Exploring Koreatown in Atlanta, Georgia: A Local Guide to Buford Highway & Beyond

Atlanta doesn’t have a single, officially named “Koreatown” like some other major cities, but it absolutely has a vibrant Korean district—centered mainly along Buford Highway and extending into nearby suburbs such as Doraville, Chamblee, and Duluth.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are researching the city’s cultural pockets, this guide walks you through what people usually mean when they say “Koreatown Atlanta” and how to experience it for food, groceries, culture, and community.

Where Is “Koreatown” in Atlanta?

When locals talk about Koreatown in Atlanta, Georgia, they’re usually referring to:

• Buford Highway corridor (Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville)
• Plazas and shopping centers with strong Korean presence in Doraville
• Nearby Gwinnett County hubs, especially Duluth and Suwanee, which have large Korean communities and businesses

There’s no single official boundary, but there are clear hot spots of Korean culture.

Key Koreatown-Area Zones to Know

1. Buford Highway (Atlanta → Doraville)

• A long multicultural strip known for international dining
• Home to Korean restaurants, bakeries, karaoke bars, and shops
• Easily reachable from central Atlanta by car via I-85 or by MARTA to Chamblee or Doraville stations

2. Doraville “Koreatown” Cluster
Doraville, just northeast of Atlanta, has one of the densest concentrations of Korean businesses in the metro area. This is often what people picture as Atlanta’s Koreatown. It sits mainly along:

• Buford Highway NE
• Peachtree Industrial Blvd
• Surrounding side streets and shopping centers

3. Duluth & Gwinnett County
Further northeast, Duluth has a large Korean population and many Korean plazas. It’s not in the City of Atlanta, but for anyone in metro Atlanta, Duluth is part of the broader Korean cultural landscape you’ll hear described as “Koreatown-type areas.”

What You’ll Find in Koreatown Atlanta

Korean Food: BBQ, Stews, Street Snacks & More

Atlanta’s Koreatown-style areas are especially known for food. You’ll see:

• Korean BBQ (gogi gui) – grill-at-your-table spots offering beef, pork belly, marinated short ribs, and banchan (side dishes)
• Traditional restaurants – serving kimchi jjigae, soondubu, bibimbap, cold noodles, and more
• Korean fried chicken – often double-fried and served with beer (known as “chimaek”)
• Korean street-style snacks – tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), kimbap, fish cakes
• Modern Korean cafés – with pastries, bingsoo (shaved ice), and specialty drinks

If you’re planning a visit from Atlanta’s core neighborhoods (Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, etc.), Buford Highway and Doraville are typically the most convenient places to start.

Korean Grocery Stores & Markets

If you live in Atlanta and want to cook Korean food at home, the Koreatown corridor offers multiple large markets. While individual store lineups may change, people typically look for:

• Full-scale Korean supermarkets – offering fresh produce, kimchi, marinated meats, rice, noodles, snacks, and prepared foods
• In-store food courts – casual Korean meals, stews, and snack bars
• Specialty aisles – sauces, seaweed, rice cakes, frozen dumplings, and more

These major Korean markets tend to be in:

• Doraville / Chamblee area along Buford Highway
• Duluth in Gwinnett County

If you’re in the City of Atlanta, it’s easiest to drive or rideshare to these markets; public transit can get you part of the way (via MARTA) but usually still requires a short rideshare or walk.

Korean Bakeries & Dessert Cafés

A big draw of Koreatown areas in Atlanta is the Korean dessert and café culture. Common finds include:

• Asian-style bakeries – soft breads, cream buns, red bean pastries, cakes
• Bingsu cafés – shaved ice with fruit, condensed milk, or matcha toppings
• Coffee & tea houses – modern spaces, often popular with students and young professionals

These spots are clustered in shopping centers along Buford Highway and in Duluth, often open late and welcoming for small groups or solo visitors.

Nightlife: Karaoke, Bars, and Late-Night Eats

If you’re exploring Koreatown Atlanta in the evening, you’ll find:

• Noraebang (karaoke) – private karaoke rooms for groups
• Korean pubs & lounges – soju, beer, anju (bar snacks), late-night food
• 24-hour or late-night restaurants – places serving hot soups, BBQ, and rice dishes well past standard dinner hours

For residents in Midtown or Buckhead looking for a night out, heading up I-85 to Chamblee or Doraville is a common move.

