center

Soricha Tea & Theater offers both a performing art space and a tea house, open every day. Stop by for a fresh 빙수 (bing-soo) or tea or to see one of their monthly performances featuring Korean traditional singing, instruments, or dance. (Join their newsletter for coupons and event details!)

Sing Your Heart Out

If you have always wanted to try karoke, but are nervous about the crowd, stop by Adams Morgan’s Musette for a norebang session with friends! Reserve a room, order snacks, and sing your heart out to your favorite K-pop artists! Be sure to plan ahead by checking the age restrictions at night.

Bonus! Stop by Library of Congress to Research

The Library of Congress’s Asian Reading Room has the most extensive collection of Western-language materials on Korea, including newspapers going back to 1920 and an extensive collection of Korean-language electronic resources. If you’re interested in the United States’ involvement in the Korean War, have a look at the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project, Experiencing War, The Korean War: Not Forgotten

Extra Resource:      

If you’re looking for a place to celebrate Korean culture, and do everything form try taekowdo to listen to K-pop and discuss Korean literature, stop by the Korean Cultural Center DC, an organization sponsored by the Korean Embassy. Stop by during business hours to see  art galleries, celebrate Korean holidays, or attend a music performance! Be sure to make a reservation if you plan on attending events.