Koreatown is an interesting place where you can really see immigrants’ lives story. Many were retired war veterans who came back from Korea and opened small markets after they found out the low-priced rent. Many Koreans came to Koreatown who couldn’t speak any English, so it’s easy to get lost there for the first time even if you know your way around. But don’t get intimidated by being a foreigner! You can find many Korean people who would help you find your way.

Koreatown is surrounded by Wilshire Blvd, Western Ave, Beverly Blvd, and Normandie Ave. It’s pretty much the entire block between these 4 streets. I would recommend staying away from any location that falls into this range because it can get dangerous at night for a foreigner. On the other hand, there are great places in Koreatown, such as the Wilshire Center / Koreatown Metro Station where I stayed in Koreatown. The place is safe and very convenient with a big supermarket right in front of it.

For visitors not familiar with Los Angeles, Koreatown is an area between Beverly Hills and downtown L.A. where you can find many Korean groceries, restaurants, karaoke bars, etc. There are thousands of Koreans living in the area, so it’s very common to hear people speak in both English and Korean at any given time!

For those interested, a great place to visit for a quick bite is a Korean BBQ restaurant! The food is delicious, and you cook your own beef, pork, or chicken right on the table – just wait to have an empty stomach beforehand. Koreatown also has many Korean-owned hair salons that will give you the best bang for your buck. My personal favorite is the secret tip I found in Koreatown – any of the manicure/pedicure places on Western Avenue will give you a great manicure/pedicure for around $10. This might not sound like much, but if you go to a nail salon off an upscale part of Beverly Hills or Rodeo drive, you’ll probably pay $30-$40 for the same manicure/pedicure.

The area has a ton of stores and restaurants, with many major department stores (Hmart for Korean grocery items) and fun little boutiques catering to young Koreans and hipster Americans. There are also many karaoke bars in the area if you are interested in singing your heart out. The Wilshire/Normandie subway station is the most convenient stop for Koreatown, but it is also possible to get there by bus or car. If you want to explore another neighborhood, check out Mid City.