Cultural & Community Life in Koreatown Atlanta

Korean Churches, Schools, and Community Organizations

Atlanta’s Korean community is supported by a number of:

• Korean churches and religious centers – many in Doraville, Norcross, Duluth, and surrounding suburbs
• Korean language schools – often operating on weekends at churches or community centers
• Cultural groups and nonprofits – which may organize events, cultural performances, or support services

If you’re Korean, Korean American, or simply interested in language and culture, you can often:

• Find Korean language classes through churches or cultural centers
• Join community events announced locally or via Korean-language bulletin boards and social spaces

Because these organizations change and grow, it’s best to search locally or call ahead for current schedules and offerings.

Festivals and Events

Korean cultural events in the Atlanta area may include:

• Cultural festivals with music, dance, food stalls, and traditional performances
• K-pop dance competitions or fan gatherings
• Film showings, art exhibitions, or lectures featuring Korean and Korean American perspectives

Many such events take place in Gwinnett County venues, college campuses, or community centers around metro Atlanta. If you’re visiting from out of town, check event listings for seasonal Korean or pan-Asian festivals, especially in the spring and fall.

Getting Around Koreatown Atlanta

Driving from Central Atlanta

From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, the main routes to “Koreatown” areas are:

• I-85 North → Exit toward Chamblee–Tucker Rd / Buford Highway for Doraville/Chamblee
• Continue along Buford Highway NE to access plazas, restaurants, and markets

Traffic on I-85 can be heavy during rush hours, so planning around peak commuter times can make your trip smoother.

Using MARTA

If you don’t drive or prefer not to, MARTA can get you close:

• MARTA Gold Line northbound
  • Chamblee Station (5200 New Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341)
  • Doraville Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340)

From these stations, you can:

• Walk to some nearby plazas (distances vary), or
• Take a short rideshare along Buford Highway to reach specific Korean restaurants, grocery stores, or karaoke spots

For farther destinations (like Duluth), MARTA will not reach directly; you’ll need a car or rideshare.

Practical Tips for Visiting Koreatown Atlanta

When to Go

• Weeknights: Good for easier parking and shorter waits at restaurants
• Weekends: Livelier atmosphere, but expect more crowds
• Late night: Many Korean restaurants and cafés stay open later than typical American restaurants, especially on weekends

If you plan a Korean BBQ or group karaoke outing, calling ahead to confirm hours or making a reservation (when available) can be helpful, especially for larger groups.

What to Try If It’s Your First Time

If you’re new to Korean food or culture, some starter ideas:

• 🍖 Korean BBQ combo – shareable, interactive, and a good variety of meats
• 🍲 Kimchi jjigae or soondubu jjigae – hearty stews, especially on cooler days
• 🍗 Korean fried chicken – try both spicy and soy-garlic sauces
• 🍡 Tteokbokki – chewy rice cakes in a spicy-sweet sauce
• 🍰 Korean bakery snacks – custard buns, red bean bread, or cream cakes
• 🧊 Bingsu – shaved ice dessert, great in Atlanta’s hot summers

Basic Etiquette & Helpful Phrases

You don’t need to speak Korean to enjoy Koreatown Atlanta, but a few basics can make the experience more fun:

• “Annyeonghaseyo” (안녕하세요) – Hello
• “Gamsahamnida” (감사합니다) – Thank you
• “Ma-shi-sseo-yo” (맛있어요) – It’s delicious

In Korean restaurants, it’s common to:

• Share dishes family-style
• Receive banchan (small side dishes) automatically; these can usually be refilled
• Cook meats at the table on a built-in grill at BBQ spots (staff can help if you’re unsure)

Living Near Koreatown Atlanta

If you’re considering moving to Atlanta and want to be near Korean businesses and community life, many people look at:

• Doraville – Dense cluster of Korean shops, restaurants, and markets; close to I-285 and I-85
• Chamblee – Mix of older and newer developments, with easy access to Buford Highway
• Brookhaven (Buford Highway stretch) – More urban feel, closer to central Atlanta
• Duluth / Suwanee (Gwinnett County) – Larger Korean residential presence with many plazas and churches

These areas make it easier to:

• Access Korean groceries regularly
• Attend language schools, churches, or cultural events
• Quickly reach late-night food and cafés loved by the Korean community

Quick Reference: Koreatown Atlanta at a Glance

If you’re in or near Atlanta and interested in Korean culture, food, or community, Buford Highway and its surrounding hubs are your go-to “Koreatown” experience. Plan a meal, explore a grocery store, wander through a bakery or café, and give yourself time—there’s a lot packed into this stretch of metro Atlanta.