Thousands of people flocked to Kapi'olani Park yesterday to celebrate Korean culture — and food — at the sixth annual Korean festival.

People waited in long lines for plate lunches with mandoo, kalbi and other Korean favorites.

There also were some non-traditional Korean picks, like hot dogs topped with kim chee.

"We came for the food!" said Honolulu resident Duane Fujii, who brought three of his nieces visiting from San Francisco to the festival.

The four were mulling over what tasty delicacies they wanted in their plate lunches. Fujii was set on getting kim chee — as were many others who ate the pickled dish while lounging on blankets in the grass.

Mim Hee Kim, a student at Kapi'olani Community College who is from Korea, took two friends to the festival to give them a taste of where she was born and raised.

"I'm trying to show my friends a little Korea," she said, laughing. The trio planned to stick around for the headline entertainment — recording artists Wax and Lee Ki Chan.

Soo Sun, of Makiki, held her 1-month-old baby as she looked around at what booths were offering to eat. "I need to eat some food," said Sun, smiling broadly at friend Yuki Rhys.

The Hawai'i Korean Chamber of Commerce put on the festival, which was expected to attract about 40,000 people throughout the day.

Chamber President Rex Kim said the event is about celebrating Korean culture, life and food and sharing them with a multicultural crowd.

"We want to share our heritage," Kim said.

Dozens of people flew in from Korea to man booths at the festival. One popular station offered Korean wedding photos, where couples could dress up in traditional garb and headpieces.

Doori Bang, of Busan, Korea, said the photos gave people a taste of a rich, ancient culture.

The festival started around 9 a.m., and wrapped up by 6 p.m. One of the highlights was the Korean song contest, with ordinary people crooning out their favorite Korean hits.

There were more than 30 booths at the event, about half of which were selling plate lunches.

The others offered Korean products, from music to sundries. There also were informational booths, where people could learn about Korean cities or Korean-Americans in Hawai'i.

About noon, the Korean Chamber of Commerce honored three students of Korean ancestry with $2,000 merit scholarships.

The scholarships went to Soyun Hwang, a Roosevelt High student; Brian Lee, of Moanalua High; and Maryknoll School student Bryan U.

Meanwhile, the chamber named Yuni Shiramizu, the owner of Young Scale Company on Wai'alae Avenue, entrepreneur of the year.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.