The lights, lanterns and nightlife of central Los Angeles
Koreatown, known as K-Town by locals, is a vibrant neighborhood in central Los Angeles with streets brimming with landmark spots and highly-rated restaurants. Angelenos know K-Town for its high-energy nightlife and eclectic culinary scene, but it's more than just a place to get a drink or a bite to eat. “The nightlife and restaurants are open super late, so it’s nice to have options,” says resident Ani Hassan. “But if you get off the main streets, it’s pretty laidback, so it’s a nice place to live.” Throw in accessible transit and a growing condo market and it's easy to see why Koreatown is an in-demand neighborhood.
K Town is one of the most popular neighborhood attractions for foodies.
Koreatown's Love House features a full restaurant in the day and a bustling bar at night.
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A taste of Asia in Los Angeles
For kimchi, sundubu jjigae, jjajangmyeon or Korean barbecue, locals are spoiled for choice. Restaurants bearing a mix of Hangul and English signage line the streets, filling plazas with savory smells of roasting meat. Michelin-recommended restaurant Quarters Korean Barbecue, a Koreatown staple, serves premium cuts of meat and specialty drinks. For over 20 years, BCD Tofu House has flavored delicacies like raw marinated crab and bibimpap. “There are lots of great restaurants, which everyone loves,” says Stephanie Leeks, a County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources representative. “My coworkers all work from home, but we come into the office once a week, and we always go out to eat in Koreatown for lunch because there are so many great restaurants. There’s great Korean food, but there’s also other cuisines and some great dessert places.” Residents are within walking distance of bakeries selling specialty cakes, cream-filled pastries and Japanese milk bread. Koreatown also has a vibrant nightlife. Karaoke lovers enjoy specialty cocktails and singing the night away at hotspots like Brass Monkey or SoopSok. At spots like Go Pocha or Toe Bang, patrons sip beer and soju while enjoying Korean late-night bites. The area is also notable for its shopping and fits several shopping centers within its roughly three-square miles. People from all over venture to Koreatown to stock up on imported products that can be hard to find elsewhere, from ingredients to sunscreen. Chapman Plaza is a landmark site, known for its intricate stone façade, extensive food court and boutique shops, that offer everything from clothing and fine jewelry to luggage and sporting goods. H-Mart, located in the MaDang Mall, is a community mainstay. The store offers an extensive array of fresh produce, extensive meat options, imported goods and ready-to-eat meals. Shoppers will also find beauty supply shops selling popular imported products, like Korean-brand skincare.
Residents in Koreatown have an excellent selection of grocery stores to choose from.
H-Mart in Koreatown has all the essentials for residents.
Plenty of options to choose from at the Koreatown Galleria.
Chunju Han-Il Kwan in Koreatown has one of the best Army Stews in the area.
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Experiencing culture at neighborhood night market and the Korean Festival
Koreatown residents share their heritage with Los Angeles through festivals honoring ancient traditions or replicating Korean experiences. The annual summer Koreatown Night Market features live music performances by local and international artists and dozens of food vendors. The Los Angeles Korean Festival draws thousands who come to try traditional street food and explore vendors of Korean goods. Festivalgoers gather to see K-Pop and folk-dance performances. Booths offer experiences from calligraphy to trying on hanboks, a traditional Korean dress style. The multi-day festival is held every autumn and has been a Los Angeles social highlight for over 50 years.
There is a Korean pavilion next to the Seoul International Park and the community center.
Seoul International Park is a medium sized park in the Heart of Koreatown.
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High walkability, public transportation and access to highways
While Los Angeles is car-dependent, Koreatown’s walkability is a major draw. “It’s a very dense area, and there are many things within walking distance,” says Arthur Yoon, Vice President at Redpoint Realty and head of the Arthur Yoon RE Group. “There’s traffic, but there’s also a lot of foot traffic.” Koreatown blocks are packed with local businesses, and sidewalks are well-traveled by pedestrians and robots. Many local restaurants have outsourced delivery responsibilities to delivery robots: small, automated vehicles with bright flags and an anthropomorphic, eye-like headlights that flash apologetically if a pedestrian wanders into its path. These agile, little machines cart hot meals straight to residents' front doors. However, should residents wish to leave the neighborhood, the city bus offers multiple stops in Koreatown, and the purple line of LA Metro has a station in the neighborhood. Most residents drive and appreciate their proximity to Highway 101 and I-10. Via the 101, residents are 13 miles from Hollywood Burbank Airport. “It's like two miles from Downtown, so if you work Downtown, it's as easy to get there,” says Leeks. “The big downside is parking is horrendous. But public transit is good around here, and you can get all over the place between the busses and subways.”
Bus and subway lines make Koreatown an accessible neighborhood with a high walkability score.
Locals have great access to the cities public transit options with frequent trains and buses.
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Condos in Koreatown
The city has grown up around Koreatown. While there are still a handful of freestanding bungalows, development has pivoted toward maximizing available space. Developers focus on projects like high-rise condos, which allow more people to buy property in this high-demand neighborhood. Some taller buildings even offer views of the Santa Monica mountains on a clear day. “Most people moving to Koreatown are young professionals,” says Yoon. “There is no new single-family housing, and it is mostly condos. A lot of people moving here are people who originally wanted to live in Downtown LA, but Koreatown has less crime and is more affordable than other neighborhoods.” Buyers interested in condos might spend between $400,000 and $1.7 million, depending on the building’s amenities, location and renovations made to the unit. The rare Craftsman bungalows, offering small yards and extra character, sell from $1.1 million to $1.9 million.
Spanish revival style apartments can be found near the heart of Koreatown, Los Angeles.
