Hotlanta has a lot going for it. It’s also home to the largest Korean population in the Southeast.
The Koreatown (or towns since there are four) in Georgia is actually a bit northeast of Atlanta.
Just follow the Buford Highway Corridor through Gwinnett County to Duluth and Suwanee to encounter a plethora of Korean shops, restaurants, and businesses.
Here are the top things to do in Koreatown, Atlanta.
What to know
- Atlanta’s Koreatown is mostly centered around the I-85 corridor, extending from Northeast Atlanta (Chamblee) along Buford Highway through Gwinnett County to Suwanee.
- Like with most cities, there’s an “old Koreatown” near the urban center and newer ones in the surrounding suburbs.
- Duluth, Suwanee, Doraville and Johns Creek have the four largest pockets of Korean businesses.
- The Korean-American community is relatively new in Atlanta, forming in the late 80s and early 90s.
- There are approximately 100,000 Koreans in the area.
- Nearly half can be found in Gwinnett County.
- There are four Korean-language television stations that broadcast in the Atlanta area.
- Korean is the 3rd most commonly spoken language in Georgia.
- Locals can get their daily news from the Atlanta ChoSun in Korean.
Where is Koreatown in Atlanta, Georgia?
From the Northeastern outskirts of Atlanta along Buford Highway all the way up to Suwanee, you can find pockets of Korean businesses.
What to do
Korean festivals, tours and cultural events
The annual Atlanta Korean Festival celebrates Korean and Korean American culture and heritage. It’s typically held in September at the Korean Community Center.
It offers traditional Korean music and dance performances, as well as contemporary K-Pop and Nanta-style comedy shows. There’s also martial arts demonstrations such as Taekwondo and a Ssireum (Korean wrestling) tournament.
One of the highlights is the wide range of authentic Korean cuisine. You can sample dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi, as well as other traditional Korean treats.
The Atlanta Korean Festival is a family-friendly event that’s open to everyone. Best of all, admission is free!
5900 Brook Hollow Pkwy, Norcross, GA 30071, USA
If you prefer sharing your dining experience with a big group, check out the Seoul of the South Tour.
You’ll get to taste a variety of traditional Korean dishes and learn about the culture in Gwinnett.
Many of the major K-pop tours in the US go through Atlanta, so keep your eyes peeled.
Korean cultural organizations
The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) was founded in 2003 to promote, you guessed it, Korean culture in the United States through education and performing arts.
They’re especially big on Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion) and even organized 100 performers to put on a show at Mets Korean Night in New York.
3483 Satellite Blvd. Ste 211-S Duluth, GA30096
The Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta
One of the oldest Korean American groups in the region. They organize the annual Atlanta Korean Festival. I would recommend speaking Korean if you plan on joining.
5900 Brook Hollow Pkwy, Norcross, GA 30071
Korean monuments
There’s a small Korean War Veterans Memorial in Atlanta, Georgia. The memorial honors the sacrifice of the 740 Georgian residents who died serving in the Korean War.
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Atlanta, GA 30334-5100
Parks
Piedmont Park is 1 mile northeast of downtown at the entrance to the road through Koreatown.
It’s one of Atlanta’s most popular urban parks and covers approximately 189 acres. It features a wide variety of recreational activities and attractions including walking and biking trails, sports fields and courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, a dog park, a lake and beautiful gardens and natural areas.
1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States
If want to get completely out in nature, head up the I-75 N to Tennessee where you can enjoy Abrams Falls Trail, the most underrated path in the Smoky Mountains!
Billiards
Red Fox Billiards Club is considered to have the best tables in town.
6035 Peachtree Rd ste a-215, Doraville, GA 30360, United States
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a fun way to learn fast, powerful kicks and other cool stuff like throws and joint locks. There are many choices in the region, but you can’t go wrong with Karnath’s TaeKwonDo Academy.
1175 Buford Hwy NE #119, Suwanee, GA 30024, United States
Hair salons
There are many choices when it comes to getting haircuts, color and perms Korean style.
SM HAIR STUDIO SALON is worth a look. It’s said that the owner can tell what hairstyle fits the shape of your face (an underrated skill).
3585 Peachtree Industrial Blvd #168, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
Korean spa
Jeju Spa is an institution in Georgia. It features traditional Korean baths with heated pools, saunas, a fitness room, plus a nail salon and restaurant.
3555 Gwinnett Pl Dr NW, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
Spa Land and Sauna is the up-and-coming Korean spa in the area that’s newer and a little more upscale.
2645 N Berkeley Lake Rd NW Building C, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
What to eat
Korean BBQ
9292 Korean BBQ is one of the most popular and consistent Korean BBQ places in the area. It features trendy decorations, charcoal grills, and an open kitchen.
3360 Satellite Blvd #8, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
Insider Tip: Koreans from the motherland don’t really believe in food allergies, so be sure to mention anything you can’t eat to your server. They might ignore you, but it’s worth a try.
Won Kitchen (Lets Bap)
Great for when you’re in the mood for something lighter, but still delicious.
5460 Peachtree Blvd b, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States
White Windmill Bakery and Cafe
Korean bakeries just hit different. White Windmill is an independently-owned bakery chain with a few locations around Gwinnett County.
5881 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340, United States
3230 Steve Reynolds Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
What to buy
Korean red ginseng
It wouldn’t be an official Koreatown without a Red Ginseng shop!
ChengKwanJang is the biggest chain straight from the motherland where you can get that sweet energy boost.
2550 Pleasant Hill Rd #107, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
Korean groceries
H-Mart may have conquered the states, but be sure to check out some other chains like MegaMart and Zion Market as well as Assi Plaza. You never know what you might find.
More about Korean grocery stores
Where to stay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta NE
If you’re looking for a well-managed budget option right smack in the middle of Gwinnet Place, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta NE is your best bet.
3530 Breckinridge Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown
Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Duluth Downtown is a mouthful to say, but one of the better hotels in the area. It’s centrally-located in a quiet neighborhood, so you get easy access to all the bustling joints in Koreatown, while getting a good night’s sleep.
It also has charming views of Duluth City Hall and the surrounding parks.
3141 Hill St NW, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
Do I need to tip here?
While tipping isn’t a thing in South Korea, you should follow local customs at Koreatown in Atlanta.
What are some cool things I can do in Koreatown?
Did we miss anything?
Let us know your thoughts about Koreatown in Atlanta!
Hi,
I just moved to Atlanta and I’m looking for a place to fix my nails. Could you provide a few nail salon in Atlanta for me to try?
Thanks!
Hi Cecily,
Here are some Korean nail salons in your area:
NAIL FAVOR (3802 Roswell Road # C, Atlanta, GA 30342)
Brillante Nail & SPA (10350 Medlock Bridge Road #206 , Johns Creek, GA 30097)
Thanks much!
Love the guide! So helpful. The website for the Atlanta Korean Festival isn’t working. Are they still holding it every year?
Hi Jen, yes it’s still running, but they changed the website (https://www.koreanfestivalfoundation.com/event-details/2024-korean-festival). I’ll update it now, thanks!
Great article, thanks!
Hi Janine, glad to hear it!
Hi, I am going to Atlanta and will stay at Hilton Atlanta downtown close to peachtree station. Can you tell me what is the best way to go to Ktown?
If I take Marta, which station I should get off and then do I need to take bus? I prefer not to drive since not familiar with the city and I do not want take Uber.
Also, which of ktown the busiest one with lots of shops? Duluth, Doraville, Suwanee, Buford, Lawrenceville, Alpharetta, Atlanta? Thank you