An English-language guide to Los Angeles’ Koreatown, created by the Korea Daily in partnership with Hanmi Bank, drew an unexpectedly strong response at this year’s CiCLAVIA street festival. The Koreatown English guide featured local small businesses and was distributed to festival attendees, many of whom lined up to receive a copy.
Download the Koreatown English guide
The guidebook highlighted popular Koreatown restaurants, cafés, barbershops, and other local businesses promoted on the Kdaily Insider social media platforms on Instagram and TikTok. It aimed to introduce these businesses to non-Korean visitors and help them explore the neighborhood’s food, culture, and services.
Rising interest in Korean culture and travel
Demand far exceeded expectations. As soon as 2,000 copies were made available at CiCLAVIA, they were quickly taken by attendees. According to organizers, the strongest interest came from young non-Korean visitors and participants who were already engaged with Korean culture. Their response demonstrated growing curiosity about Koreatown and its expanding cultural footprint.
At the booth, many attendees said they planned to visit Korea or wanted to learn more about Koreatown. Their comments indicated that interest in Korean culture now extends beyond popular entertainment. In addition, visitors expressed enthusiasm for food, travel, and cultural experiences throughout the community.
The scene at CiCLAVIA confirmed how Korean culture continues to broaden its appeal among diverse audiences. It also offered a real-time look at how Koreatown remains a destination for those seeking both authenticity and cultural exploration.
![Participants at CiCLAVIA stand in line to receive copies of the Koreatown English guide. [Gyeongeun Park, The Korea Daily]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1126-guide-1.jpg)
Next steps to promote Koreatown
For the Korea Daily, participating in CiCLAVIA provided an opportunity to engage with new audiences and expand awareness of Koreatown. The event also reinforced the value of spotlighting small businesses and supporting the local economy.
The publication plans to continue developing projects that introduce Koreatown to non-Korean communities while promoting local entrepreneurs. Organizers say future efforts will build on the momentum generated at this year’s festival.
