When talking about Korean businesses in Long Beach, newcomers often ask, "Where is Koreatown?"

However, Long Beach does not have a structure where Korean shops are clustered together like in LA Koreatown.

Instead, you can find one or two well-placed businesses where you need them.

The first thing that stands out is definitely the Korean restaurants. There are quite a few options, including tofu houses, barbecue spots, chicken places, and snack shops.

Long Beach itself has some decent Korean restaurants, and if you drive a little to Torrance, Gardena, or Cerritos, there are many famous ones. When customers want Korean food, I often find solutions nearby instead of going all the way to LA.

Shopping is also not too inconvenient. For items not available in Long Beach, you can find most things in nearby cities with Korean markets like H Mart, Han Nam Chain, or Galleria Market within a 20-30 minute drive. After living in the U.S. for a while, this distance feels like just a quick trip to the neighborhood.

There are also many professionals in essential fields among the Korean community. You can easily find Korean-speaking doctors, dentists, and traditional medicine practitioners, as well as accountants, insurance agents, real estate agents, and lawyers. Especially for important matters like tax filing or home buying, connections through church or acquaintances are much more common than searching online. Word of mouth is very powerful in the U.S.

There are quite a few car-related businesses run by Korean owners as well. You can find a variety of services, including auto repair shops, body shops, tire specialists, and used car dealers. Just being able to communicate comfortably in Korean makes a big difference.

A unique feature of Long Beach is definitely its port. With Long Beach Port and LA Port nearby, there are surprisingly many Korean companies involved in logistics and trade. Koreans work in various fields, including forwarding companies, customs brokers, transportation companies, and warehousing. Many companies also deal with Korean businesses, so there are opportunities for those who may have limited English skills.

The business atmosphere is also a bit different. Unlike the highly competitive vibe of LA Koreatown, there is still a culture of introducing each other and connecting customers. Sometimes, just saying, "I was referred by someone" can change the atmosphere significantly.

So for those newly settling in Long Beach, don't just rely on internet searches; make sure to show your face at Korean churches, clubs, golf meetings, and local communities. You'll find that good information often circulates through people.

In my experience, while the scale of Korean businesses in Long Beach may not be large, they cover almost all essential needs. It may not be a flashy Koreatown, but there are many long-standing business owners, and a culture of trust prevails. There's a saying that in America, people are your wealth, and in Long Beach, that saying feels even more real.