Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mayorgc]

I hear there is one near inchon or ichon or something, on one of the seoul rail stops. but other than that, according to wikipedia, there are no chinatowns in south korea.

[Xuanzang]

Incheon and in Busan are the famous ones or just the ones I`ve heard about.

[lsrupert]

There definitely is one in Incheon. I believe that it is the last stop on line number 1 (the dark blue line). I actually live in Seoul, and have been told by students that the only place to buy certain things is in the Chinese sections of town, but I have no idea of where they are. You should check out Incheon. The Chinatown there is pretty cool.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Guro is the real deal.

[Binch Lover]

According to Arirang TV, there's a very small Chinese area in Myeong-Dong somewhere. Search around and you'll probably find it.

[mayorgc]

so if i take line one, get off at incheon, i'll easily find it?

are we talking about incheon the airport city? or is this a part of seoul, like gangnam

[RACETRAITOR]

The thing about Chinatowns in Korea is that they're not what you'd call authentic, and many if not most of the so-called Chinese people are ethnic Koreans with Chinese citizenship who left China and found that they're no longer really wanted here. Also, the food in most of these Chinatowns is generally the same as you'd find in any other Chinese restaurant anywhere in Korea.

[mayorgc]

i'm new to s.k. so are all these places in the seaol metro area? i just looked at a map, i can easily make it to incheon. busan..... not so much. so are there any specific directions to any of these chinatowns??? i'd like to hit them all in one day, but i doubt that's possible.

[definitely maybe]

[Tiger Beer]

The Incheon one is certainly the most famous one in Korea, but do NOT expect much.

It is a 'chinatown', but I wouldn't call it an ethnic community enclave. It just seems to be an area with a number of Chinese restaurants, but isn't exactly filled with Chinese people all over by any means.

[ckub]

For Incheon Chinatown, go to Incheon station, line number one, and when you exit the subway station, you'll see the big entry to Chinatown. Seriously, you can't miss it. Make sure you go up the stairs on the main street as it leads to a nice little quiet park. There's also a chinese garden (free) on the main street, but it's easy to miss so keep an eye open.

Enjoy!

[sojourner1]

Texas street in Busan is very much a real China town, even the buildings style and everything is too. It's on the other side of the big street from Busan KTX station. Walk under the big street using the subway station access. They call it the international district which is where the Americans used to hang out a great deal when there were more Americans based in Busan years ago. Now days, American Navy occasionally take a liberty day pass in Busan so you'll see things for sale that appeal to American GI's like rebel flag belt buckles and western T-shirts, but it's mostly Chinese style restaurants and businesses catering to real Chinese people. It's right at the port area downtown so they're around.

I understand it once was very westernized, but is Chinesized today since it's customer based changed hands. I understand it once was comparable to Itaewon for westerners to enjoy.

[I-am-me]

Chinatown in Busan is becoming russianized. Last time I got a hotel there everything including the tv channels were in Russian. Even two russian ladies in their late 50's tried to give me a 2 for 1 deal. Interesting place it is.

[Xuanzang]

Myeongdong has some Chinese restaurants and mooncake shops near the Chinese embassy.

[bangbayed]

Theres a few Chinese communities in Seoul.
The most well known one amongst Koreans is Yeonhee-dong, just northwest of Yeonsei University. Koreans know it because it apparently has the best Chinese (non-Cantonese) restaurants in Seoul. There is also an established Chinese community there with schools, etc.

The Chinese community near Myeongdong is so small it's barely worth mentioning. The Chinese embassy used to be located there, and you can still see the big-gated walled complex if you walk behind the Main Post office. There's a couple restaurants and shops there now, but not much else.

The main area for newer Chinese immigrants (Korean-Chinese and Chinese alike) is south of the river. There are communities in Bongcheon-dong, Shillim-dong and Garibong-dong in Guro. These areas are poorer, but these immigrants aren't very well off themselves. I went to a market in Garibong-dong and did find the tasty seasoning you can find at the lamb skewer restaurants that are popping up all over Seoul.

New China Town in southern Seoul
http://english.seoul.go.kr/today/news/newsclip/1240160_3675.html