The Ultimate Guide to Koreatown Los Angeles

Are you ready to explore Koreatown Los Angeles? There are so many things to do in Koreatown!

Without a doubt, Koreatown LA is the most urban and bustling neighborhood in Los Angeles.

I absolutely love Ktown – it’s one of my favorite places to be! In fact, I even called it home for six months in 2020.

My apartment was right in the heart of all the action at Wilshire and Vermont – it could be pretty chaotic at times, but that’s what made it so much fun!

Party-goers rejoice over Ktown’s karaoke, bars, and clubs. Architecture buffs love the area’s stunning Art Deco design and buildings.

There’s truly something for everyone here. Let’s dive into Koreatown, Los Angeles!

Overview of Koreatown

A tall building with a clock tower in the background. — *This Koreatown guide contains affiliate links, which means I might make a little bit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me continue providing high-quality content for free.*

Did you know that Koreatown is only 3 square miles?

Yep, even though this neighborhood is tiny, it’s one of the most dense parts of Los Angeles.

There are a ton of restaurants, bars, and live music venues here.

Koreatown is known by locals as Ktown, and today, it’s one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in LA. Extremely walkable, the area is truly a world of its own.

If you’re looking to discover a part of Los Angeles that is truly locals-only and NOT touristy, Koreatown is an excellent choice.

There are many hidden gems here that you’ll LOVE uncovering.

A Brief History of Ktown LA

Tall buildings in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

In 1904, the first Koreans moved to Los Angeles. They were restricted to living in the area which is now known as Koreatown.

Soon, businesses, restaurants, and places of worship came to life despite the fact that many immigrants faced racism and anti-Asian discrimination.

Korean immigrants and their children faced many hardships. But they continued to persevere.

Today, Koreatown is incredibly diverse. Half of residents are Latino/a, and one-third identify as Asian (Los Angeles Times).

One of the most interesting things about Koreatown is the diversity of cultures. You can find boba tea on one block and traditional Mexican cuisine on the next.

There is truly no other place on earth like Koreatown, Los Angeles.

How to Get Around Koreatown Angeles

A large building with a sign that says metro.

BY CAR: Koreatown is centrally located, so you can get here by car from almost any part of Los Angeles.

However, street parking is extremely difficult to find here. Trust me, I lived in Koreatown and spent wayyy too much time circling the block for parking 😬

Using Uber or Lyft is a really good idea, so you don’t have to worry about parking!

If you decide to drive, you can usually find parking in a lot for about $10-20 per day.

🚘 Check Car Rental Rates 🚘

BY TRANSIT: There’s tons of public transit in Koreatown.

The Metro is LA’s rail system. The Metro D Line and B Line run parallel to one another through Koreatown, up until the Wilshire/Vermont station.

From there, the D Line runs through most of Ktown until its final stop at Wilshire/Western.

Multiple bus lines also run through all of Koreatown.

It costs $1.75 per ride. As of 2023, the new fare capping system limits your spending. The most you’ll pay is $5 in one day and $18 within 7 days.

I drive in LA, and I also frequently ride the Metro in LA. It’s usually pretty safe, but you do want to be cautious and aware of your surroundings.

Things to Do in Koreatown LA

You’ll never run out of things to do in Koreatown Los Angeles! There are so many exciting and fun things to do in Koreatown.

Even if it’s just a simple walk through the side streets to admire the architecture and take photos, you’ll have a great time exploring this neighborhood.

Wiltern Theatre

Located in Koreatown Los Angeles, the Wiltern Theater is a popular spot for entertainment. With its prominent sign that reads "Wiltern Theater," it offers a variety of movies and serves as one

First up, The Wiltern, one of the most popular places to see a live show in LA.

Originally opened in 1931 as a movie theater, The Wiltern has since become a popular destination for live music and other events.

I’ve been there to see Feist, Blink 182, and my favorite podcast, Girls Gotta Eat.

And, did you know? The Wiltern has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Prince. Incredible!

Chapman Plaza

A truck is parked in front of a building.

Originally built in 1929, Chapman Plaza has a very cool Spanish-style look to it. You’ll find restaurants, cafes, and specialty shops within the plaza.

My favorite restaurant at Chapman Plaza is the sushi spot, Sake House by Hikari. They have a great happy hour!

There’s also a store in Chapman Plaza that sells Korean skincare products (K-beauty), which are super popular now. If you haven’t yet discovered the world of K-beauty, you absolutely must!

Keep in mind, Chapman Plaza is easy to pass up if you don’t know where it is. It’s definitely one of LA’s hidden gems and one of the top things to do in Koreatown.

