Top Spots to Dine, Stay, and Celebrate in L.A.'s Koreatown

Koreatown in Los Angeles hardly needs an introduction. Nestled to the east of the upscale Wilshire Park, south of Little Bangladesh, and slightly west of downtown, K-town boasts the largest population of ethnically Korean individuals outside Asia and stands as one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.

Spanning just three square miles, Koreatown is brimming with beloved Korean chain restaurants, family-run eateries, lively bars, karaoke lounges, and relaxing spas, all enriched by its proximity to Hollywood. The neighborhood is fairly walkable, especially considering there are three Metro Purple Line stops along Wilshire Boulevard, which traverses Koreatown from east to west—making it a fantastic area to explore on foot. (This is especially wise, as parking in K-town can be notoriously tricky, even by L.A. standards.)

From enjoying a drink at one of the city’s legendary bars to indulging in a rejuvenating experience at a K-spa, Koreatown has something for everyone. Think of this as your ultimate guide to one of L.A.’s most vibrant—and flavorful—neighborhoods.

Activities in Koreatown

Enjoy a drink at the Prince
Address: 3198 West Seventh St.

Established in the 1940s, Koreatown’s Prince bar is among the city's oldest. Housed in a charming brick Tudor revival building, it once drew Hollywood executives and stars from the Golden Age. Behind its vibrant red coffered doors, the ambiance feels timeless. Inside, you'll find curved red leather booths, scarlet lamps, floral wallpaper, and oil paintings depicting British landscapes and noble figures. In 1991, the bar was taken over by Korean owners who preserved its iconic decor, allowing guests to enjoy Korean bar fare like stir-fried squid and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

If the interiors of the Prince seem recognizable, it’s likely because it’s a favored filming location, appearing in numerous Hollywood projects, including Roman Polanski’s Chinatown (where a scene was briefly filmed; Faye Dunaway once famously referred to Polanski as a “mother******” in a booth there), the sitcom New Girl, and more recently, Mad Men. With its extravagant midcentury decor, it’s easy to picture Don Draper (Jon Hamm) savoring an Old-Fashioned at the bar.

Explore the Koreatown Pavilion Garden
Address: 1000 S. Normandie Ave.

Situated at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Normandie Avenue, across from the first Korean grocery store in the city, the 5,000-square-foot Koreatown Pavilion Garden (also known as Da Wool Jung) offers a peaceful escape from the lively neighborhood. It’s a perfect spot to appreciate the garden's beauty or meditate. Constructed from pine, the traditional Korean-style pavilion is adorned in green, blue, and rusty red hues. Inaugurated in 2006 to mark a century of Korean immigration to the U.S., Da Wool Jung represents the cultural, economic, and political achievements of the Korean American community.

Indulge in treatments at Olympic Spa
Address: 3915 W. Olympic Blvd.

Korean beauty trends have captured global attention, leading to a surge in the popularity of Korean spas. Koreatown features several K-spas, with Olympic Spa being one of the most renowned. This women-only facility (children under 12 are not permitted) offers guests access to saunas, Korean salt rooms, and hot and cold baths. Visiting a Korean spa is typically a lengthy experience, with many spending five to six hours or even an entire day to fully enjoy the offerings. Olympic Spa’s most sought-after treatment is the Goddess package, which includes a full body exfoliation, an aromatherapy massage, a scalp massage, a facial mask, and a hair-smoothing rinse. Memberships starting at $350 per month provide unlimited spa access and discounts on treatments.

Top Dining Spots in Koreatown

Gol Tong Chicken
Address: 361 S. Western Ave., #101

Despite its unassuming exterior, don’t underestimate a strip mall eatery in K-town. Nestled between a video rental store and a hair salon, Gol Tong Chicken is run entirely by retired Korean film director Kil Chae Jeong, affectionately known as “Gol Tong,” meaning “stubborn” in Korean. Gol Tong specializes in dakgangjeong-style Korean fried chicken (a sweet, boneless version of KFC) served with generous sides of pineapple, grapes, blueberries, apple slices, avocado, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes, all topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The fried chicken is available with three sauce options: original, soy garlic, and sweet chili. For a taste of them all, try the Director’s Cut.

Sun Nong Dan
Address: 710 S. Western Ave.

