17 Best Things To Do In Koreatown, Los Angeles

Francis
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 5 min read
things to do in koreatown

Koreatown is an enormous melting pot of several cultures within one community in Los Angeles. It boasts restaurants with different cuisines, interesting places to visit, and an active nightlife with countless booming karaoke bars and nightclubs. The district is home to the magnificent Wiltern Theater. It also has places where you can enjoy solitude, as well as large markets selling products from different parts of the world. It has the advantage of proximity to a number of major freeways, giving travelers instant access to LA’s attractions. Cool hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals abound, so you’ll find it easy to explore. So, scroll down for our listings of the best things to do in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

Why Trust Trip101?


Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team

Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles

Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)

Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform

Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts

Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more

Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content

Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.

Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.

1. See traditional Korean architecture at Dawooljung

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Immerse yourself in the cultural splendor of Koreatown at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Normandie Avenue, where the magnificent Korean Pavilion, known as Dawooljong, stands tall. This architectural marvel encompasses a sprawling 5,000 square feet (464.52 square meters) of space, featuring a harmonious blend of pavilion and garden.

Meticulously crafted with utmost precision and artistic finesse, the open-air pavilion boasts a breathtaking tiled roof and is meticulously constructed using luxurious pine wood, adorned in vibrant hues. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a harmonious ambiance that pays homage to Korean heritage.

Korean Pavilion (Dawooljong)

Address: W Olympic Blvd & Irolo St, Los Angeles 90006

Website: Korean Pavilion Dawooljong

Visited this place?

2. Play a round of golf at Aroma Golf Range

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Aroma Golf Academy on Thursday, March 7, 2019

Boasting the largest semi-indoor golf range in the city, this premier facility offers a remarkable four-level, 150-yard range equipped with state-of-the-art automated teeing equipment and a cutting-edge computer-aided teaching and monitoring system. Whether honing your swing at your own pace or seeking guidance from qualified instructors, Aroma Golf Center caters to all skill levels.

With features including a fully automated tee-up system, golf locker rentals, and pneumatic height adjustment, every aspect of your golfing experience is meticulously designed for optimal enjoyment.

Aroma Golf Range

Address: 3680 Wilshire Blvd Unit 301., Los Angeles, CA 90010

Website: Aroma Golf Range

Visited this place?

3. Party at Arena Ktown

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Arena Ktown on Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Wondering what to do in Koreatown, Los Angeles? Then Arena Ktown is a great place to check out. Located in the heart of Koreatown, this nightclub offers a place for you to enjoy some drinks, dance, and sing your heart out. From hip hop and R&B nights to karaoke rooms, this place has plenty to offer any partygoer.

It also hosts several events and parties that are sure to get your groove on with some customers even praising the nightclub’s amazing atmosphere.

Arena Ktown

Address: 3319 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States

Website: Arena Ktown

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 9pm - 2am (closed on Mon - Wed)

Visited this place?

4. Enjoy a unique moviegoing experience in CGV Cinemas Movie Theater

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Don't miss out on #MONSTAXTHEDREAMING in #ScreenX . Get your tickets now! See you there #MONBEBE !!!

Posted by CGV Cinemas USA on Wednesday, December 8, 2021

CGV Cinemas Movie Theater offers more than just your regular moviegoing experience. With motions chairs, multi-projection theater, and multisensory environmental effects like fog, rain, and scents, this theater delivers a fully immersive cinematic experience all housed in a 4DX auditorium.

Complemented with a customized curved screen, fully reclining chairs, advanced sound quality, phone charging stations, and a storage area, this cinema guarantees a luxurious movie experience that’s sure to make this wonderful theater stand out from other regular theaters in America.

CGV Cinemas Movie Theater

Address: 621 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005, United States

Website: CGV Cinemas Movie Theater

Visited this place?

5. Find a way out in Maze Rooms Escape Game

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Looking for some thrill? Why not try your hand in Maze Rooms Escape Game? These maze rooms are a series of fun, puzzle-filled rooms where your objective is to find a way to escape the rooms you are trapped in within an hour by solving puzzles, finding keys, uncovering clues, and using logic and deductive reasoning.

Each of these escape room games sports a different theme with its own set of solutions and items for you to utilize in order to make your escape.

Maze Rooms Escape Game

Address: 132 S Vermont Ave Ste 204 Los Angeles, CA 90004

Website: Maze Rooms Escape Game

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 11pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 1am

Visited this place?

6. Sit back and relax by Liberty Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

One of the places to visit in Koreatown is Liberty Park, a popular destination to celebrate festivals and host street markets and World Cup viewings, especially for Korean-Americans, as Radio Korea is headquartered in the Wilshire Park Place building nearby.

It was originally slated to be converted into a residential tower, but thanks to the efforts of the locals, including an online campaign, this park has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument site. Nevertheless, their efforts have paid off and Liberty Park shall remain the same wonderful park that many love to gather on for years to come.

