Nothing beats the magic of LA's KTown. Koreatown is a neighborhood bordering Downtown LA as well as Mid-Wilshire, Hollywood and so many other get areas in Los Angeles. It resides in the central east side of town with amazing eateries, siperies, bars, taverns and even music venues like the iconic Wiltern theater off Wilshire/Vermont. You can access public transit via LA Metro, LADOT DASH and it's very own D/Purple Line and B/Red line - though the Purple Line is being extended and serviced the early half of the summer. Driving is still fairly easy, though traffic is extra real during the day and early evening. Loads of scooters, bikes and of course ride share in the area. One of my favorite places to eat is still Monty's Good Burger on Western Avenue between 5th and 6th. Which is also next to Franks and Hanks dive bar and The Artist Tree, both places I support. Discover a ton of karaoke popular spots off 8th like Rosen Karaoke or karaoke w/ cocktails, video games, vendors, patio fun and dancing at the speakeasy Break Room 86, located on the side of The LINE LA hotel off Ardmore Avenue/Wilshire Blvd just across from the Wilshire/Normandie Metro Station. Do K-BBQ at Baekjeong, now on 8th and a local favorite of my favorite k-town human Sarah S. Take in historical buildings, admire the new huge apartment buildings, support small grocers and markets. Get the big essentials at your local Jon's, Ralphs, Vons and of course H Mart. Good bars, fun shopping, magical eats, city scenery the glam and the gritty. Reading at your local Pio Pico Koreatown Branch Library is fundamental as well as at local mom & pop bookshops and stores like SeJong or Happy Bookstore, both on Western Diversity, culture, art, in a foodie and walkable slice of flavor where local meets tourist in this melting pot inspired and thriving with Korean and Asian Culture. It's not the most cost affordable area with so many lavish buildings popping up monthly if not weekly, but it's still KTown at its core. There's nearly two doesn't schools including the Southwestern Law School and the Wilshire Private School (formerly Wilshire Elementary among other names). Festivals and gathering throughout the year especially for major holidays like Korean New Year and Chinese New Year both also often referred to as Lunar New Year in many parts of the world. What is LA if not a city blended of all kinds of people learning, growing and thriving as best they can. Koreatown is without a doubt a huge part of that. read more

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Let's start off with a true fun fact about this community that is highly diverse ethically and is an example of complexity to others. See what I did there, LoL! Besides that it's also known for 24/7 economy and spas and if that's your jam then you need to come get it man! For us foodies it's a paradise of the late night coffee shops, restaurants and Oh Yeah them sweet dessert shops! Yes I know parking can be an issue but that's an easy fix if you come early and make a day trip out of it. And yeah some people make that complaint of homeless and the streets are dirty but you know what, it's OG and that's what's up because it keeps on thriving. And I say this. I drive on her streets cause she's my companion, I walk her streets cause she knows who I am. It's the city I use to live in, the City of Angels, we were once lonely and together now we never cry. No judgment here like some other cities in deep orange and no worrying about labels and what you look like. That's how it should be, a place where you can be you and not looked down upon. Mix that up with amazing food and a fire nightlife and you have yourself this very special place. I'm not writing this because I grew up here I'm just stating the facts! And that's my take on it, Peace out my peeps... read more

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You can always count on Ktown being open during demon hours if you are adventuring near LA and need late night food or if you're trying to find some grub after a concert. Now the main issue with Ktown is parking. You're either immensely lucky or you're circling or parking farther away if you're trying to find free parking, if not, get ready to pay and it's usually much pricier than Little Tokyo. Also, I'm feeling like the driving is more reckless here. I got merged into by a parked Tesla. LIKE WTH MAN YOU HAVE SENSORS AND CAMERAS EVERYWHERE. I digress either way. It's also a more...urine soaked part of LA depending how close you are to public transit. If you get parking garage parking, you're good, if not, you gotta brave walking the streets. I can't say other than some restaurants and cafes (and the fact that it's opened super late) there's any reason for me to willingly go to Ktown since there's always a chance to spawn a world event where I get hit by a car either walking or my car itself, but I do have some favs here like Anju House (formerly Yellow House - not the Grudge one), BTS' favorite Gopchang restaurant, Somemore (actually has a decently sized lot), and Goltong Chicken (man is a KING, an absolute must). The funniest thing that's happened was having to park 40 minutes away in a neighborhood one way and making that trek back and forth. At least it was with a friend and we were chatting and exploring but good god. read more

Koreatown is this is side of LA that never sleeps. With numerous Korean BBQ spots and late-night karaoke bars to trendy cafés, art galleries, and hidden speakeasies, there's always something to do any time of the day, any day of the week. Koreatown isn't just a vibe. It's an experience. And who doesn't love Korean bbq? So many to choose from that you'll never run out of choices and options to visit. read more

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Tourist mode in Los Angeles, California... ...in the largest K-Town outside of Korea! If you want authentic Korean cuisine, merchandise, and experiences, you may want to visit Koreatown in LA! Besides H Mart, there are little shops, bakeries, restaurants, salons, grocery stores, cafes, etc. It's a fun town! You can find free parking on the side streets if you don't want to pay in a parking lot! read more

