How Many Koreatowns Are There in the US?

Quick Summary

• It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number of Koreatowns in the U.S. because Koreatown-like districts vary in size.
• The most notable Koreatowns are in Los Angeles, New York City (Manhattan & Queens), and Palisades Park, New Jersey.
• Other cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C. (Annandale, Virginia), Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston also have Korean communities.
• Overall, there are about 10 big Koreatowns across the U.S. with smaller pockets in other regions.

1. Major Koreatowns in the U.S.

The largest and most famous Koreatowns are in Southern California, New York, and Northern New Jersey.

• Koreatown, Los Angeles

Los Angeles‘ Koreatown is the most famous. It has a dense population of Koreans.

Spanning over 3 square miles, it’s the largest Koreatown in the world and a must-visit for anyone, including Koreans, wanting to experience Korean-American culture.

When I visited LA K-town, it gave me the vibe of Korea in the 80s or 90s!

From Korean supermarkets to restaurants, businesses, and even Korean-language radio stations, it has everything you need to feel like you’re in Seoul.

The Korean food is as authentic as the motherland, or even better.

• Koreatown, NYC

New York City‘s little Koreatown is located in the heart of Manhattan, centered on 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

It’s smaller but packed with Korean restaurants, karaoke bars, and specialty shops.

For a more authentic Koreatown experience, head to Queens, where a larger Korean population resides.

Koreatown used to be in Flushing, but Koreans moved toward Northern Boulevard and Murray Hill in eastern Queens, or Bayside and Little Neck.

Korean shops are widely distributed around Northern Boulevard around Murray Hill Station and Broadway Station.

Since the 2010s, many Koreans have also been living in the newly developed Long Island City area of ​​Queens.

• Koreatown, Palisades Park, New Jersey

The borough of Palisades Park Bergen County has a large Korean community with plenty of authentic Korean food and businesses.

Over in New Jersey, Palisades Park (which is called “Pal Park” among Koreans) has a significant Korean population, with more than 50% being Korean.

The area even allows Korean-language voting due to its large community.

2. Koreatowns in Other Cities

While there are Koreatowns in other cities, the concentration of Korean culture and businesses may vary. Some areas are more spread out compared to the dense Koreatown in Los Angeles.

In the D.C./Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area, the city of Annandale, Virginia has a Koreatown, full of bakeries, markets, and BBQ spots.

Atlanta, Georgia also has a strong Korean presence. Started in Doraville in the 1970s, it has expanded to Suwanee and now is centered around Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. You can find many Korean markets, restaurants, PC rooms, and jjimjilbang (Korean spa).

With many Koreans living in the San Francisco/San Jose area, Sunnyvale offers a small Koreatown with K-markets and businesses.

There’s a tiny Koreatown along El Camino Real near Santa Clara/San Jose in Northern California that I used to go to.

Chicago also has a Koreatown located on the North Side of the city.

Seattle, Washington has a Koreatown around Federal Way and Lynnwood.

3. Emerging Koreatowns

The Korean population is growing in some places, leading to the slow development of Koreatown-like areas.

With the rapid growth in the Korean population since 2020, cities like Dallas and Houston are seeing an increase in Korean restaurants and grocery stores.

Although there are still many Korean businesses in Annandale, a newer Korean town is springing up in the wealthier suburb of Centerville.

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With a growing Korean-American community, Koreatowns in the U.S. offer vibrant cultural experiences from coast to coast.

If you’re looking for authentic Korean food or seeking a connection to Korean culture, each Koreatown in the U.S. has something unique to offer.