School
University of San Diego
Expertise
San Diego food & coffee scene, cocktail photography, loose leaf tea
- Growing up in a unique Polish Korean household, Lili has a deep love and appreciation for global cuisines and considers herself the least picky eater in the world.
- Similarly, she is inspired by her mother and grandmother's values of cooking from scratch with fresh, local ingredients.
- Lili lived in Rome, Italy, for four months in 2022, eating her weight in rigatoni all'amatriciana and bufala pizza.
Experience
Lili is a freelance writer and photographer originally from Monroe, WA, and is currently based in San Diego, CA. Her love for the city of San Diego led her to work with San Diego Magazine, for which she has written articles and created illustrations. She loves writing about entrepreneurs, chefs, and winemakers who are looking to share their stories and culinary visions.
Education
Lili attended the University of San Diego.
Food Republic’s industry-leading coverage is created by qualified and experienced writers, and is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure everything is accurate and timely. Outside experts are also consulted whenever possible to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.
Our mission is to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day or cooking tips, tricks, and trends. We also bring you recipes you can depend on, as well as reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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Fast Food
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
Chick-fil-A is one of the most popular fried chicken chains around, and if you want to give your sandwich a Mexican vibe, you can with one twist.
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
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World Cuisines
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
Rick Steves knows his way around Europe like the back of his hand, and his suggestion on where to eat in Ireland is based off of years of experience.
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
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Beer and Wine
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
Ina Garten knows a thing or twenty about hosting a successful Thanksgiving dinner, so when she swears by these wines, we're not just listening but taking notes.
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
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Design & Decor
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
What's worse than reaching for a kitchen towel and finding it's fallen to the floor when you need it? With the right folding technique, it will never fall.
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
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Stores And Chains
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
If you, like many of us, absolutely love Rao's Marinara, but you want to save a little money without sacrificing flavor, head on down to Aldi.
By Lili Kim 10 months ago
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Casual Dining
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
When push comes to shove, not all breakfast foods are created equal, and while this food trend makes a pretty post on Instagram, what are you really getting?
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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City Guides
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
You may have heard that if you show up to a casino in Las Vegas, you'll get free drinks if you gamble. Technically true, there are still some things to know.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Trader Joe's
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
If you want to head to the Trader Joe's that has the largest wine selection in the West, you need to get thee to California, but no, not Napa Valley.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Smoothies and Shakes
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
"Love Is Blind" Season 9 has been filled with controversy, but one of the most shocking moments was when a contestant made an unconventional smoothie.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Fast Food
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
Chick-fil-A is known for its iconic chicken sandwiches and friendly customer service, but fans can’t stop talking about this discontinued frozen drink.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Food
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
There's nothing like endless Olive Garden breadsticks, hot from the oven. When it's time for dessert, though, your sweet treat may not be as fresh as you think.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Entertaining
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
To put a sophisticated, creative, and seasonal spin on your next dinner party, observe this very simple project from the queen of entertaining.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Coffee Shops
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
Matcha lattes are really having a moment right now, but coffee chain Dutch Bros' version is a big letdown for customers. Here's why.
By Lili Kim 11 months ago
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Cocktails and Spirits
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
If you want to ensure that your whiskey and Coke mixed drink is as smooth as possible, then ditch your unflavored liquor for this type instead.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Fine Dining
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
In addition to being a long-time television personality, Emeril Lagasse is also the man behind many successful restaurants, but exactly how many?
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Beer and Wine
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
Behind every frosty pint at Texas Roadhouse is a secret to why their beer tastes so crisp, which a strict rule to serve every draft at a specific temperature.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Costco
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
October brings a mix of sweet and savory autumn snacks to Costco shelves, as well as a few indulgences that make braving the weekend crowds totally worth it.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Trader Joe's
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
If you want to add a little autumnal flair to your fall mornings, the solution is to head to Trader Joe's to pick up this perfect pumpkin pair.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Food
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
Even Martha Stewart, the queen of homemaking, enjoys snacking, but one of her go-to choices isn't caviar or shrimp cocktail — it's far more humble.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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News
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
Even the most beloved snacks can get a fresh spin, and this year, Little Debbie is reimagining one of its most popular seasonal items in a whole new way.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Costco
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
If you love shopping at Costco because of the food court, one of its long-time favorites is available as an affordable frozen option for home.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Cleaning Tips
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
So you've steeped your tea and now the bags are headed for the garbage, right? Actually, you could make better use of them in your refrigerator.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Exclusives
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
If you want to renovate your kitchen and replace your countertops, don't automatically jump to quartz. Instead, think about what glass can do.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Costco
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
Beyond its fresh food court pizza and endless free samples, Costco has become a go-to destination for its irresistible lineup of fall-ready foods and snacks.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Trader Joe's
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
Enjoy a refreshing mid-day treat without the Starbucks crowds. This fruit-filled Trader Joe's offering makes it easy to recreate one popular drink at home.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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How-Tos
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
Beyond being unsafe to cook on, a rusted cast iron pan signals that your seasoning layer is gone. Luckily, you don't need harsh chemicals to fix it.
By Lili Kim 12 months ago
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Beer and Wine
By Lili Kim September 25th, 2025
A popular cooking and sipping alcohol gives salt a flavorful, colorful makeover that makes it the perfect finishing touch for cocktails, desserts, and more.
By Lili Kim September 25th, 2025
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