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Cassell's is still on 6th St., [ We Love it! ] isn't it? It was worth the drive from Venice when I first went there in '72, just for the yet to be named experience & interest which is now known to all Yelpers. Starts with an eff, couple of ohs + to "die" for. 47 years later I found myself driving from Woodland Hills to lunch in K town every Tuesday where my son showed me the ropes. Got hungry just thinking about it. read more

Koreatown - Candy Bacon - Local Flavor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Quality/Quantity - I might be rounding up on this review. Other than the good food and H Mart, there is not much more to see and do here. Message me if I am missing something... Atmosphere - Small few block radius of Korean businesses. Many shopping centers and strip malls of Korean businesses. But people really come here for the FOOD! Service - Okay. Price - Expensive, but that is what is expected for good Korean food. Owner Comment - I was really looking forward to hanging out here, but after spending a few hours, I got bored... But I will still come back every time I am in LA. read more

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People in LA sometimes talk smack about Koreatown. When I told people I was moving back to KTown, a lot of people said "Why??? No one moves BACK there". Well, I did and I'm so happy about it. The rent is expensive, the gentrification is real But for me, all of that is overshadowed by the amazing people, food, businesses and walkability. The main issues in KTown are parking, people who are unhomed and just generally not being the cleanest 'hood. I get it, those things are not great but it all comes with living in a major city. Things are going the way of getting cleaned up. For example, Wilshire & Western has so many new businesses that have gone in. I'm interested to see if the cleanup deteriorates quickly or how that plays out. Best food in the city, hands down. If you are into Korean food, you're set. My person VIP spots~ Best Korean BBQ: Park's ~honorable mentions to Chosun and Mun. AYCE: Gangnam Station plus they win for fun vibes. Best Chinese Korean: I'm still on the hunt for the best so lmk what it is! ~honorable mentions to Zzamong & Young King Best Sullung tang: Sun Nong Dan (preferred location on Western) ~honorable mentions to Han Bat Best Dwaeji Gukbap: Jinsol Gukbap Best Tteokbokki: Yup Dduk Totally Cute Spot: Some More for their bear themed everything & adorable $25 set that looks like tea time. Unique Experiences: Eight has 8 flavors of pork belly they have: original, wine, garlic, herb, curry, miso paste, gochujjang, and ginseng. Combo A has all 8 served like a flight of pork belly. I feel like I've been a ton of places, but there's still so much to explore! Follow @koreatown on IG for regular updates. Plus he's the run club if that's your thing, it's a thing here in KTown. read more

Koreatown - Local Flavor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I'm still going to rate Koreatown at four stars for now. At least from when I visited back this time, although parking greatly improved, I would still just only drop by for a Yelp Event and not to just stop for any reason. it's not like Koreatown is a must-see tourist attraction such as Downtown Los Angeles' Music Center which has been a must-see attraction. However, I had a blast attending the YelpLAEast perk here in KoreaTown, Los Angeles a couple weeks ago. I'd return here again for another Yelp Perk though in the future. read more

Fantastic food but I'd stay on the main streets or park only in the parking lot of where you're going. A friend of mine got robbed at gunpoint on one of the side streets right off Olympic. Funny part is the he lives there and was just walking from his car. read more

Koreatown Los Angeles is the biggest Koreatown in the United States, and it is truly amazing to me everytime I visit Ktown on how great it is. It truly feels like you're in a city in Korea, and you'll see splurges of Korean in any direction you see. Koreatown Los Angeles is located near DTLA, and though it has a heavy presence, because of the location, it looks worn down in a sense. A lot of the signs for restaurants look like you're in Seoul in the 1980s, mainly because Koreatown is just THAT OLD. But don't let the old worn down signs fool you -- there's more than plenty to do here and the food here is one of the BEST in the country. You'll see that even some of the restuarants here are better than some in South Korea. My personal favorite restuarants here are... - Sun Nong Dan (Galbi Jjim with Cheese is a MUST) - Eighth Street Soondae - Dah Rae Ok (Smoked Duck) - Jae Bu Do (Grilled Seafood) - Ahgassi Gopchang - Crab House (Marinated Soy Crabs) - It's Boba Time You'll also be able to find great Korean franchises that are big in Korea here as well, such as.. - Yupdduk - Kyochon Chicken - Pelicana - Tom N Toms Coffee There's a saying that people who live in Koreatown never have to leave the vicinity because they can do everything here. And people who live here can live here without knowing the tiniest bit of English. Ktown is truly a gem and I am awestruck every time I come here and every time I come -- there's more I want to check out. I am very thankful for Ktown LA and I cannot wait to return again. Though it may be dirty and dangerous in some parts of LA, I am very thankful for Ktown LA and I cannot wait to return again. read more

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Where I grew up until I moved right before high school yet kept coming back because it's home. I always come back and I always leave sad. Come here for the nightclubs for the coffee and for nostalgia. Now i live maybe like 20 miles away but i still always come back or take the long way home :) read more