Liberty Park

Address: 3700 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States

Visited this place?

7. Enjoy some Korean cuisine in KTP Seoul Soondae House

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by KTP Seoul Soondae House on Monday, May 11, 2020

Looking for the best food in Koreatown, Los Angeles? You’re in luck! Located inside the international food court of Koreatown Plaza, KTP Seoul Soondae House offers a wide variety of Korean dishes for you to enjoy. What the place lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in the quality of their food.

Customers have reviewed the food to be well-cooked and delicious with one reviewer even saying that there are not many restaurants in Koreatown that offer budae jjigae (army stew), let alone it tasting very good.

KTP Seoul Soondae House

Address: 928 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006, United States

Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)

Visited this place?

8. Splurge on Korean and American goods and gifts at Koreatown Plaza

Olympic and Harvard, Koreatown, Los Angeles
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DaveofCali used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Located near the intersection of the artsy Western Avenue and 9th streets, this Korean mall in Los Angeles is a haven filled with both Korean and American products. Koreatown Plaza is full of shops that sell an assortment of products and diverse brands: they sell Korean beauty, health, and body products, as well as kitchen and house utensils and tools. They also sell elegant designer bags and shoes from local and international brands. Inside the mall is a popular food court with cult restaurants offering dishes influenced by culinary traditions from across the globe. It also has stalls offering street food and quick-to-eat meals for people on the rush. A sizeable supermarket is also located inside Koreatown Plaza.

Koreatown Plaza

Address: 928 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006, United States

Website: Koreatown Plaza

Opening hours: Sat - Thu: 11am - 6pm (closed on Fri)

Visited this place?

9. Practice your swing at a high-tech golf range at Aroma Golf Center

golf
Source: Unsplash

Golf is one of the most popular sports in sunny Los Angeles. People from many states are known to swarm LA to avoid winter and to finish some rounds in Aroma Golf Center. This field of green within the city features a 150-yard (137-meter) range that provides great views for golfers. Customers will like the automated tee-up system and they can hire in-house instructors. This range is perfect for first-time golfers learning to swing. It is also a favorite golf range of seasoned professionals. Aroma Golf Center is also conveniently located on Wilshire Boulevard.

Aroma Golf Center

Address: 3680 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States

Website: Aroma Golf Center

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 7am - 10pm; Mon - Wed: 6am - 10pm; Thu: 6am - 8pm; Fri: 10am - 6pm

Visited this place?

10. Indulge in Korean cuisine and culture on a Korean food crawl

With a booming food scene in the country’s biggest Koreatown in America, you will surely have a delectable food-tasting experience in Koreatown. Go on a culinary walking tour and delight in a progressive meal where each of the four courses is served in separate restaurants. Introduce yourself to Korean cuisine and culture with the help of expert guides who know interesting stories about each restaurant. Taste authentic flavors or try a fusion of cuisine from the East and West. Indulge in rich-tasting bulgogi beef and buckwheat noodles. This small-group tour also gives you a chance to meet people sharing the same interest as you.

Visited this place?

11. Watch a live musical performance at The Wiltern

The Wiltern
Source: Unsplash

In 2016, Adele chose The Wiltern as the venue for her pre-Grammy concert. Definitely, this magnificent theater is among the most sought-after venue for concerts. Its seating capacity is 1,850, with a seating balcony and the ground with an open space for more flexible seating arrangements and usage of space. The Wiltern Theater, a well-preserved building dating back to the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s is one of LA’s top-tier historic landmarks. An elegant theater with comfortable modern seating, state-of-the-art lighting, and world-class acoustics, watching a live musical performance at The Wiltern is a must when in Koreatown. The Wiltern is about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Koreatown.

The Wiltern

Address: 3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States

Website: The Wiltern

Visited this place?

12. Take time for meditation at Koreatown Pavilion Garden

Korean architecture
Source: Unsplash

Enjoy the pleasure of solitude in a busy city at Koreatown Pavilion Garden. As many Southern California residents are of Asian descent such as Korean, Japanese, and Chinese, an Asian-themed garden where one can quietly reflect and meditate was built in 2006. Its beautiful landscape exudes calm and grace. Inside the garden can be found traditional gazebos, cultivated areas, and relaxing outdoor seats.

Koreatown Pavilion Garden

Address: 1000 Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006, United States

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 11am - 3pm; Mon: 11am - 3pm (closed on Sun & Tue)

Visited this place?

