Just south of Hollywood and west of Downtown LA is Koreatown! Convenient to Rapid Lines and the Metro Purple Line, this area is the spot for Korean culture, foods, and stores.
Shopping at the Plaza and Galleria is a must for those in the area. Have your fill to eat at the various tofu houses and Korean BBQ places. Want to learn more about Korean culture? Check out the Korean Cultural Center!
To get to the start of the tour:
Use the Metro Trip Planner
Important Note: Please make sure to always check times and schedules for transportation, destinations and events.
This tour includes the following stops:
Wilshire/Western Station & Wilshire/La Brea bus stop
Wilshire/Normandie Station & Wilshire/Vermont Station
Wilshire/Western Station (Purple Line) Take the Metro Purple 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 Purple Line to Wilshire/Normandie Metro station:
Wilshire/Normandie Station
Proceed to street level and walk two blocks south on Normandie to 8th Street and turn right.
For a traditional Korean dinner, locals recommend 
Dong-Il-Jang (3455 W. 8th St.;213/383-5757). You can sit on cushions on a straw floor and order Korean barbecue, hot casseroles, Korean pancakes or just noodles.
Venture a few steps west on Sixth Street to 
Antique (3465 W. 6th St.;213/383-4994) located within Chapman Market, a beautiful historic building. If you enjoy playing pool, stop in at 
Renaissance Billiards(3465 W. 6th St.;213/380-6864), a popular Korean bar located above the Bohemian Restaurant (3451 W. 6th St.; 213/487-6155).
Wilshire/Vermont Station
From the Wilshire/Normandie Metro station, go one stop to the Wilshire/Vermont Metro station. Proceed to street level, and walk west on Wilshire Boulevard.
End the night at 
The Palm Tree (3240 Wilshire Blvd.; 213/381-3388) for neon bowling. They not only have neon bowling, they offer pool tables, karaoke, a full service restaurant, cafe and sports bar.