This was my first venture into Koreatown LA. I was told this was the biggest K-Town in all of U.S., and now I can see why. It's massive...and sort of stretches out in all directions from the Wilshire area. Couldn't really tell where the K-Town started or ended? I tried to explore as much as I could...mostly on foot...and wasn't able to conquer all during my stay. Of course, I concentrated mostly on Korean food while I was there, skipping some big landmarks, like its exclusive movie theater (CGV?), popular Karaoke bars, and more. I did, however, explore 2 of its main shopping malls, the Koreatown Plaza and the Koreatown Galleria...both of which were decent-sized malls of decent caliber (not the swankiest in LA, but impressive for ethnic malls in U.S.). Compared to the truly swanky malls I've seen in Seoul, Korea, these malls are actually a bad representation. I've noticed that all throughout U.S., unlike most Chinatowns, or even Japantowns, Koreatowns don't have much of an "Asian" theme. Here in LA, for instance, it's sort of a random mix...with lots restaurants and retails every which way...and yes, quite busy. I'd say the overall theme would be that of a bustling, foreign metro (definitely Asian, but not as much as Chinatowns or Japantowns). I wasn't too impressed with the aesthetic aspect of the town. It wasn't trashy as far as little, ethnic towns go, but it was busy, loud, yet non-descript...and again, random! However, it did have bursts of metro...and offered alot of action... primarily in terms of eating and drinking. Overall, I did enjoy what K-Town had to offer...especially given that I AM Korean, and a fan of most Korean foods (ones that don't kill you with spiciness, that is!). Honestly, given that I wasn't able to conquer ALL of K-Town in a week, I might have missed some huge things here. Given the scope of the place, and its long list of restaurants, you probably need at least 2-3 weeks to conquer all of it. read more

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Coming from out of town, Koreatown turned out a little different than imagined. It is less compact, more loose, and more trashy than depicted in popular media. Lots of restaurants are in the vicinity but they're not all right next to each other. We stayed here during our stay so we had easy access to the good stuff here but if you are driving here, parking can be difficult and will likely cost you. It is somewhat sketchy at night in some streets. read more

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Known primarily for the endless bars, karaoke joints, Korean BBQ, & fun night life..... this is the perfect place to visit for those who love all things KOREAN! Parking can be such a headache but worth your time and effort if you are into stuffing your face with amazing eats, shopping for Korean made products, purchasing homemade crafts, or basking in the breathtaking street art. Five stars simply thanks to the food variety available in K-Town!!! Believe it or not, the food selection doesn't solely focus on Korean cuisine. The additional options range from southern soul food, cajun, middle eastern, & Hawaiian [just to name a few]. Definitely a must visit for anyone who is interesting in a fun night of booze & partying or your average foodie looking for delicious goods to stuff their face with. read more

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The good: I love coming to Koreatown. It's the US's largest Korean neighborhood. You can find some delicious foods here. I always feel inspired to learn more about Korean cuisine when I come here.I feel transported to a different world and I love Korean food and culture. Come here for K-BBQ, karaoke, beauty needs, Korean shaved ice, K-pop stores, night clubs and shopping. The bad: It feels dirty on half the streets here. You'll see stores with metal bars in front to protect it, dirty sidewalks, crowded areas with high traffic. Sometimes stores don't have signs in English so I have no idea what type of business they are. I am so curious too! The interesting: A decade ago, they shot a MTV TV show called K-town that was similar to Jersey Shore. I don't know what became of the show or why it wasn't as popular or successful as Jersey Shore. read more

This is definitely a great spot for delicious food where restaurants are open and bustling full of diners and bar hoppers at 4AM. Even if you are living on the westside, it's still worth the drive over to grab some great bites in this area and do a little shopping. It's a must if you're from out-of-town. It's one of my favorite parts of the Greater Los Angeles area. There's tons of options in K-Town and with a little luck, parking could be a breeze. We usually just pay the valet. It's not that difficult. Did I say that the food options are endless here? Authentic. Affordable. Appetizing. Oh yea. Definitely plan on going to the Los Angeles Korean Festival which is an annual four day event usually held the first weekend in October. The streets are filled with thousands (YES. 1000s!) of people. This is one of my favorite festivals in L.A. that offers tons of street foods, Korean products, K-Pop and entertainment complete with a massive Korean Parade on Olympic Boulevard in Koreatown, famous Korean influencers and many leaders in the Korean community. It's pretty cool. Love K-Town! read more

Our daughter lives in Koreatown, so we've spent more time there over the past year and a half than ever before. It sprawls over a large area, with a wide array of business options. There are chain restaurants, there are independent ones, there are cheap eats and not so cheap. Some plazas are newer and very nice, while some look like a zoning disaster; a total hodge podge. One thing is universal - parking is a giant headache. Often non-existent, double parking on narrow streets can be the only way to cope with a quick unloading situation. The Wilshire corridor is the more visually organized part of the neighborhood. Signature apartment buildings sport neon signage, visible from a distance. Others are non-distinct and packed close together. It's a busy part of L.A, to be sure. read more

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I am a lover of cultures, and my new adventure is getting to know east Asian cultures. The first place that popped into my mind was Koreatown, so now I'm exploring the nooks and crannies that make up this great town. Thus far, I've checked out a few Korean BBQ places, the tofu house, and several cafes. Now I intend to check out some nightclubs here, once school and work allows me to. It will be cultural immersion, and one I will enjoy. I have found the cafes here to be ideal for studying. This is mainly because people actually study in these cafes, and are not too noisy. The food at these cafes are pretty delicious and higher quality. The coffee options are great too. Although this review comes in the early days of my exploration of this town, stay tuned for updates and plenty of photos. read more