13. Spot the street art murals along Western Avenue and take photos for the 'Gram

woman with soda can
Source: Unsplash

Go on a leisurely walk down Western Avenue and admire its artistically rendered murals that make for Instagram-worthy pictures. The people of Los Angeles, through its city government, initiated the Great Streets Initiative in 2014 with the goal to beautify large blank walls in Western Avenue, giving the street a distinct character. Now, Western Avenue is a sprawling canvass filled with colorful street art. Some of the famous murals found along Western are created by famous artists/muralists Hector Ponce, Hans Haveron, and John Park. These public artworks have greatly influenced the urban space in Koreatown and LA, making a more vibrant streetscape that celebrates diversity and community.

Visited this place?

14. Show off your talent in singing at Pharaoh Karaoke Lounge

man singing
Source: Unsplash

Liven up the night singing your favorite songs with friends at the Pharoah Karaoke Lounge. The nightclub karaoke machines boast a massive collection of 4,000 songs. The lounge restaurant offers a wide variety of sumptuous appetizers and dishes and alcoholic drinks that will make jamming with friends a fun-filled experience. Whatever the occasion is, be it a casual get-together, birthday or corporate outing, Pharaoh Karaoke Lounge can accommodate it. It has 34 private rooms and a full bar. Since singing in a crowd can be intimidating for some, at Pharaoh Karaoke lounge, you can hold your own party in any of its 17 private karaoke rooms.

Pharaoh Karaoke Lounge

Address: 3680 Wilshire Blvd B-02, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States

Website: Pharaoh Karaoke Lounge

Opening hours: 6pm - 2am (daily)

Visited this place?

15. Have a cup of coffee in a boat-shaped, Titanic-themed restaurant – Café Jack

coffee
Source: Unsplash

Imagine that the Titanic—the British passenger liner that sank in 1912 and the inspiration for James Cameron’s epic drama film—was restored and a piece of its glamor brought to Los Angeles. Café Jack, a Titanic-themed café tries to recreate the luxury ship’s elegance. With a captain’s wheel, boating materials, ship fixtures, vintage piano and photo stills, engine order telegraph, and more, the restaurant looks like a film set. The café has karaoke rooms, private rooms, patios, and communal tables. It offers Asian food such as sushi, and different noodle dishes. Locals and tourists alike often come to have a good cup of coffee and take pictures.

Café Jack

Address: 508 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020, United States

Website: Café Jack

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2am; Sun: 5pm - 1am

Visited this place?

16. Enjoy a workout with a view at Seoul International Park

workout
Source: Unsplash

With a baseball diamond, basketball courts, jogging trails and walking paths, and outdoor fitness equipment, a more varied workout can be attained at Seoul International Park. With its outdoor fitness equipment, you can have the workout you need to stay in shape: strength, flexibility, cardio, or a combination of workouts. The paths where you can jog also make variations in your workout regimen possible. It is also a perfect park for families as there is a children’s playground with a variety of slides and swings. Picnic tables and a parking lot for visitors are also available.

Seoul International Park

Address: 3250 San Marino St, Los Angeles, CA 90006, United States

Website: Seoul International Park

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 7:30am - 9pm; Thu - Fri: 7:30am - 9pm; Wed: 7:30am - 10pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Visited this place?

17. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the decorative doughnuts at California Donuts

California Donuts , Los Angeles USA - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user The Erica Chang used under CC BY 3.0

Enjoy the sweet treats of California Donuts—a shop whose doughnut varieties look so great on Instagram. Feast on multiple holiday-themed doughnuts crafted by expert bakers. A family-owned and -operated doughnut shop, California Donuts has been the pride of Koreatown for more than 30 years. It serves the tastiest, most colorful, and most visually appealing doughnuts in LA. Whether you want a white chocolate doughnut drizzled with syrup, one dotted with multicolored sprinkles or an M&M filled one, California Donuts has every doughnut you can imagine. They are open 24 hours so you can just stop by their little window anytime. They also offer great-tasting and eye-catching muffins and croissants.

California Donuts

Address: 3540 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020, United States

Website: California Donuts

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

Have a fun-filled day in Koreatown

Western Avenue toward Koreatown
Source: Photo by Flickr user Scarlet Sappho used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Visit Koreatown, the city with fun-filled activities and treats for everyone, now. You can satisfy your sweet tooth or take a leisurely walk in an art-studded boulevard. You can have a memorable musical experience or indulge in the flavors and culture of Asia. Koreatown has everything so make sure to tick it off your LA travel bucket list.

Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, the business hours of the attractions may differ from the stated timings in this article. Please be sure to check the updated hours from the websites.

Frequently asked questions about best things to do in Koreatown, Los Angeles


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Francis is a versatile writer, an ardent reader, and a dedicated traveler. His culinary adventures take him to minimalist sushi restaurants, and he finds joy in strolling through Chinatown,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Register Here
0 Comments
Explore Koreatown
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.
Party House To Rent For One Night In Los Angeles

23 Party Houses To Rent For One Night In Los Angeles - Updated 2024