Karaoke

If you love karaoke, you’ve come to the right neighborhood! There are tons of karaoke bars in Koreatown.

A few favorites among LA locals are Café Brass Monkey, Gaam Karaoke (also known as K-Pop Karaoke), and Max Karaoke Studio, the latter of which is great for private parties.

Where to Eat In Koreatown Los Angeles

a typical korean meal in koreatown los angeles

Foodies, rejoice. You’ll love the dining options in Koreatown.

As you might imagine, you can find incredible Korean cuisine in the neighborhood.

Whether you’re savoring the famous Korean BBQ that everyone always talks about or trying lesser-known dishes, like Jjajangmyeo or bibimbap, you will love exploring Korean cuisine!

That said, you’ll also find plenty of non-Korean food options in this neighborhood.

Because Koreatown has a large Latino/a community, you’ll find amazing restaurants offering Mexican, Salvadoran, and Colombian food, along with specialty grocery stores with items imported from all over Latin America.

With its large Latino/a community, there are so many amazing restaurants to try out that offer mouth-watering Mexican, Salvadoran, and Colombian food.

And, if you’re into specialty grocery stores, you’ll be thrilled to shop a wide variety of imported items from all over Latin America.

Koreatown is definitely a foodie’s paradise!

Park’s BBQ

Come to Park’s for a classic Korean BBQ experience.

Featured in Netflix’s Ugly Delicious and also frequented by celebrities (see the ‘wall of fame’ at the entrance), this restaurant is known for its delicious meats and Korean side dishes like kimchi.

A bit pricey, but worth it for a tasty feast!

955 S Vermont Ave G, Los Angeles, CA

BCD Tofu House

A sign for bcd on the side of a building, featured in the ultimate guide to Koreatown Los Angeles.

If BBQ isn’t your vibe for the day, but you still want to have Korean cuisine – go to BCD Tofu House.

Here, you’ll find stone pots full of soondubu, as well as other Korean classics like bibimbap and bulgogi.

Open late (weeknights until 12am; weekends until 4am!), BCD Tofu House is great for a meal after doing some dancing at the bar.

3575 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Guelaguetza

A vibrant building in Koreatown, Los Angeles with a neon sign and a car parked in front of it.

Guelaguetza is an amazing Oaxacan restaurant in Koreatown Los Angeles.

The restaurant was established in 1994 by a husband and wife team, Fernando Lopez and Maria Monterrubio.

As immigrants, the couple wanted to share the best of their traditional family recipes and Oaxacan culture through their dishes.

Today, the result is a beautiful expression of authentic Oaxacan cuisine, made with love.

Definitely try their famous mole and signature Michelada mix!

3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles

Dave’s Hot Chicken

Dave’s Hot Chicken first started out as a tiny stand in East Hollywood. Now, it’s become a popular favorite among Angelenos.

The establishment took Instagram by storm not long after it first opened, and soon lines of people came to try the most tender chicken sandwich around town.

Each piece is topped with a signature mix of spices. Fortunately, you can select how spicy you’d like yours to be!

Come down to Dave’s in Koreatown if you loooove fried chicken.

3462 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

Where to Get Dessert in Koreatown

Now onto the most important meal of the day, dessert! If you’re looking for a place to satisfy your sweet tooth in this part of town, I recommend the places below.

California Donuts

Another Instagram famous spot! California Donuts is a beloved donut shop in Koreatown LA, known all throughout the city.

Family-owned since 1982, the store on 3rd Street is their only location!

You might recognize the adorable panda donut, made with two halves of an Oreo for ears and Oreo pieces for eyes and a nose. Sooo cute!

They also have a ton of other flavors. Yummmm!!

3540 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA

Dragon Boboa

Dragon Boba is a MUST! Mochi donuts are all the rage lately, and this place is definitely the spot to get them.

They also have delicious bobas in almost every flavor.

A few popular ones are ube milk tea, strawberry yakult with strawberry popping boba, and brown sugar milk tea with brown sugar boba!

Busman Organic Milk Bar in Koreatown

One of my favorite soft serve spots in the entire city, Busman offers organic soft serve ice cream.

Non-GMO and antibiotic-free, you can rest assured that this soft serve is high quality!

From experience, I can say that I love how amazingly creamy the soft serve is… it’s just soo milky.

Massively popular in Korea, it’s now made its way to LA! And, to top it off, the cones are HIGHLY Instagramable.

534 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Get a Drink in Koreatown

A woman taking a selfie in Koreatown, LA. — *I HAD to take a selfie in the bathroom of Breakroom 86, of course!*

Break Room 86

My favorite bar, ever! I used to come here on the regular, and now I just come for the memories.