Koreatown - Local Flavor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I am a little disappointed with this place. I guess I was expecting to see a lot more or little market stands selling fresh produce everywhere. Their were lots of small malls or plazas to eat, stores to shop and even had their own Public Korea library but the areas around were dirty, smelly like urine and garbage, and there were bums everywhere! They did have my favorite cream puff place- Beard Papa's. They had so many boba places it was not funny. They had 'I love Boba', boba story, boba time, mr boba, and more...I guess they don't like Boba?! Hahaha I can't get this out of my head but there was one restaurant we wanted to try within Koreatown or passed by it. It was like a hole in the wall restaurant but had over 1k good reviews. We sat down at our table and decided this was not the place for us. The place smelled so unclean like urine and garage that I had to leave. How can your meal taste good with that smell? I thought it would be a little more crowded here during the summer but I guess not? This shows me this is not the best place to go. What a bummer! read more

Koreatown - Local Flavor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I was here last month and boy it really felt like I'm in Korea here. Lots of shops in Koreans(way more Koreans than Vancouver), Paris Baguette the one of famous Korean bakery chain,MBC store and plenty of Korean restos to try. Great thing for me was no jet lag. Yay! I'd get so tired just to fly to Korea and LA got most of everything here. I was amazed K-Town got much bigger selection in Korean grocery store comparing to the ones in Vancouver(Canada). I was able to find more seafood (eg. seasquirt, ), fruit flavoured soju, CGV theatre and tons of Korean saunas. ALSO it's sunny in LA 24/7 whereas the weather is so rainy in Vancouver. I didn't like seeing lots of homeless people and nobody seemed to be walking around here at night. So we took Uber few times. I even saw homeless sleeping in metro station. Would be awesome if CDN/US$ conversion rate gets better one day. read more

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We've been to Koreatown before in passing, visiting friends, going to Wiltern, etc. We kept reading lately articles on Koreatown, how cool it's getting, so for my b-day, we decided to take the subway (Wilshire/Western) and explore the area on foot. It wasn't my brightest idea about celebrating my b-day. I guess I wasn't that inspired. Koreatown isn't as charming as Chinatown or upscale like Little Tokyo. It's more spread out, lacks charm, personality, sure, there are some new restaurants that popped up lately, but I wasn't impressed with them. The malls are old, outdated, with few stores of interest inside (some lack stores, are half empty), bakeries are hard to find on the streets, the Koreatown Pavilion garden was very small, gated, and so we couldn't sit and rest. It lacks the ethnicity. Yes, there are some cool, old, historic buildings around, yes, there is the Gaylord and other nice buildings in the area. But in terms of activities, hard to find things to do, especially cultural ones. Barely any opportunities for shopping, it's busy, loud to walk the streets. It doesn't justify going to Koreatown as a destination. If you're visiting LA, go to Chinatown or Little Tokyo instead, there are more things to do and see, it's more fun and enjoyable to walk around. If you live in LA, go at your own risk if you have to do something in the area? Koreatown was a disappointing part of town to explore, it lacks character. read more

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As I had previously given my review on New York's Koreatown and a former "could have lived near New York's Koreatown", I'll give my review according to comparisons I could come up with. I highly recommend LA's Koreatown for food, and there's plenty of it and a lot to choose from. LA's Koreatown is packed with Korean restaurants, cafes, dentists, doctors, pat-bing-su places, etc. Residents are lucky to have such things accessible to them and lucky enough that they don't have to leave LA's Koreatown for a doctor's appointment or dentist's appointment. Whereas New York's Koreatown is a measly block, LA's spreads streets upon streets. Now, I wouldn't ever move to LA's Koreatown like I was going to move into a New York apartment of a Korean mom and her son with the living room as my living space during the duration of my time as a student at CU, even if I was ever to become a nursing student at UCLA. I'm just not as desperate to live in the Koreatown of LA or would it be a necessity like it was in NYC. I don't even know what apartment costs are like in LA's Koreatown, but I'm pretty sure it's not cheap. I guess the situation in New York was such that a Korean mom living with her son could opt to rent out her place whereas I assume Koreans in LA aren't as needy. I prefer LA's Koreatown for it's social scene and food options over NY's Koreatown, even though one time I was invited by a couple of college friend to karaoke at NY's Koreatown and I imagine it would have been super fun to karaoke in NY's Koreatown. read more

