IT’S OVER…for now

I’ve done two posts about Sung Park and his family’s restaurant KOTHAI in San Francisco. Sadly, the restaurant’s last night of operation was Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026 and I’m sad about it.

I met Sung the first time I ate there. I was showing pics of our trip to Korea to our friends, he told me to put away my phone - in a jesting manner - as he filled our water glasses. That started a lot of fun banter back and forth between us. We ate there as many times as we could when we were in S.F. Not only was the food fantastic, the service was great, and Sung and his wife provided the perfect atmosphere for a casual dinner. His joy of cooking and his winning personality made KOTHAI a winner.

So if it was so good, why did it close? The answer is easy: money. When they let the public know they were closing, Sung posted on instagram that all they needed to stay open was 9 or 10 more people a night eating dinner. DARN!

We had our last meal there three days before they closed, and this pic is from that night. I’m going to miss their always perfect food, the ambience there, and Sung. I hope he and his wife stick around and wow us again with some new venture. ~ Pat

Pat & Sung from Kothai Restaurant.

This should be a reminder to all that it is TOUGH to own a restaurant. Even with great food, great people, & great atmophere it is a struggle. Go out and support those gems in your neighborhoods! ~ Judy