Take the Metro Red Line to the Wilshire/Western Metro station, and proceed to street level.

Get some sleep, because Koreatown is not only a great day trip, but promises to entertain into the wee hours of the morning.

Spend the first part of the morning taking in some shopping. A few blocks east on Wilshire Boulevard, stop in one of Koreatown's newest shopping destinations, the Aroma Center (3680 Wilshire Blvd.; 213/387-0111). Or walk south on Western Avenue, from the Metro station to Koreatown Plaza (928 S. Western at 9th St.; 213/382-1234). Inside the plaza, you'll find everything from a Korean grocery store, Korean stationery store, Korean bakery, cosmetics, clothing, Korean music store, and health food store. Grab lunch at the food court serving a variety of Korean food ranging from Korean barbecue to Korean style noodles, to spicy tofu casserole (soon tofu), to bim-bim-bap (rice with vegetables and meat served sizzling in a hot stone pot).
Still have energy to shop? Head one block south on Western Avenue to Olympic to the Koreatown Galleria (3250 W. Olympic Blvd.; 323/733-6000).

Wilshire/La Brea bus stop

Head back to Wilshire and Western and board the Wilshire Rapid bus (#720) to Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.Walk west on Wilshire Boulevard to the Korean Cultural Center.

Be sure to check out the Korean Cultural Center (5505 Wilshire Blvd.; 323/936-7141). You can see Korean art exhibits, artifacts and a resource library on Korea and Korean culture. Be sure to call ahead for hours and current exhibitions.

Wilshire/Western Station

Take the Wilshire Rapid bus east toward Koreatown and depart at Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue. Walk west on Wilshire Boulevard to the next destination.

Experience a traditional Korean tea ceremony. The calm, soothing atmosphere of Hwa Sun Ji (3960 Wilshire Blvd.; 213/382-5302) is sure to remind you of old Korea. If you don't have time for a tea ceremony, stop in for traditional hot and cold teas. After taking in the Korean cultural setting, you will see why Korea is called "Land of the Morning Calm."

For Korean barbecue, check out Woo Lae Oak (623 S. Western Ave.; 213/384-2244), located just north of the Wilshire/Western Metro station. For a traditional Korean dinner take the Metro Red Line to Wilshire/Normandie Metro station: