New company hosts tours of Korean restaurants in Annandale

Are you curious about Korean food, but never tried any of the Korean restaurants in Annandale?

Soomin (Mina) Kim launched Virginialicious to spread the word about the full range of Korean food available in the community.

Virginialicious hosts “Unlocked: Koreatown Food Tours” offering “a delicious adventure through the vibrant streets of Annandale.” Participants sample traditional dishes at five to six restaurants within walking distance of one another while learning about Korean culture.

The cost is $75 per person, including food and some drink tastings. Sign up for a tour here.

Kim grew up in Korea, and when she moved to Northern Virginia in 2012, she settled in Alexandria because she wanted to be close to Annandale for the food.

She got the idea for the tours after friends kept asking where they should go for Korean food. Her husband, Allen Wolf, created Virginialicious LLC as a Christmas present for her.

During the first tour, on March 23, 10 diners tried Korean seafood pancakes, soup, Korean Chinese dishes, Korean fusion dishes, and Korean fried chicken, which Koreans call “KFC.”

“I want to show people there’s a lot more to Korean food than barbecue,” Kim says.  

She doesn’t identify the names of the restaurants in advance. Keeping it a surprise “is part of the business operation. Disclosing the names of the restaurants would be kind of like sharing the secret recipe.” She also expects the restaurants on the tour will change from time to time.

The tour is not just about eating, she says. “Having a guide will address the story behind the food and how to eat it properly.”

In describing Virginialicious’ mission statement, Kim says, “it’s a company born with love for food, love for local community, and love for giving back.”

“I’ve always enjoyed feeding people,” she says. “And I want Annandale to prosper. Some of these restaurants are really struggling.” As for the giving-back part of the mission, a portion of the profits will be donated to Food for Others.

One of most common things she’s heard people say is that they live near Annandale, “but were so overwhelmed, they didn’t know which restaurant to come to.” She expects the tours to draw “people interested in Korean food, had some of the basics, and are curious about the real deal.”

“We are so lucky to have a Koreatown so close,” she says.