It’s not all just Hollywood glitz and glamour here in LA, the city is also rich in diversity as its many immigrants contribute their culture and heritage to the city. You can witness this diversity for yourselves by taking a look at the various ethnic neighbourhoods that we’ve compiled for you right here in this guide to LA’s diverse neighbourhoods!
Koreatown
West of downtown LA lies Koreatown, one of LA’s densest and most diverse neighbourhoods. While it’s only 3 square miles, it has plenty to offer you on your visit by way of late night entertainment complexes, amazing restaurants, hipster cafes and malls. It’s a great place to explore on foot as it’s one of the more walkable neighbourhoods in LA. Here you’ll find 24-hour fun in karaoke bars and Korean BBQ restaurants where you and your friends can party all night long! Apart from Korean establishments, you can also lay your eyes on The Wiltern and its fancy Art Deco exterior, or just catch a film or event there. For more on what to do in Koreatown, check out our guide to the neighbourhood here!
Little Tokyo
The heart of the largest Japanese-American population in North America, Little Tokyo is also one of the three official Japan-towns in the US, its roots extending all the way to the turn of the 20th century. Unleash your inner otaku at the old-school manga shops and sushi restaurants that exist alongside newer establishments like Daikokuya, a hot favourite among ramen-lovers in the area. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is also home to the lovely Garden of the Clear Stream - a name that really calls to mind serenity. Take a stroll and discover a small slice of authentic Japanese life here!
Chinatown
While certainly not as massive as its San Francisco counterpart, LA’s Chinatown is still worth checking out, and is one of the popular attractions in downtown LA. Easily accessible by metro, the neighbourhood is home to many interesting sights such as the Chinese American Museum, which explores the general history of the area and of Chiense in America. There are also plenty of pagodas and temples for you to pay respects or take pictures of as symbols that are steeped in heritage and culture. Bruce Lee’s former martial arts studio has also recently reopened its doors! Pop by and witness the place where Jeet Kune Do, Lee’s own fighting style, was born.
Little Armenia
Little Armenia is so named for its first Armenian immigrants, who had escaped genocide and arrived in LA just at the turn of the twentieth century. While this small neighbourhood is often overlooked, its down-to-earth Armenian food still makes it worth your time. Marouch is a Little Armenia stalwart, and serves a mix of Lebanese and Armenian cuisine. Try its mezze platters, which are praised by critics and customers alike. Carousel Restaurant also has tasty Armenian and Lebanese cuisine, with its labneh coming highly recommended. If you’re more into breads and pastries, try Taron Bakery, which is lauded for its value for money creations! Interesting fact about the neighbourhood: the main LA branch of the Church of Scientology is located here, and you can find a small stretch of road named L. Ron Hubbard way, after the Church’s founder. Come and visit this hidden gem for yourself!
Thai Town
Next to Little Armenia is the equally humble but bustling Thai Town. Its entrances are marked by the apsonsi, a mythical creature in Thai folklore that’s half human and half lion. It’s home to as many as 80,000 Thai Americans, while also encompassing some Latino and Armenian communities. It’s the first place in America to be officially designated as a “Thai Town” in 1999, and it celebrates Songkran every first Sunday of April by shutting off the streets and bringing out the parade festivities and Thai street food stalls - good to take note if you’re visiting then! Jitlada Restaurant is a Thai Town classic that has gained acclaim for its spicy Southern Thai cuisine. If you’re feeling game, try their spicy dynamite challenge, in which you have to finish a spicy stir fry of your choice of meat with bell peppers, green beans and Thai basil in a spicy mix of fresh and dried Thai chilies. Warning: this isn’t for the faint hearted, so take on this challenge only if you absolutely love your spicy food!
Little Ethiopia
Little Ethiopia is located in the Mid-Wilshire district of LA, on Fairfax Avenue, and many residents of Ethiopian and Eritrean descent live and work here. The most established Ethiopian restaurant on the row is Meals By Genet, which is an ideal place to be introduced to the world of Ethiopian cuisine. Doro wot, or stewed chicken, is an essential Ethiopian dish, and it so happens to be one of their most famous dishes as well. Among other Ethiopian restaurants here include Buna Ethiopian Restaurant & Market, which stays true to highlighting the importance of coffee in Ethiopia. It holds regular coffee-tasting events and also has a full espresso menu for you to choose from. Satisfy your travelling spirit and explore a different part of the world right here in Little Ethiopia!
Historic Filipinotown
Historic Filipinotown makes up the Southwest portion of Echo Park, and is also one of LA’s lesser-explored ethnic neighbourhoods. Once you’re here, you can’t miss the huge mural in Unidad Park, which gives you a quick historical and cultural lesson on the Philippines. Jose Rizal, Manny Pacquiao and Lea Salonga are some icons that have been painted by artist Eliso Silva’s to take ownership and pride in the legacies of the Filipino-American community. Every month, the Pilipino Workers Centre holds a guided tour on a 1944 Sarao Motors jeepney, as the jeepney is one of the most common forms of local transport in the Philippines - try planning your visit to coincide with the tour! In terms of food, you won’t be disappointed. Dollar Hits is a place that sells $1 Filipino skewers - you can get anything from fishball to grilled pork intestine to even fried chicken head, all without busting your wallet!
Tehrangeles (Persian Square)
Also known as Little Persia, Tehrangeles houses the largest Iranian population outside of Iran, and occupies Westwood Boulevard between Wilshire and Pico. It was established by immigrants following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, when many citizens fled the country. You can find out more about Iranian arts and culture by visiting some of the local shops such as Damoka, a store that sells beautiful Persian rugs, and Ketabsara Persian Bookstore, which specialises in Iranian literature and artworks. Delectable Iranian fare awaits you as well at Shaherzad, which is one of the first Persian restaurants to open up here in 1982. Their khoobideh (ground beef) kabob and chicken khoobideh (ground chicken) kabob are standouts, and the food here is known to be consistently tasty. You can’t miss on the Persian ice cream at Saffron & Rose too, which is vastly different from regular ice cream. It’s somewhere between ice cream and gelato, and Saffron & Rose specialise in interesting flavours like white rose and pistachio & saffron.
Leimert Park (African-American culture)
Leimert Park is widely known for being the centre of African American culture in LA, and was even dubbed by filmmaker John Singleton as the “Black Greenwich Village.” Legendary musicians Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles once resided in this neighbourhood, a testament to the significance of this place to the community. There are many activities to do here, such as the Leimert Park Art Walk, which takes place every last Sunday of the month, from 2pm to 8pm. This is a free event that showcases the works of local artists and performers, and promises vibrant fun for whoever comes to visit! The Crenshaw Farmers’ Market that takes place every Saturday from 10am to 3pm is also hugely popular with the local folk with its wide variety of produce, flowers, breads and all things food! It’s been called one of the most important strongholds of black culture, so if you want to immerse yourself in local culture this is definitely a significant place to visit.
