K-town is no longer exclusive to LA — Buena Park’s rising Korean American presence has earned itself the official “Koreatown” label, with a vibrant food scene to prove it.
Why it matters: The Korean diaspora isn’t just concentrated in Los Angeles. New territory has been claimed in Orange County, and that means you’ll never run out of places to eat OR park when exploring this food crawl in the city of Buena Park. It’s an entirely different mecca for K-food enthusiasts and worth the trip!
Why now: The Buena Park City Council officially designated its northern portion as “Koreatown” this fall.
What’s on the menu?: Korean fried chicken, squid ink hot dogs, mouth-watering dumplings, K-BBQ galore, classic bakery treats, and more!
I’ve lived in Buena Park (and Buena Park adjacent) for more than a decade, calling it “The Better Koreatown” because of its equally delicious food crawl, yet generous parking.
Like… free parking.
(FWIW, I moved to Los Feliz this summer and proudly rep my Angeleno DNA as I too now endure the insufferable hunt for an open space on the streets of K-town.)
Over the years, Buena Park’s identity has become less attached to iconic attractions like Knott’s Berry Farm, and more synonymous with trendy Korean hot dogs or where one might possibly be discovered as the next K-pop idol.
City officials made the move to officially designate its northern portion as Koreatown this Fall. And as much as I love LA’s K-town, I still find myself driving down to BP every weekend.
In some ways, exiting the 91 Freeway feels like visiting a comforting friend — the one you always make time to see no matter how chaotic life gets. A friend that grows with you, and reminds you of who you used to be.
For me as a church kid, Sundays meant following mom to an AC-less building on Alondra Boulevard and listening to Korean aunties and uncles pray for hours until holy beads of sweat formed. The heat was nearly unbearable.
Then, the lunch potluck would arrive: A nourishing spread of homemade banchan surrounding a heaping pot of rice to cure the weak and weary.
When I got to college and struggled to afford my own lunches on campus, I shamelessly did rounds of samples at three Korean markets competing for foot traffic on the corner of Beach and Malvern (Hannam Chain you are my first love, but thank you Zion Market and H Mart for moving in). Rice cakes, noodles, favorite snacks from the motherland, and every so often — a prized piece of tteok-galbi!
Today, I’m amazed by how the city continues to cement its Hanguk influence. It’s not new that BP is home to a hub of Korean American businesses; what baffles me is the speed and persistence at which they develop.
So if you’re up for exploring Orange County’s K-food scene with family, friends, or your own adventurous palate, I’ve compiled a generous list to bookmark. Like many lists of beloved things, mine is incomplete. But I hope this guide can help you and your loved ones enjoy the holidays with tasty Korean flavors, reduced parking stress, and your best pair of stretchy pants.
For lovers of sweet and savory sauces, it’s a lip-smacking journey here. ATOYUBU opened this August and I’ve never seen a menu dedicated entirely to yubuchobap — thinly fried tofu stuffed with rice and a variety of toppings. It’s served chilled, similar to a sushi roll, and two pieces are filling. Perfect for when you’re hungry but not in the mood for a full meal.
Hidden gem: Minduelle
Braised black cod and tofu at Mindeulle in Buena Park
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Jacklyn Kim/LAist
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The true litmus test for a delicious Korean restaurant: scan the room for elderly Korean customers. If they're in the majority, your taste buds are guaranteed to be transported to Korea. Mindeulle serves up classic meals in a tiny hole in the wall that feels like Grandma’s kitchen, so be prepared to wait. Taking a Korean chaperone will likely ensure a better experience.
One stop shop: The Source OC
The Source OCshopping plaza has it all for K-foodies: two food courts, a theater with Korean snacks, several floors of restaurants, cafes, dessert, and more.
Misoolkwan - Excellent pub with the superior M Korean BBQ next door.
Pelicana - The BEST fried chicken chain from Korea that only recently made its way to L.A.
JAWS TPK - TPK stands for topokki, but it’s the kimbap that truly shines here!
Monday to Sunday - Formerly known as Mealtop, they serve a nutty, bean-coated injeolmi pancake that is to die for (not to be confused with its sibling, the injeolmi toast).
Beloved clones from L.A.
Jinsol Gukbap - New to BP, but this branch serves the trendy marinated raw crab as a side dish.
King Chang - Solid KBBQ that set up shop in BP before LA, with a specialty for grilled intestines.
Mhat Korean Restaurant - Next door in La Palma and an absolute must try for dakgalbi (spicy braised chicken but FYI it’s a sin to not order the udon and sweet potato add ons).
Han Yang - A staple embraced by non-Koreans for their galbi tang (gentle but flavorful short rib soup) and donkatsu (perfectly breaded fried pork cutlet).
Hooroorook - My faaavorite chilled noodles. Please order the “water” makguksu!