According to koreanbeacon.com, there are 7 major Korean American cities in the US. You know them as Seattle, LA, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, and New York. Can you guess which city they ranked as being the "Number One Most Korean American City?" You guessed it, yours truly - Los Angeles. (http://www.koreanbeacon.com/2011/09/10/top-5-most-korean-american-cities-los-angeles/) Koreatown is a 3 square mile area of the Mid-Wilshire district. This neighborhood is among the most diverse in the country and has one of the highest population densities in all of LA and the US. There are roughly 325,000 Korean Americans living in the City of Angels, according to the 2010 US Census. If you believed that Koreans were the majority in this area, you thought wrong. Latinos are the largest ethnic demographic at 55% and my people comprise of around 25% of the population. With this rich diversity between two powerful cultures, there's a new kind of ethnic mosaic emerging between the Koreans and the Latinos. If you haven't taken a look around Koreatown lately, both groups collaborate and prosper from each other. Koreans are learning Spanish and the Latinos are learning Korean, both in alarming rates. Korean businesses cannot survive without the hard working Latino workforce. I don't know how refreshing it is for me to see Latinos enjoy Korean restaurants or how many of the latest food trucks offer classic Mexican food with a Korean twist. Another indication that I've noticed lately is our common love of the true professional teams in LA, the Lakers and the LA Dodgers of Los Angeles (Los Doyers y Los Lakers por los latinos). Here are 8 Things To Know About LA's Koreatown, according to CNN. (http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/travel/koreatown-los-angeles) Koreatown is known for it's historic buildings, commerical/residential towers, nightlife, noraebangs (karaoke rooms), shopping, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. Here are some noteworthy locations. Chapman Plaza If you can't find something to eat, drink, or partake at this historic plaza, then you've got issues. Did you know that the Chapman Market had the world's first drive-thru grocery store/market in the late 20's? Koreatown Plaza The OG Korean shopping center in Koreatown. 3 floors of shopping and eating. I'm sure most Yelpers love that. Koreatown Galleria My first mall of choice when hitting Koreatown. Best Korean Food Court, located on the 2nd floor. Brown Derby Plaza Yelp favorites include the Boiling Crab, Cafe Home, Honeymee, and Wako Donkasu. (http://visitkoreatown.org/tag/brown-derby-plaza/). A quiet place to grab a quick drink would be The Red. VIBE A popular nightclub in the heart of Koreatown. They've changed their name so many times (aka - Le Prive, Le Cercle) that even I get confused. The Belasco Try squeezing 3000 people into the one of the most popular multi-purpose event and entertainment complexes in LA. A relic of the early 1900's, this theater houses one of the best sound and lighting systems around. Hidden Gems of Koreatown A visual slideshow of various venues from Refinery 29. (http://www.refinery29.com/koreatown-restaurants-los-angeles) Best Koreatown Beer Joints Do you have the Hite requirement to enter these happening hot spots? (http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2012/03/5_koreatown_beer_joints.php) Top 5 ACYE Korean BBQ in LA According to Korean Beacon that is. I'm not an AYCE fan, but I'm sure that you are. (http://www.koreanbeacon.com/2011/07/22/top-5-ayce-korean-bbq-in-la/). If I think rationally, a unique individual like you will have your own personal favorites when it comes to the best places to wine and dine in Koreatown. Go forth my friends - review, conquer, and don't forget to post them on YELP. read more

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Jjang! Crappy Drivers, Stinking Streets, Zilch Free Parking and Stupid Valet guys plague this area and make me cringe. But, Ktown has the best K-food imaginable, the nicest shop owners and some of the coolest and most unique people you could possibly meet in LA. Diversity reigns supreme here but it is the Korean population that makes this area so unique. The best artsy cafes are here. Art, Fashion, Good Coffee and "Dank" shave snow,-ice cream plates/desserts dot this area on every corner. Speaking of dessert, Sundae is not an ice cream. You can't find any decent Sundae (Soondae) outside of Ktown. In Ktown, sundae is served in every way imaginable..even with delicious seafood. What else?? How about KFC (k-Fried Chicken), fun bars and some of the best dessert places you can find. It's not all about the KBBQ..but yup yup you find the best bbq places here, too. Don't forget about the top of the line beauty salons and shopping! A trip to Korea will cost me thousands. A trip here costs me a mere $20, a small headache and a couple of car scratches and dents...totally worth it! In one word, Ktown is simply "Jjang!" read more

