Kothai Republic in San Francisco blended Korean and Thai flavors to create inventive, modern dishes. Owned by an SF native chef, the restaurant is closing down this month. Its closure highlights the hurdles small, independent restaurants face in San Francisco’s competitive dining scene.
A Korean Thai Restaurant is Closing in San Francisco
Kothai Republic is located in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset at 1398 9th Avenue. Chef Sung Park and his team reimagined the dining experience, offering inventive dishes that combined Korean and Thai traditions.
The restaurant aims at utilizing local ingredients and house-made products to create dishes that nourish, delight, and bring goodness to the community. Diners could savor Korean classics like bibimbap and kalbi, alongside creative fusion dishes that combined flavors in unexpected ways.
The restaurant informed its community that it was going out of business. The team expressed their gratitude to the diners and said it was a privilege and a pleasure to serve the community.
Kothai Republic will permanently close on February 15, 2026. Despite its acclaimed menu and service, low daily turnout made the restaurant unsustainable.
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What’s Next for Kothai
While the restaurant has confirmed its closing date, no details have been shared about further plans. The owner mentioned, “This is not a goodbye, but a see you later!” There are anticipations that Kothai might reappear in a different form at a different location.
The restaurant encouraged patrons to follow its social media accounts for updates and to book reservations for their final meals.
As the Kothai Republic is about to shut down, it will affect the area’s diverse culinary landscape. The creative fusion style and the deeper sense of community endeavor saw the restaurant gain a loyal following. In its final days, loyal patrons are returning to savor one last meal before the restaurant closes permanently.
