Buena Park declared its Koreatown in 2023. Now it is freeway sign official.
There has been a cluster of Korean businesses in the north Orange County city for years, and more recently, the Source OC has found its footing as a restaurant and entertainment destination known for hosting Korean cultural events and performers. Its movie theater regularly screens Korean releases and offers Hollywood blockbusters with Korean subtitles.
The City Council leaned in and designated the stretch of Beach Boulevard between Orangethorpe Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue as Koreatown two years ago, and on Tuesday, Aug. 26, unveiled freeway signs that will flag down travelers on the nearby 5 Freeway.
“Buena Park’s Koreatown has become a cornerstone of Korean culture, not only in Orange County but throughout the region, attracting visitors from throughout the state and beyond,” Mayor Joyce Ahn said as a brown freeway sign declaring “Koreatown, Next Exit” was showcased.
Visit Buena Park dedicates a page to Koreatown and all it offers. “The vibrant neighborhood is a foodie lover’s paradise spanning over 2.5 miles,” it says.
The visitor bureau counts more than a dozen Korean restaurants in shopping centers at Beach and La Mirada boulevards and maps more shops and eateries within the business district north of the 5 Freeway.
“With more and more visitors exploring our Koreatown restaurants and shops, we can see the community’s spirit shine bright,” Ahn said. “With so much investment pouring into this area, it is important we recognize the vital role Koreatown plays in Buena Park’s economic success.”