Koreantown or as the native Angelinos would call it K-TOWN. Forget Disneyland, Vegas, or the Bahamas. To me K-Town represents my personal Graceland and the happiest place on earth. An unique ethnic enclave that is tucked away in the heart of Los Angeles with a rich history and an even more interesting group of inhabitants make this one of the most interestin' places in LAAAH. (You gotta have that Korean Twang when you say it) and a must see for any individual who is lookin' for good food, bad karaoke moments, drunken nights of debauchery that end with shit talking, Hodori, and possibly a fight or getting laid if you're lucky. Wilshire/Western/Vermont (Need I say more?) My former Asian American Studies professor said: Kyeyoung Park, refer to Koreatown as a "corporate boomtown". As a result of the redevelopment, however, Koreatown has slowly become more and more gentrified, creating a large divide between the affluent upperclass Korean residents and the underprivileged Latino and Korean communities. Furthermore, recent media has portrayed Koreatown as a "24-hour entertainment enclave" due to the large influx of high-end spas, shops, and night clubs. Significant events in K-Town: 1 9 9 2 L A R I O T S (S A-I-G-U-) Community Leader and former Professor Angela Oh said, "The Day that the Korean-American experience was born" 1. More than 2,000 Businesses were destroyed in K-town at that time. 2. 90% of all the Korean Liquor stores were torched or destroyed during the Riots. My Favorite places to eat in K-Town: 2. Road to Seoul http://www.yelp.com/biz/road-to-seoul-los-angeles#hrid:yrPwHNsx2q3LBPy-s4aHQA 3. Hodori http://www.yelp.com/biz/hodori-restaurant-los-angeles#hrid:vXPjpP32jcu3uVHbf_d8aA 4. Yssi Hwa Ro http://www.yelp.com/biz/yi-ssi-hwa-ro-los-angeles#hrid:q8ogN2oKtqz-Grqkgc91GQ 5. Chosun Galbee (The Creme de Le Creme for Korean BBQ in K-Town) http://www.yelp.com/biz/chosun-galbee-los-angeles#hrid:dGq9xHDk0DjpmEeRnwIa3w Places I avoid in K-Town: 1. Manna: Korean BBQ Vanilla face central http://www.yelp.com/biz/manna-korean-bbq-los-angeles#hrid:BSC-5drVBebBowltJz8TNw *If it's your birthday rest assured you will get a champagne shower. 2. Hae Jang Chon: (So Overrated) http://www.yelp.com/biz/hae-jang-chon-korean-bbq-restaurant-los-angeles#hrid:57h6Qht5JcyVUtFQO43ZZQ 3. BCD Tofu House: (Not a fan of Tofu or Tofu houses like BCD) http://www.yelp.com/biz/bcd-tofu-house-los-angeles#hrid:0UcQdy-gReNDG0WLB-R3ig 4. Tahoe Galbi: (Meh) http://www.yelp.com/biz/tahoe-galbi-los-angeles#hrid:p1ZfGfIffJGSmCibRt2Nrw 5. HAUS Desserts http://www.yelp.com/biz/haus-dessert-boutique-los-angeles#hrid:QkUXBz9KBMUq-VXrnwT9GQ 6. Bowling at Shatto 39 http://www.yelp.com/biz/shatto-39-lanes-los-angeles#hrid:N-djer-WYDtdVREu6POL2Q K-Town Inhabitants: 1. The K-Town Sexy Mama: Tall, Slender, Double Eye lids, Hoochie heels, Gucci Bag. Whiny Korean Accent who can be often at times seen holding a warm water bottle. 2. The K-Town tough guy: Shaved head, deeper Whiny accent, Sold color clothes, and mean demeanor. Important key terms to know when in a K-Town restaurant 1. "CHUGGYIYOO" - The Korean Equivalent to "Hey you" (Often used to get people's attention in Korean Restaurants) 2. "Muurrr"- Water 3. "Bap"- Rice 4. "Something Something.... Juuu Saayy yoo" - Substitute "Something" with anything from Bulgogi, Rice paper, your phone number and it signifies more of something. 5. "Emo"- Polite form of saying Older woman. 6. "Juu gaa ley?" (Refrain from saying this to High school Korean Gang Bangers, middle aged Ajumas behind the counter, and Latino parkin' attendants. It litterally means "DO YOU WANT TO DIE" 7. "Mii Cha Soo?" An extension of Key term #6. Literally translate to "Are your crazy?" * Note. Excess consumption of Hite beer has been known to give residual side effects such as: Verbal Diarrhea, Thinkin' you're invincible in K-town, you're the new hottest Korean boyband lead singer, and possibly getting your ass kicked. *Remember to add heavy emphasis on the whininess on your voice for a super authentic Korean Accent & to ask everything as if it's a question * Another important aspect about K-Town is: B O O K I N G /N O R A E B A N G * In a Korean club, it's a bit classier than your usual run of the mill American style meat market.. No.." HEY..... WHATS YOUR NAME? WHAT??? COOL. WHAT DO YOU DO?" There is none of that however it's basically bottle service. If you're an Asian female imagine a skinny Asian waiter dragging you by the wrist and sittin' you down at a table full of Korean dudes. Think of it as a mix between Prostitution, speed dating, and American clubbing. * Noraebong is Karaoke* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSNLF-8sO4&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7wWehAMcb0&feature=relmfu A beginner's guide to K-Town 1. http://www.travelchannel.com/video/las-koreatown 2. Chicken + Shit + House = Chicken Gizzard *Toodleooo.. read more

Koreatown, Ktown, or simply just The Town by fobs, is where I was born and raised babyyy. This is my ole stomping grounds, I went to Hobart Elementary, Virgil Jr High, and L.A. High.. so I'm a product of the LAUSD..I was young back then but I witnessed the 1992 L.A. Riots or Sa-I-Gu.. It was Koreans' welcoming to America!..LOL.. Damn Koreans... you people are not wanted here!!..I remember that big peace parade the day after..and how all the Korean families with money moved to the suburbs like Fullerton and Garden Grove to escape the urban plight.. times have changed. The neighborhood was burnt up and tore down back then and there was nothing but gangs and drugs running the streets.. pretty much just negativity all around growing up in the 90's.. An infamous Salvadorian street gang started in Ardmore Park in the mid 80's. I first tripped out when I heard about them on the news and how they spread everywhere because of getting deported in the late 90's back to Central America..the Salvi homies I knew were cool though, along with some bomb pupusas from Texis.. A highlight of good memories was the 2002 World Cup when the Red Devils, the Korea national soccer team made it to the final 16.. the whole neighborhood was celebrating at 3am in the streets.. good times.. Ktown was always diverse though..Filipinos had 3rd and Vermont on lock with Seafood City and DJ's for cheap Filipino tapsilog breakfast..Little Bangladesh, which popped up out of nowhere overnight is doing their thing.. I think Koreatown is safe from gentrification from hipsters for now, because folks want us to retain our different ethnic identities and enclaves. It's come a long way and it's come around, being trendy now more than ever. Can't say L.A. without saying Ktown nowadays, it's synonymous with the City of Angels itself.. this is finally our home... read more

