Every big urban city has ethnic neighborhoods, and Los Angeles — with about 3.8 million people from 140 different countries speaking 224 different languages — is no exception.
And that’s just the urban center. The larger metro area boasts 12.8 million people, making it one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world and the second-largest in the United States.
There are little ethnic enclaves like Chinatown, Little Ethiopia (most expensive gasoline, we noticed), Little Armenia, Tehrangeles, Thai Town and Historic Filipinotown.
But the two neighborhoods I wanted to take my mom were Little Tokyo (what we used to call Japan Town) and Koreantown.
According to the 2010 Census, non-whites made up just over half of the population of LA, with Asians totaling 11.3 percent. So it’s no wonder these neighborhoods are here — and, at least with Koreatown, growing, too.
We started the day in Little Tokyo, hit a bakery in between, then bought dinner in Koreatown.
Here’s what that adventure looked like:
11 Comments
I absolutely love Little Tokyo but sad that it is not the place it used to be. I think having the JANM there has certainly helped the neighborhood. When my husband and I got married in LA, we stayed in Little Tokyo and went to Yamazaki Bakery every morning for breakfast. My husband just loved the pastries. There also used to be some really good smaller eating places with traditional Japanese noodles or food. Also good places to get bentos and shopping in general. We stayed at the New Otani and got married at Yamashiro Restaurant which has a beautiful Japanese garden and overlooks LA.
I agree. The neighborhood has changed and it’s getting smaller and smaller. I’m just glad my mom got to see what’s left!
I had no idea that’s where Mochi Ice Cream was invented.
No, are you serious?
Hi Cat, that Kyochon chicken looked GOOD! Mahalos for posting pics from the Del Cerro Park, I’ve forgotten how Rancho PV had some nice scenic places. I’m gonna have to hit it for a nice walk soon.
Fantastic! I need to taste that fried chicken!
Did you miss the Go For Broke Monument just north from the JA Museum?
Unfortunately, Frances Hashimoto passed away recently.
Oh, no! I didn’t know that! Thanks for the head’s up.
Those fonut flavors sound amazing!!
Frances credited her husband, Joel , as the one who came up with the idea for Mochi ice cream.