ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball celebrated Korean American Day and kicked off Howard County’s Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks today at Sushi Q, a Korean American owned restaurant in Jessup. Howard County’s Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks has more than 20 participating restaurants and will run from January 17-30, 2022. For a full list of participating restaurants, please click here. Photos of the event can be found here. Video can be found here.
Howard County has an incredible restaurant scene, attracting so many foodies because of our diverse, cultural community and its varied cuisines. Our Korean American owned businesses are an economic engine in our community. One of the best ways to connect with others in our community is through a meal. This winter, we’re reminded how important all of our small, local businesses are to our community – so make sure that you support our restaurants in the coming weeks.
“Korean American Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States,” said Councilwoman Christiana Rigby. “I am honored to join county leaders in recognizing and celebrating the Korean American community in Howard County and the many Korean American businesses and restaurants that contribute to the vitality of our local economy.”
Korean American Day
Korean American Day is celebrated on January 13th, to mark 119 years since the first Korean immigrants came to the United States in 1903. To recognize the occasion, County Executive Ball was joined by Consul General Sei Joong Kwon from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Judge Chung Pak the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings.
Organizations in attendance included the League of Korean Americans of Maryland, Korean American Seniors Association, Camp Attaway, Howard County AAPI Workgroup, Korean American Association-State of Maryland, Arirang Association, National Reunification Advisory Council of Greater Washington, and the Korean American Senior Citizen Association of Maryland.
“Howard County is very supportive of Korean Americans,” said Consul General Sei Joong Kwon, from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. “My deepest gratitude to every Korean American who has contributed to this process of growing our community here in the United States.”
“My parents immigrated from Korea here to America and I am first generation Korean American,” said Jennifer Qiu, Owner of Sushi Q. “I am now a businesswoman and mom. I am constantly on the run in between each of my restaurants, my other business ventures and working day and night to do what I love. During the pandemic, it was tough for all restaurants, but I also knew how important it was to give back and I am proud that we were able to provide food to hospital workers. Please support Restaurant Weeks and come for dine in or take out from any of the three Sushi Q locations in Howard County.”
Restaurant Weeks
Participating restaurants are offering dine-in, carry-out and delivery options with their menus. Visit Howard County is also continuing a partnership with the Howard County Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Workgroup. The Workgroup is helping to connect AAPI and other minority-owned owned restaurants to participate in restaurant weeks.
"We hope everyone will take advantage of this special opportunity to show support of our restaurant community and enjoy some delicious food while doing so," said Amanda Hof, Executive Director for Visit Howard County. "Our restaurants once again went above and beyond and have come up with the most incredible Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages menus and specials. With over twenty-five and counting participating restaurants, there is something for every taste and budget as well as every comfort level as our restaurants are following all safety guidelines and have to-go options".
“Howard County prides itself on being a place of diversity and acceptance of differing cultures,” said Leonardo McClarty, President/CEO of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. “Our community, whether business or residential becomes stronger the more understanding we are of each other.”
“What restaurants need now more than ever are hungry customers,” said Larry Twele, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “The community has done a great job supporting restaurants during the pandemic and we need to continue that support.”