Koreatown - A crowd of more than a thousand rallied in Koreatown on May 2, 1992, calling for healing between Koreans and blacks.. - Local Flavor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Yes, I'm a fan of Koreatown. There's so much to do. So much to see. Something for just about everybody. The only thing missing is abundant parking. But that's LA for you. As for the driving, it is what it is. It's LA so the combination of Asian drivers, tourists as well as quite possibly the inebriated, you just have to practice caution because it can get crazy out there - or anywhere for that matter. I like going to Koreatown for the food. It's relatively inexpensive and of decent quality. Service can be a little trying but having dated a Korean woman in my past, I learned enough of the language not to be treated like a leper in those restaurants where English is limited. read more

I freaking love KTown. If you want good food, KTown is the place to go. My favorite Korean restaurants in KTown are Hangari Kalguksu, Sun Nong Dan, Kang Ho-Dong Baekjeong, OB Bear, Yangji Gamjatang, JJukku JJukku BBQ, Eight Korean BBQ, Oo-Kook Korean BBQ, Quarters Korean BBQ and many many more. They not only offer great Korean cuisine but they have many others as well. Oh, and if you are in the mood to drink, there are some great bars and speakeasies. read more

I love L.A.! We are surrounded by so much culture, it's amazing. I'm a frequent visitor to the Korean day spas and restaurants in this little pocket.. and you will find the most authentic of both plus more in this neighborhood. Celebrate diversity and culture...and the melting pot of THE CITY OF ANGELS. read more

OK, so I am now convinced (well, i really didn't need yelp to confirm this) that every restaurant in Korea Town (K-TOWN) is delicious. Almost every single restaurant has 4-5 stars!! WHY?? because K-town is full of Koreans and Koreans are hard critics, therefore, you have to be perfect or you will not survive as a business there. I miss LA so much for this reason...I miss all the amazing Korean restaurants and eateries. Sul lung tang is what i am soooo craving right now. I guess you can't go wrong with over 2 million Koreans in that area. Love it! GOOD JOB KOREANS :) read more

If you miss South Korea, just spend an afternoon here, and you'll forget you're in LA. Koreatown seriously reminds me of Seoul. So many restaurants, spa's, flower shops, hair salons and churches in the area. It is mixed with a fair amount of Hispanic markets and swap meets as well. When you walk down western/wilshire, it's pretty easy to spot a Korean cafe, Korean people outside smoking/chilling and Korean cars or expensive ones cruising down the streets. read more

Koreatown - Local Flavor Near Me - Los Angeles, California

There are 4 main things to do in Koreatown 1) Bar Hopping/ Drinking/ Lounging 2) Korean AYCE BBQ 3) Karaoke 4) Korean Coffee Shops Just recently my "White" friend was getting married and wanted to do a non traditional bachelor party, therefore he wanted me to show him and his 10 other "white" friends what Koreatown was all about. We headed over to Moo Dae Poo II to eat all you can eat BBQ. My friends loved the loud, fun atmosphere, with music videos showing on Plasma TVS, disco lights and lasers flashing sporadically and music being bumped up loudly. They enjoyed the eclectic variety of meat, trying intestines, octopus and tongue for the first time. Afterward we headed over to Chapman plaza and they were amazed how nice it looked. I took them to a hookah coffee shop to drink some Korean tea and smoking on some Mediterranean Hookahs. That was quite relaxing and fun. Then we headed to Bobos to drink and sing songs! Most of my friends never seen a Karaoke places nor sang a song before. It was a great treat. Lastly, we relaxed at a oasis called Hyeri coffee shop to eat desserts and relax over a hot fire pit. Koreatown is full of surprises. What I told my friends is that when you drive through K-town everything on the outside looks ghetto. But once you set fit inside an establishment everything will amaze you. read more

Having a sister that is obsessed everything about Korean, we had to stop by. We are lovers of cultures so definitely good to see what are Korean'ish. There is a food court area - too bad we were full to try it. Parking is plentiful and free. The space was open layout and very well kept - which shows pride in owners and tenants. There is a grocery store on the bottom floor. For all of your asian inspired needs. There are a couple of make-up store that a make-up/hair aficionado would loose time in. A couple of clothing/shoe store. The price was a lot higher than expected, but not sure if they were in dollars or that Korean's pay for quality. It didn't look like RUE21 quality items (I shop at RUE for their varietal offerings :) ), but a little more quality. A couple of toy stores that kids would love. A CD/Movie store that my sister squealed when she saw posters, cd's, other concert paraphernalia's available for purchase. For most of Korean needs - i think you can get it here! read more