This 1980s-themed establishment plays only the best hits from yesteryear, the likes of which include “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston, “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds and “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell.

They also frequently have Michael Jackson performances!

Break Room 86 and the next bar are both on the same block as The Line Hotel, so it’s super convenient to go there if you’re staying at that hotel.

630 S Ardmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

If you’re ready to dance, come to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. This disco-themed bar is always packed, so come early to avoid the line!

3531 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Southland Beer

Looking for a more casual spot? Koreatown has low-key bars, too — like Southland Beer.

I love this little hole-in-the-wall. You’d never know it was there unless you looked for it!

Known for its impressive selection of craft beers from around the world, Southland Beer is a great place for catching up with friends and having a great conversation.

740 S Western Ave # 112, Los Angeles, CA

The Normandie Club

A brick building with a tree in front of it. — *Facade of the Normandie Club*

For those who want a vibe that’s sort of in between Breakroom 86 and Southland Beer, head to The Normandie Club.

It’s a cool cocktail lounge just off of Hotel Normandie.

From experience, I can say they have incredible craft cocktails. There’s no dancing, but you will love the upscale and speakeasy vibe.

3612 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Stay in Koreatown

The big advantage of staying in Koreatown is that it’s the MOST central part of Los Angeles.

You can get to both the east and west side of LA — all within a 30-minute drive.

But to be honest, there aren’t many hotels in Koreatown. I just have two recommendations for hotels in Ktown!

For one reason or another, most of LA’s hotels are located in other parts of the city, like West Hollywood or downtown LA.

If you decide to stay in one of those neighborhoods, don’t worry, you can still easily access all that Koreatown has to offer!

The Line Hotel

If you love boutique hotels, this one’s for you. The Line Hotel is absolutely gorgeous.

Just one step inside and you’ll get a sense of the hotel’s modern look and feel.

The Line is a perfect fit for you if your budget isn’t tight and you love a “scene.”

The hotel bar here is stunning, and the rooftop has the ever-popular Openaire restaurant – more on that below!

🤩 Check Rates and Availability

Hotel Normandie

This historic hotel is a 1926 landmark featuring elements of Renaissance Revival and Spanish Colonial architecture. History buffs will love staying here!

Hotel Normandie is known for hosting many celebrities back in the day, including novelist Malcolm Lowry.

If you’re looking for a dreamy LA experience channeling Hollywood’s Golden Age, stay at Hotel Normandie!

🤩 Check Rates and Availability

Where to Unwind in Koreatown

If you’re not familiar with K-beauty yet, let me tell you that Korean beauty has taken the US by storm in recent years and it’s pretty amazing.

I’m sure you’ve seen single-use sheet face masks for hydration, but did you know that there are Korean spas dedicated to beauty treatments and massages?

Visiting a Korean spa is a must during your visit to Koreatown.

Korean spas offer soaking tubs, saunas, steam rooms, massages, and more, providing a unique experience of Los Angeles not easily found elsewhere, except in Korea.

Most spas require an admission fee, but if you book a treatment, your fee is usually waived.

If you are the type of traveler who prefers relaxation over the late-night party scene, this is exactly what you’ll want to do in Koreatown, Los Angeles!

WI Spa

This 24-hour spa is the most well-known Korean spa in the neighborhood.

You can come and spend hours in the co-ed jimjilbang, a room for men, women, and children (all clothed).

There are men and women’s dry and steam saunas, too.

Cost: $30 entry fee for services under $150.

Crystal Spa

If you’re looking for a Himalayan salt room or red mud room, come to Crystal for a massage, acupressure, or another service.

This spot is open until 10pm, making it a great option for those with long layovers at LAX.

Consider stopping by for a few hours before catching your next flight!

Cost: $30 (waived with some services). $20 on weekdays before 8:30am.

Coworking Spaces in Koreatown

Last but not least, if you’re a digital nomad or on a workcation, a few tips for you.

The best coworking space in Koreatown is by far Ethos Society.

You will love the views of the city from its location on the 14th floor.

That’s a Wrap on Things to Do in Koreatown

Well, friend, that’s my Ultimate Guide to Koreatown, Los Angeles. I hope you found it helpful and that it inspires you to explore this vibrant and diverse neighborhood.

Whether you’re a foodie looking for some of the best Korean BBQ in the country, a culture enthusiast interested in visiting historic landmarks and museums, or just someone who loves shopping and trying new things, Koreatown has something for everyone.