Step aside, Rodeo Drive. Shopping in LA’s Koreatown is a whole different animal, and you’ll have a cultural experience just by stepping into one of Koreatown’s shopping centers. You’ll find a bounty of fashion, jewelry, electronics, cosmetics, gifts and other goods — many of them imported directly from Korea. If you think malls are just conglomerations of chain stores, think again. At Koreatown’s shopping centers, unique is the keyword.
3250 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
323.733.6000
www.koreatowngalleria.com
Opened in September 2001, this sparkling shopping center has become the commercial hub for Koreatown. Shops include a collection of high-end fashion boutiques and specialty stores, including Barneys (not the Barneys you're thinking of) and Cosmetic World. It’s one of the best places to explore LA’s Korean culture in a completely new, modernized environment. Be prepared: this popular spot draws big crowds on weekends.
What to Look For: Check out the gift shops for an assortment of items you can find only in Koreatown such as authentic Korean dresses and engraved chopsticks.
928 S. Western Ave., #300
Los Angeles, CA 90006
213.382.1234
www.koreatownplaza.com
Modern retailers have made their homes in the Koreatown Plaza, complete with more than 80 specialty shops. The stores have a distinct Korean flavor to them, with a handful of shops offering products solely from Korea. You won’t find Saks Fifth Avenue here, but you will find a host of boutique shops offering the latest fashions from both Europe and Asia.
What to Look For: The food court is one of the best places to eat authentic — and inexpensive — Korean food, offering dishes such as green tea dumplings and specialty noodles.
3150 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
323.732.9006
No-nonsense stores give you what you need without the glamour of K-Town’s other shopping centers, but you’ll get a better sense of old school Koreatown here, where English speakers are few and far between. Pick out souvenirs or do some bargain hunting for Asian ceramic and porcelain art.
What to Look For: Traditional Korean slippers, dut beoseon, to wear around the house.
5th St. and Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
The 20-year-old California Marketplace is another popular shopping hub for Koreatown, but be on the lookout for a complete renovation. A new three-story retail center is on its way, boasting 45,000 square feet, 60 stores, a bank and a two-level garage for 470 cars.
