48 Hours in Koreatown, Los Angeles
A Staycation Guide
Words by Jamie Kim (@jjamee.kim)
I’m a Korean American in my early 40s who grew up in a traditional Korean household, where some of my favorite childhood memories were made around the dinner table. Having been immersed in Korean food and culture my entire life, I’ve become incredibly selective about the restaurants and experiences I recommend. I’m always searching for authentic Korean flavors, hidden gems, and places that truly capture the feeling of being in Korea.
After losing my mom to stomach cancer in 2023, I started creating content as a way to preserve the memories we shared exploring Korean restaurants together. What began as a personal journey to honor those memories has grown into a community of people who trust my recommendations because they’re rooted in genuine experiences, not trends.
If you’re planning a staycation in Los Angeles, there’s no better neighborhood than Koreatown. My best friend and I recently spent 48 hours staying at The LINE Hotel, using it as our home base while exploring some of the neighborhood’s most iconic restaurants, cafés, shopping destinations, wellness experiences, and dessert spots—all just minutes from the hotel.
One of the best things about staying here is that you can park your car, check in, and spend the entire trip exploring Koreatown on foot or short drive. From an authentic Korean spa and incredible Korean BBQ to specialty cafés, unique shopping, and some of the city’s best desserts, here’s exactly how we spent our perfect 48-hour getaway.
1. Spa Palace
📍 620 S. Union Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90017 Approximately 2.2 miles from the LINE Hotel
We kicked off our staycation with a few hours at Spa Palace, one of the largest and cleanest Korean spas in Koreatown. Unlike other Korean spas in the area, Spa Palace is the only one with a large indoor swimming pool, making it feel more like a luxury wellness retreat.
The spa features multiple therapeutic sauna rooms, including Himalayan salt, clay, charcoal, ice, and traditional heated rooms, each offering different wellness benefits from relaxation and detoxification to improved circulation.
Image by Jamie Kim
Image by Jamie Kim
2. Lunch at Lee Ga
📍 3901 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
After the spa, we headed to Lee Ga, one of Koreatown’s most famous restaurants for naengmyeon, Korea’s beloved cold noodles and the ultimate summer comfort food. The restaurant is well known among both locals and Korean celebrities for its flavorful broth and perfectly chewy house pulled noodles.
We also ordered the crispy Korean pancake and handmade dumplings, which paired perfectly with the refreshing naengmyeon.
3. Alchemist Coffee Project
📍 3907 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Located right next to Lee Ga, Alchemist Coffee Project was the perfect afternoon coffee stop. It’s one of Koreatown’s most popular cafés for specialty coffee and matcha, so we ordered their best-selling Einspänner Matcha. It was rich, creamy, smooth, and beautifully balanced—definitely worth the visit.
Image by Jamie Kim
Image by Jamie Kim
4. Koreatown Plaza
📍 928 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006
For shopping, we visited Koreatown Plaza, one of the neighborhood’s most iconic shopping centers. Inside you’ll find H Mart, K-beauty stores, K-pop shops, cafés, best Korean rice cake, luxury jewelry and watch boutiques, and one of the busiest Korean food courts in Los Angeles. It’s a great place to experience a little bit of everything Korean under one roof.
5. Kim’s Home Center
📍 2750 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Next, we stopped by Kim’s Home Center, a store nearly every Korean in Los Angeles knows. Whenever Koreans need something for home, this is one of the first places they visit. From premium kitchenware and Korean-made bedding to electronics, kimchi refrigerators, home goods, K-beauty products, and everyday essentials imported directly from Korea, it’s the closest thing to shopping in Korea without boarding a plane.
Image by Jamie Kim
Image by Jamie Kim
6. Oakobing
📍 621 S Western Ave Suite 208, Los Angeles, CA 90005
No visit to Koreatown is complete without bingsoo. Oakobing serves some of the best Korean shaved ice in Los Angeles, and we couldn’t leave without trying it. Our favorite is still the Strawberry Bingsoo, but the seasonal Jeju Matcha Bingsoo was equally impressive with its rich matcha flavor and unbelievably soft, fluffy shaved ice.
7. Check-in at the LINE Hotel
📍 3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
After exploring all afternoon, we checked into the LINE Hotel to relax before dinner. We loved the hotel’s industrial, artistic design, floor-to-ceiling windows, and modern rooms. Its central location makes it an ideal home base for exploring everything Koreatown has to offer.
Image by Jamie Kim
Image by Jamie Kim
8. Dinner at Moohan Korean BBQ
📍 3635 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Less than a five-minute walk from the LINE Hotel
For dinner, we walked over to Moohan, one of Koreatown’s best premium all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurants. Along with premium meats, they offer an impressive buffet along with fresh vegetables, and you can also order unlimited bibimbap, kimchi stew, classic Korean lunch box, hot dishes, and an extensive variety of side dishes. We left completely stuffed before heading back to The LINE Hotel for a great night’s sleep.
9. Brunch at Openaire
📍 Openaire at the LINE Hotel
The next morning, we stayed at the hotel for brunch but ordered from their lunch menu. We highly recommend the Augie’s Fried Chicken Sandwich and the French Dip Sandwich—both were absolutely delicious.
The greenhouse-inspired dining room creates a bright, relaxing atmosphere during the day and an elegant ambiance at night. Before leaving, don’t skip dessert. The Crunch Chocolate Cake was incredibly rich, decadent, and layered with crunchy and creamy textures, making it one of the best desserts we had during our stay.
Image by Jamie Kim
Image by Jamie Kim
10. CHICHA San Chen
📍 625 S Ardmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005 Approximately a 2-minute walk from the LINE Hotel
After checking out, we made one final stop at CHICHA San Chen, a viral Taiwanese tea shop located just steps from the hotel. Their tea is brewed fresh to order and paired with freshly made boba throughout the day. We ordered their signature milk tea, and it was honestly one of the best boba drinks we’ve ever had. If you’re staying at the LINE Hotel, this is one stop we absolutely wouldn’t skip.
11. Final shopping stop at Yoboseyo
📍 358 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
On our way home, we made one final stop at Yoboseyo, a very popular Korean cafe and a superette. Often described as L.A.’s one-stop Asian shop, Yoboseyo is much more than just a café—it’s a cultural experience inspired by modern Seoul.
While they’re best known for their drinks and authentic matcha, we also loved browsing their thoughtfully curated collection of Asian snacks, candles, home goods, stationery, books, and lifestyle products imported directly from Asia and also locally made homegoods. Every corner of the shop feels intentional, making it easy to spend more time than you planned.
Image by Jamie Kim
Final Thoughts
The LINE Hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Koreatown, surrounded by many of Los Angeles’ most popular restaurants, cafés, dessert spots, shopping destinations, and wellness experiences. We loved being able to explore everything on foot without worrying about driving or parking.
Whether you’re visiting Los Angeles or simply planning a weekend staycation, the LINE Hotel makes the perfect home base for experiencing the very best of Koreatown.
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