When I first mentioned that I was moving to Hartford, many people around me expressed their concerns.

One of the common questions was, "What will you eat there?" It's not like LA or New York where there's a Korean restaurant on every corner, so I was honestly a bit worried too.

However, once I got here, I realized that this is definitely not a neighborhood where you need to worry about a lack of Korean food.

If you consider not just Hartford but also West Hartford, Wethersfield, and New Britain, which are about a 15-20 minute drive away, there are plenty of dining options.

Starting with Korean food, Hartford has KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot. It's a place where you can enjoy both Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, making it great for groups to try a variety of dishes. While it may not be exactly like a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant, it definitely satisfies the craving for grilled meat.

If you're looking for something more authentically Korean, there's Angry Tofu in Wethersfield.

They offer dishes like sundubu jjigae, bulgogi, bibimbap, and jeon, which always puts my mind at ease when I see places like this. Living in America, sometimes it's more comforting to find a place that serves a proper bowl of sundubu than to have ten places that do burgers well.

If you head to New Britain, you can also find Seoul BBQ. They focus on Korean BBQ where you grill your own meat, and they have a menu that includes japchae, tteokbokki, jjajangmyeon, and naengmyeon, making it a good spot for family outings.

In downtown Hartford, there are also long-established restaurants like Ichiban Japanese & Korean that serve both Korean and Japanese dishes, and in downtown Pratt Street, you can find Sunberry Restaurant and Bar, where you can enjoy bibimbap or Korean-style chicken.

If you like Chinese food, Song Restaurant in West Hartford specializes in dishes like xiaolongbao, Chengdu-style wontons, and dan dan noodles, while those who enjoy spicy Sichuan cuisine can check out Sichuan Alley Bistro or Shu Restaurant.

It's funny how Korean taste buds work; you might think you can't live without gochujang, but then you find yourself enjoying Chinese food with mala seasoning.

It's not just Korean and Asian food either. West Hartford is home to Coracora - Original location, known for Peruvian cuisine, and there are also popular Italian restaurants like Treva and Restaurant Bricco.

If you enjoy seafood, Max's Oyster Bar is quite famous in West Hartford Center. In fact, West Hartford Center has a dense concentration of restaurants and shops, making it a popular dining destination compared to downtown Hartford.

Park Road is an older commercial area with a mix of restaurants, cafes, and small shops, offering a different atmosphere compared to a mall filled with franchises.

When comparing Hartford's food culture to LA's Koreatown, it's naturally a bit disappointing. It's not a place where you can just go out at 11 PM craving seolleongtang and find a place to eat.

That said, it's not accurate to say that "there's nothing for Koreans to eat." There is a surprisingly good variety of Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Peruvian, Italian, and seafood options available.

In fact, as you live here longer, you start to develop your own favorite spots. At first, you might think, "Oh no, what will I eat here?" but after a few months, you might find yourself pondering, "Should I have sundubu today or dan dan noodles?" It turns out that there is always something to eat in a place where people live.