Sun Nong Dan focuses on beef dishes. This Koreatown eatery, which earned a spot on legendary food critic Jonathan Gold’s list of the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles in 2017, is renowned for its seolleongtang (a milky white soup made from ox bone broth). One of its standout dishes is the koh galbi jim, featuring short ribs, back ribs, and oxtail stir-fried with peppers and onions, topped with a generous layer of mozzarella cheese that a waiter ignites at your table. For a lighter option, consider the won gi tang: a clear broth with short rib meat, ox knee, tail, jujube berries, green onions, and thin slices of oyster mushroom. As a bonus, Sun Nong Dan is open 24/7, perfect for late-night Korean food cravings.

Mountain Cafe
Address: 3470 W Sixth St., #5

For comforting, homestyle Korean stews, Mountain Cafe is hard to beat. With 15 entrées on the menu, options range from yukgaejang (spicy beef and vegetable soup) to samgyetang (a flavorful whole chicken soup with ginger, jujube, and garlic). Mountain Cafe is a straightforward, no-frills establishment, but alongside its delicious stews, diners can enjoy generous portions of banchan like kimchi, kkakdugi (daikon kimchi), and the popular jang-jorim (beef braised with shishito peppers, onions, and eggs). Refills of banchan are available upon request.

Ham Ji Park
Address: 3407 W. Sixth St., #101

While Sun Nong Dan is famous for its beef, Ham Ji Park specializes in pork. The portions here are massive, designed for sharing among three to four diners. Be sure to try the sweet and savory dweji-galbi (barbecue pork ribs) and the hearty gamjatang (pork neck bone and potato stew). Each entrée is accompanied by a salad and banchan like kkakdugi, blanched soybean sprouts, kwari gochu (spicy shisito peppers), and eomuk bokkeum (stir-fried fish cake).

Shopping Destinations in Koreatown

Chapman Market
Address: 3465 W. Sixth St.

With its striking Spanish colonial revival architecture, wrought iron fences, and art deco details, Chapman Market is hard to overlook. Opened in 1929, it was one of the earliest buildings designed for convenient access by car. For those uncertain about where to eat in Koreatown, the market features a diverse range of dining options, including Quarters Korean BBQ, Tiger Boba, and Escala K-town, a Colombian restaurant that also attracts music lovers with its regular local DJ events.

Koreatown Plaza
Address: 928 S. Western Ave.

Located just off Koreatown’s main thoroughfare, Western Avenue, Koreatown Plaza is a three-story haven of Korean cuisine, products, and beauty. The ground floor is primarily occupied by an H Mart, while the second floor features hair salons, food courts, and various shops, including Aritaum, a K-beauty retailer offering popular brands like Laneige, Iope, and Sulwhasoo. On the third floor, visitors can explore a home goods store.

6ixth Sense Los Angeles
Address: 3881 W. Sixth St.

Established in 2016, 6ixth Sense Los Angeles is a hidden gem in Koreatown. This lifestyle and home goods store boasts an eclectic array of items sourced from around the globe, including Japan, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Known for its vibrant, quirky, and playful products, there’s truly something for everyone, regardless of personal style.

Accommodations in and around Koreatown

Originally built in 1922 as the Bank of Italy headquarters, the building now known as Hotel Per La opened its doors in the summer of 2022, offering guests Italian-inspired hospitality, design, and cuisine. The hotel features 241 rooms, a café, the restaurant Per L’Ora (which describes its concept as “DTLA meets the Italian coast”), and a rooftop bar that provides stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline, serving a superb Negroni. It’s conveniently located less than 15 minutes from Koreatown by car.

The Los Angeles branch of the upscale Line hotel brand (operated by the Sydell Group, which also manages Nomad and Freehand) opened in 2014 and comprises 388 rooms. The interior design at Koreatown’s Line Hotel embraces a minimalist aesthetic: Rooms feature chic concrete walls complemented by colorful light fixtures and Mexican-style blankets. The minibar, stocked with both Western and Korean snacks, reflects its prime location in K-town. The on-site restaurant, Openaire, is set in a greenhouse-style building filled with plants, offering inventive dishes such as mung bean latkes, buttermilk fried quail, and house-made milk bread served with nori butter.

Established in 1926, Hotel Figueroa was originally an exclusive women’s hostelry run by the YWCA and is considered one of the first large hotels in the nation designed for women. Guests will experience a blend of Spanish contemporary design and Moroccan-inspired elements. After opening its doors to men in 1928, it quickly became a hotspot for artists, celebrities, and musicians in L.A., and it remains a popular gathering place for creative individuals. Hotel Fig has 268 rooms and, while not located directly in K-town, is just a short 13-minute drive away.