This place is definitely one of my favorite k-towns in the US. The food here is so good, but on the pricer side of other k-towns, but the food is always fresh and good; so definitely worth it. I do like finding desserts in the area because it's always so photo-worthy and yummy. The ice creams and soft serves are on point here. I always find myself coming here when I'm in town. I'm sure I'll come again. read more

Decided to stay a week in Ktown after seeing BTS at the Rosebowl. Went to a kpop concert might as well stay in Ktown. I didn't want to stay anywhere else and had no interest in doing the typical touristy things that I've already done before in LA. Koreatown is huge. Things to see, eat, and do on every corner. Bars, Karaoke, food, and shopping. Some side streets are a little dirty and got homeless chillin on the street, but they don't really bother you. I stayed a week and probably didn't discover half of it. There is even mexican food, indian, and other cuisines here. Overall, I did enjoy my stay and would come visit again. read more

K-Town is great!! The only thing that's not so great there is the crazy drivers. Too many crazy drivers there...seriously people drive like there's no traffic law. The unofficial boundaries: Beverly Blvd, Westmoreland Ave, Olympic Blvd, Crenshaw Blvd-Wilton Pl. Entertainment, food and booze = K-Town. Everywhere you go you can see billiard places, karaoke bars and bars. Great restaurants are everywhere; ayce korean bbq, fried chicken, fusion pizza, noodles, soon tofu and don't forget fro-yo and korean mochi (not to be mistaken with Japanese mochi). My favorite eats at K-Town: Soot Bull Jeep, Kyo-Chon, Dae Sung Oak, Buffet Land, Park's BBQ, BCD Soon Tofu and Pink Berry. Some of the shopping centers there: Koreatown Galleria (highly recommended-see my review), Aroma Center and Koreatown Plaza. Go to Kim's Home Center for household items. Buy pastries from the bakeries, they have the lightest and not too sweet cream. Make sure you buy marinated bulgogi/kalbi and ban chan before you go home from the supermarket. I usually cook the marinated meat and mix it with ban chan from the market plus steam rice to make my own bi bim bap @ home. read more

Is it bad that I am drooling just thinking about K-Town? I seriously could sit down to about one serving of bulgogi and forget everything else! There are a ton of great restaurants here. There really are. There are also some pretty shoddy restaurants here too. Beware of the roads as they need to be repaired with a passion. At least the main thoroughfares. A number of the side streets are pretty nice I must say after having driven around trying to find parking. They have some fun events now and then like bike rides and festivals at a park or two. Pro Tip: Parking is a nightmare, so if you see a spot, swoop dat ish fast! But make sure you have enough coins or cash to pay the piper... However this part of town is known for its Barbeque... and we aint talken texass brisket or ribs... we are talken galbi, bulgogi, short ribs, brisket, etc etc etc... those delightful Korean delicacies that have made the rest of the world go crazy for it in AYCE portions... I love coming to K-Town and eating till I am rolled out of the restaurant by the staff, my friends or whomever... none the less I will rinse n repeat as often as I think I can. This is an atkins dieter's dream city... Maybe I will even run into you there one of these days =) read more

#003/100 2015 Yelp Challenge L.A. Koreantown also known as AKA "Ktown" is the largest Koreatown outside of Korea. Located in Central Los Angeles in between Hollywood and Downtown. Did you know this is the most crowded area in Los Angeles? I bet you didn't know that, neither do I till today. Ktown isn't something in top of the to do list among tourist, however this is something like weekly visit among many local resident especially among the Asian. This isn't just the place for Korean, there's a lot non Korean visit here as well. If you ask a local, where to find the best Korean food or KBBQ, about 9 out of 10 would suggest you visit Ktown, the amount of restaurant especially KBBQ in Ktown just insane. There are so many out here, the best selling point of KBBQ is many of them has AYCE which is All you can eat. Price range from $10 to $20 something that let you eat as many meats you could. This is popular among many local, who prefer this than a typical steakhouse that would cost double and doesn't offer much food in some case. As much I like Ktown, there are some area clearly isn't good. That's the crime rate in this area, is quite high and can be dangerous in late hours. Parking is hit and miss, street parking can be hard to find. But most of the resident area is free and you can find it. Majority of business in Ktown has parking validation, not free but I hear is free if you speak Korean in somecase. You can just find anything associate Korean in Ktown except North Korea.... There's hundreds of restaurant, dozens of karaoke, clothing, and grocery here. If you had any interest in Korea, then this should be your top of the bucket list. After this is the Korea Mecca outside Korea . read more

Koreatown, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: 1) Proximity to the subway (yes, L.A. has a subway!!!) 2) The Prince (former British pub, present...well, just check it out) 3) Brass Monkey (best karaoke bar in L.A., most likely to spot a celebrity at...) 4) R Bar (best bar you need a password for) 5) Bohemian (best bar to see a waitress wearing a school-girl outfit) 6) Chapman Market Building (best historic building) 7) Catalina Ritz (best apartments) 8) Dan Sung Sa (best restaurant with Kim Jung Il on the billboard) 9) Tahoe Galbi (best all you can eat Korean BBQ) 10) Mr. Pizza (best Korean-style pizza joint) This is a magnificent, busy cultural center of Los Angeles. Visit, enjoy, spread the word. read more