Home to one-third of the US Korean population, Korea Town is a bustling epicenter of nightlife and restaurants nestled against Wilshire Boulevard’s business district. If a non-Korean Angeleno were to free associate about K-Town, three things would probably immediately come to mind: reasonable rents, karaoke, and barbecue. And although the Korean population has given way to a rising Hispanic majority in recent years, many of the storefronts and signs remain in Korean and the culture is imprinted on every corner.
Landmarks• MacArthur Park • Wilshire Blvd & S Alvarado St
Avoid at night, or you’ll be melting in the dark!
• Southwestern Law School • 3050 Wilshire Blvd
213-738-6700
Legendary Art Deco department store turned law school.
Nightlife• Caffe Brass Monkey • 3440 Wilshire Blvd
213-381-7047
One of the best of K-town karaokes, enter in back.
• Frank N Hanks • 518 S Western Ave
213-383-2087
Beloved K-town hole in the wall.
• HMS Bounty • 3357 Wilshire Blvd
213-385-7275
Nautical-themed old man bar patronized by the new kids.
• Medusa Lounge • 3211 Beverly Blvd
213-382-5723
For all your Satanic ritual needs.
• Orchid Karaoke Club • 607 S Oxford Ave
213-251-8886
Sing and swill in your own private room.
• The Prince • 3198 W 7th St
213-389-2007
Smokin’ waitresses, undercover celebs, cool.
• Q’s Billiard Club • 11835 Wilshire Blvd
310-477-7550
Brentwood’s pool bar. A great place to find locals to do coke with.
• R Bar • 3331 W 8th St
213-387-7227
Mellow K-Town dive. Check the ‘net for the password.
• Rosen Music Studio • 3488 W 8th St
213-387-0467
The K-Town karaoke legend.
Restaurants• Chunju Han-il Kwan • 3450 W 6th St
213-480-1799 • $$
All the homey classics.
• Dong Il Jang • 3455 W 8th St
213-383-5757 • $$
Upscale Korean barbecue, also serving sushi.
• El Cholo • 1121 S Western Ave
323-734-2773 • $$
Long time favorite Mexican chain.
• El Farolito • 2737 W Pico Blvd
323-731-4329 • $
Chicken enchiladas.
• Guelaguetza • 3014 W Olympic Blvd
213-427-0608 • $$
Warm, informal, authentically Mexican dining experience.
• Gui Il Bun Ji BBQ • 3055 W 7th St
213-380-6606 • $$
Meat smoke gets in your eyes.
• Ham Hung • 3109 W Olympic Blvd
213-381-1520 • $$
Korean for Koreans . . . and outsiders.
• Hodori • 1001 S Vermont Ave
213-383-3554 • $
24-hour Korean restaurant with killer barbecued beef.
• Kyochon • 3833 W 6th St
213-739-9292 • $
Korean fried chicken. Different from the Colonel.
• Langer’s • 704 S Alvarado St
213-483-8050 • $$
Great Jewish deli in MacArthur Park. Try the pastrami sandwiches.
• Literati Cafe • 12081 Wilshire Blvd
310-231-7484 • $$
Bring your laptop so you can work on that screenplay you’ll never sell.
• M Grill • 3832 Wilshire Blvd
213-389-2770 • $$$
Authentic Brazilian, sleek interior.
• Mama’s Hot Tamales • 2122 W 7th St
213-487-7474 • $
An amazing selection of tamales from all over Central and South America.
• Oo-Kook • 3385 W 8th St
213-385-5665 • $$
All the delicious meat you can (literally) stomach.
• Palomino • 10877 Wilshire Blvd
310-208-1960 • $$
Strong menu, solid happy hour.
• Papa Cristo’s • 2771 W Pico Blvd
323-737-2970 • $
Greek market and deli serving delicious gyros and souvlaki.
• Parao Karaoke Bar • 3680 Wilshire Blvd
213-383-8686 • $$
Fusion fare with private karaoke rooms.
• Park’s BBQ • 955 S Vermont Ave
213-380-1717 • $$
Do your Korean BBQ here. Seasoned special pork belly!
• Pipers • 222 N Western Ave
323-465-7701 • $
Dependable 24-hour diner.
• Soot Bull Jeep • 3136 W 8th St
213-387-3865 • $$$
Brilliant, smoky Korean BBQ; get the Spencer Steak.
• Ssing Ssing • 709 S Vermont Ave
213-382-6099 • $
Family-run Korean with delivery.
• Taylor’s Steakhouse • 3361 W 8th St
213-382-8449 • $$$
Old-fashioned steak house.
• Tommy’s • 2575 Beverly Blvd
213-389-9060 • $
Their burgers are renowned.
Going out for a night on the K-Town? Here’s a handy equation: Korean BBQ + karaoke = good times. Try Soot Bull Jeep for a no-frills dining experience with a few friends. Follow a feast of kimchi and short ribs with generous portions of sake and awfulsome ‘80s tunes at Orchid Karaoke or Rosen Music Studio. Both offer private party rooms and drinks—Orchid even serves dinner—so you can satiate after slaughtering “Don’t You Want Me.” Decompress with a few soju cocktails and swear you’ll do this every weekend.
Shopping• Han Kook Supermarket • 124 N Western Ave
323-469-8934
Korean supermarket.
• Koreatown Galleria • 3250 W Olympic Blvd
323-733-6000
Best Korean market around.
• Koreatown Plaza • 928 S Western Ave
213-382-1234
Mall with an amazing food court.
• Light Bulbs Unlimited • 2309 Wilshire Blvd
310-829-7400
Every bulb under the sun.