Today we’d like to introduce you to Soomin Kim.
Hi Soomin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Busan, South Korea, and came to the United States in 2012. After settling in Northern Virginia, I found myself wanting to share more of my culture with the people around me, especially through something that has always brought people together: food.
Korean food has become so much more visible and popular in the U.S., but I felt there was still so much to explore beyond Korean BBQ and Korean fried chicken that many people already know. I wanted to introduce people to the little family-owned restaurants, the dishes Koreans grow up eating, and the stories and traditions behind the food. That idea eventually became Virginialicious, a Korean food tour business I founded in 2024.
Starting a business was a learning experience in every sense of the word. As a small, woman-owned business, I wear a lot of hats, from planning tours and building relationships with local restaurant owners to marketing, managing operations, and making sure every guest has a memorable experience. One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing strangers come together over a shared meal, discover something new, and leave feeling like they’ve made new friends.
Community has also been at the heart of Virginialicious from the beginning. We work with small, locally owned restaurants and businesses and dedicate a portion of our proceeds to supporting our local community. To me, the business is about more than introducing people to Korean food. It’s about creating connections, supporting the neighborhood, and sharing a piece of my culture in a way that feels welcoming and fun.
I’m still growing and figuring things out as I go, but I’m excited to help people see a different side of Korean cuisine and put Annandale, Washington DC’s own Korean food destination, on more people’s maps.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not! Starting a business from scratch means learning a lot of things you never knew you needed to know. I’m passionate about food, culture, and connecting with people, but running a business also means handling marketing, finances, logistics, and all the behind-the-scenes work that most people never see. As a small business owner, you wear every hat, and there isn’t always someone to turn to for answers.
One of the biggest challenges has been helping both customers and restaurant owners understand what a food tour actually is. For customers, it’s not just about eating at several restaurants. It’s about discovering hidden gems, trying dishes they might not order on their own, and learning the stories behind the food and culture. For restaurant owners, the concept can be unfamiliar, too. Many small, family-owned restaurants are used to serving individual customers or regular groups, so introducing the idea of hosting a guided food tour and sharing multiple dishes with a rotating group of guests takes some explaining and relationship-building. It takes time to build trust, communicate the value, and show how a food tour can benefit everyone involved.
I’ve also learned that passion alone isn’t enough. You have to be willing to experiment, adapt, and keep showing up even when things don’t go as planned. There are days when I question whether I’m doing enough or moving fast enough, but the moments when guests connect over a meal, discover a new favorite dish, or tell me how much they enjoyed the experience remind me why I started. I’m learning to celebrate those moments while continuing to grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Virginialicious offers guided Korean food tours in Annandale, Virginia, introducing guests to the flavors, traditions, and everyday food culture of Korea in a way that feels approachable, personal, and fun. We go beyond the familiar dishes and give people a chance to explore the kind of Korean food scene that locals know and love.
What sets us apart is that we’re not simply taking people out to eat. Our tours combine food, cultural storytelling, and a little Korean language along the way. Guests learn why certain dishes are meaningful, how to navigate a Korean menu, and the cultural details that make each experience more memorable. You don’t need to know anything about Korean food beforehand. Curiosity and an appetite are all you need!
We’re also intentional about the places we feature. We focus on small, independently owned, family-run restaurants rather than chains, and our stops can change as we continue discovering new favorites. That flexibility keeps the experience fresh while allowing us to support the people who make Annandale’s food scene so special.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Virginialicious brings together three things I genuinely care about: great food, local community, and giving back. A portion of our proceeds supports Food for Others, a Northern Virginia nonprofit fighting food insecurity. I want people to associate our brand not just with discovering amazing Korean food, but also with feeling welcome, meeting new people, and experiencing the community in a meaningful way.
Ultimately, I hope Virginialicious helps people see Annandale as a destination worth exploring in its own right and reminds them that some of the best food experiences happen when you’re willing to try something new.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck has played a meaningful role in my journey, especially through the people I’ve met along the way. Some of the most valuable opportunities have come from unexpected connections with people who believed in what I was building, were willing to share their expertise, or simply opened a door I didn’t know existed.
As a small business owner, you quickly realize that you can’t do everything alone. I’ve been fortunate to meet wonderful people, from local restaurant owners who welcomed my idea to fellow entrepreneurs and community members who have supported Virginialicious in different ways. Every meaningful connection has helped me learn something new, see things from a different perspective, or find the encouragement to keep going.
Of course, I also believe you have to put yourself out there for luck to find you. You have to be willing to introduce yourself, ask questions, try things that might not work, and say yes to opportunities even when you aren’t entirely sure where they’ll lead. I’m grateful for the people who have crossed my path, and I hope to continue building relationships that are mutually supportive and make a positive impact on our local community. Sometimes, the best thing that comes out of taking a chance isn’t a business opportunity at all, but a person you might never have met otherwise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://virginialicious.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginia_delish
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginialicious
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virginialicious
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/virginialicious-annandale?osq=virginialicious
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/virginialicious-food-tour-company/
