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6 Koreatowns in Southeast Asia You Need to Visit

6 Koreatowns in Southeast Asia You Need to Visit

A Koreatown is a pocket of a city where the population is dominated by Koreans. Characterised by numerous Korean eateries, markets, bright lights and music, a Koreatown makes you feel like you’re right in the heart of Seoul. Southeast Asia is home to at least six different Koreatowns, and each one is unique in their very own way

  1. Sukhumvit, Bangkok

The Sukhumvit Plaza in Bangkok is a 20-year-old arcade building that is also one of Bangkok’s busiest shopping districts. There is no end to the numerous Korean food joints in the plaza, where shop fronts are often decorated with neon Hangul signboards. After enjoying the tasty offerings from the various Korean cafes and restaurants available, burn off some calories by doing some shopping!  The three-storey building also has shops that sell an array of Korean products and accessories. P.S. If you’re a huge K-Pop fan, you might just catch a glimpse of your favourite K-Pop idols on the huge LED screen situated in the centre of the plaza! 

2. Senopati, Jakarta

Row of restaurants in the Senopati area (South Jakarta) serving Korean food with signboards written with hangul letters makes you feel like you are in Korea. Therefore, it is not surprising that the area is touted as Little Korea or Korea Town in Jakarta. Although there are not too many Korean people living, this region will be the first choice when Koreans want to satisfy their longing for Korean food.

3. Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

A short distance away from the famous Petronas Twin Towers, the Ampang district in Kuala Lumpur also houses the largest community of Korean expatriates in Malaysia. Driving around the area, you can easily spot Korean restaurants, marts, and even hair salons. There is also a 4,000 square foot Korean ministry church in the area! Referred to as “Little Korea”, Ampang is definitely an area worth visiting if you’re longing for a taste of Korea.

4. Tanjong Pagar, Singapore

In Singapore, the Tanjong Pagar area is known to locals as a mini Koreatown due to the abundance of Korean-themed shops and eateries located there. The lines of picturesque historical shophouses are home to some of the best authentic Korean barbecue and fried chicken restaurants in the country. Don’t be surprised to find snaking queues forming outside these joints in the evenings. 

Apart from Korean cuisine, you will also find Korean supermarkets run by ahjummas where you will be able to stock up on affordable Korean snacks and groceries. The area is a hot favourite amongst both tourists and locals!

5. Malate, Manila

On 21 Mar 2021, it was announced that a Koreatown would soon be built in Manila’s Malate area. The news was revealed during a meeting between Manila City’s mayor Isko Moreno and South Korean ambassador Kim In-Chul. The district is already well-known among both tourists as well as locals due to the many Korean establishments that can be found there. While Manila’s Koreatown is still in the works, it is definitely something Hallyu fans in the Philippines can look forward to.

6. Phu My Hung, Ho Chi Minh City

Located in Ho Chi Minh’s District 7, the Phu My Hung complex has grown into an area with one of the largest Korean communities in Vietnam. The South Korean population in Phu My Hung is so large that most signboards and store signs in the district are written only in Korean – even ambulances have Korean words written on them! Stepping into the area truly makes you feel like you have just arrived in Seoul. With more than 10,000 South Koreans living in District 7, the Koreatown in Ho Chi Minh is the closest you can get to experiencing Korea in Southeast Asia.

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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