There are many craftsman style homes in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
Two story craftsman style homes with driveways and front lawns can be found in Koreatown.
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The RFK Community of Schools campus
Koreatown is served by a variety of Los Angeles Unified School District schools, most notably the Robert F. Kennedy Community of Schools, which serves kids from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Robert F. Kennedy Community of Schools is housed in the former Ambassador Hotel, the site of Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination. Other prominent schools include New Open World Academy, graded B by Niche, and UCLA Community School, which earned an A-minus. Both schools serve kindergarten through twelfth-grade students, offer many extracurriculars, from sports teams to student legal clinics, and provide an opportunity to earn college credit.
The Robert F. Community School has a digital entrance sign to display daily information.
There are gated entrances to the RFK Ambassador School Global Leadership in Koreatown.
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Seoul International Park and hiking near Koreatown
According to Leeks, there is little green space in Koreatown. “People don’t have yards, and there are not many parks,” she says. Of the few that are in the neighborhood Seoul International Park is the largest. Surrounded by the urban blocks of the neighborhood, the park, which itself is nearly a full city block, offers greenery and a break from the busy streets. It's also the home of the annual Korean Festival, Halloween Carnival and more. Locals also enjoy Shatto Recreation Center for its tennis and basketball courts as well as youth activities, from kids' nights out to soccer teams. Los Angeles is known for its scenic hiking, and the famous Griffith Park Trails are five miles north of Koreatown.
Ardmore Recreation Center at Seoul International Park in Koreatown.
Practice your swing at The City Golf in Koreatown.
There is a colorful playground at Seoul International Park in Koreatown.
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I've lived here most of my life and I see constant changes as many neighborhoods undergo. However, it's becoming more crowded and seeing more and more waves of people.
5.0Current Resident
1/29/2019Niche Review
i like the food and life in koreatown. there are too many homeless people. in general, there are too many people moving here and it is crowding the space. the schools here are alright. People here are nice. there are a lot of apartments in the making.
2.0Current Resident
3/13/2018Niche Review
Koreatown is simply a low-income neighborhood. Which isn't necessarily bad but the recent construction around the area tends to raise the rent up every few months. If you were to live in koreatown I'd recommned near the end of western.
3.0Current Resident
7/15/2017Niche Review
I love all of the shops and stores in Koreatown. It's rich with ethnic and boho vibes. However some streets seem very unsafe at night in contrast to have vivacious and fun the area is during the day.
Are you familiar with the Koreatown neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Koreatown
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
8
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Koreatown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Koreatown, Los Angeles sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Koreatown, Los Angeles over the last 12 months is $735,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Limited-Time Opportunity: *** Up to $30,000 Buyer Grant + Major Price Reduction! *** Take advantage of incredible savings on this home. Eligible buyers can apply up to $30,000 in grant funds toward their down payment, closing costs, or even an interest rate buy-down. Pair that with a major price reduction, and now is the perfect time to make your move. Welcome to Mosaika - 63 brand-new boutique
Limited-Time Opportunity: *** Up to $30,000 Buyer Grant + Major Price Reduction! *** Take advantage of incredible savings on this home. Eligible buyers can apply up to $30,000 in grant funds toward their down payment, closing costs, or even an interest rate buy-down. Pair that with a major price reduction, and now is the perfect time to make your move. Welcome to Mosaika - 63 brand-new boutique
***Limited-Time Opportunity: Up to $30,000 Buyer Grant + Major Price Reduction! *** Take advantage of incredible savings on this home. Eligible buyers can receive up to $30,000 in grant funds to use toward a down payment, closing costs, or even an interest rate buy-down. Pair this with a major price reduction, and now is the perfect time to make your move. Welcome to Mosaika, 63 brand-new
Property located convenient, central in the heart of K-Town. Very specious 3 Bed+ 2 Bath,1,589 sq ft with open floor plan including kitchen island, Quartz countertops, Easy access for ground-level tandem parking. The property is facing to North side.
Main house features 4BD/3BA with very high ceilings and abundant natural light. The downstairs includes a spacious living room, a kitchen with plenty of cabinets, an office room, and a 2-car garage. Upstairs offers a well-sized master suite with a walk-in closet, a junior master with a large closet and a good-sized room, and a third bedroom. Per county assessor, there is also an additional
BACK YARD SPACE! Welcome to Garden Villas, Koreatown's hidden gemperfectly situated in one of Los Angeles' most vibrant and sought-after neighborhoods. This rare, upgraded Studio, 1-bath condo offers unbeatable value and an exceptional lifestyle, just minutes from Downtown LA, Hollywood, and steps from Koreatown's best dining, nightlife, and cultural hotspots. Located one block off Normandie
One of Mid-Wilshire's finest 1920's buildings, The Gramercy Wilshire Apartments are situated just off Wilshire Blvd - Convenient to Hancock Park, Miracle Mile and Hollywood. Parking available for additional monthly fee. Pics are of typical unit. Shown by appt; No Walk-Ins.
One of Mid-Wilshire's finest 1920's buildings, The Gramercy Wilshire Apartments are situated just off Wilshire Blvd - Convenient to Hancock Park, Miracle Mile and Hollywood. No parking available with the building - Street parking only. Prices and availability subject to change without notice. Shown by appt only; No Walk-Ins.
One of Mid-Wilshire's finest 1920's buildings, The Gramercy Wilshire Apartments are situated just off Wilshire Blvd - Convenient to Hancock Park, Miracle Mile and Hollywood. Shown by appt; No Walk-Ins. **Advertised rent of $2,515/mo is the net effective rent for a 13 month lease of $2,725/mo with month 13 rent free.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
