Abstract

There are so many people in koreatown, this includes tourists, people who are going back and forth, the sight is very unique which is also catches the eyes of tourists. Koreatown is a very busy neighborhood, everybody seems quiet, friendly, and the interaction between elders and young people is very unique. For the description of koreatown is known for its food, beauty products and culture. There are book store and every story or everything is written in Koreana. This is a great place for other non-Korean people to learn and understand about the Korean culture. The cafes, restaurants, and other fun areas are divided in each building. There are so many businesses going on this area include; cafes, restaurants, karaoke. Furthermore, Kunjip is the Korean restaurant that offers so many delicious foods, their services are very outstanding, and friendly to their customers. 

Key Words: Immigrations, Korean American, Culture, Tradition, Businesses, Diverse, Society Interactions, Foods, Korean Restaurant Wave, and Tourism 

 

INTRODUCTION AND REMARKS

The History of Korea

The name “Korea” comes from the Koryo dynasty, which lasted from 918 A.D – 1392 A.D. Korea has also been referred to as Choson, which means “the Land of the Morning Calm”. It was called Joeson during the earliest of its ancient kingdoms (around 400 B.C) and during its final Kingdom (1392-1910). Furthermore, during A.D 668 competing Kingdoms were unified into a single dominion on the Korean Peninsula. Monarchies maintained Korean political and cultural. The last Kingdom to rule in 1392 to 1910 was Josoeon Dynasty. At the same time, Korean survived the invasion of Japan in the 16th century and Monarchies of  East Asia in the early of 27th century as the results the Korea chose to limit its visibility to the outside world and later peace followed during 250 years. Unfortunately, in the 19th century France, Britain, and the United States began to make an effort to make trade and diplomatic relations with Korea. After many years of Korea’s kingdom passed, the colocalization began to take place in the 20th century where China, Japan, and Russia took control over the Korea Peninsula. However, in the 1905 century Japanese invaded the Korea Peninsula’s land for years later after the war. After 35 years of colonization, korean people suffered numerous, they suffered through economically, health, poor access to education and many things that would help them with their lives and to improve their quality of life. They depended on Industrialization and they were exposed through Japanese’s cultural after the colonization. Unfortunately, in 1945 the Japanese were defeated and the United States and the Soiviet Union invaded Korea Peninsula and divided into North and South which today is known as North Korea and South Korea. Today South Korea’s capital is Seoul and North Korea capital is Pyongyang. 

THE INSIGHT OF KOREAN IN AMERICA

Koreatown in New York (Manhattan) Then and Now

After so many years passed, Korea immigrants came to the United State in the early 1950s where they began to come to pursue their life, education, and other personal issues for a better future. Furthermore, there were so many problems that occurred during their time in the United States, most of the Korean Immigrants lived in Los Angeles, Carlifornia. There are so many things that had happened before the Korean people moved to New York City. The majority of the Korean lived in other major states and cities across the United State of America. 

The mention of “Koreatown” historically, has been evolved for so many years. However, the historical background about Korea in the United State in Manhattan New York City has been known for its food, culture, and business that was formed in the early 1980 in Manhattan. There are so many things happening at the Koreatown. Furthermore, in the 1980s, the majority of Korean moved to New York in Midtown, it was a great place for those who are searching for a place where the will call it home. However, there are multiple things that may become concerned on how the system is working despised of how people view the services that are being provided by the owners and workers, this hasn’t shown any kind of the signs to the other parties to distinguish the difference of how the work is being done and the services are being provided for all.

KUNJIP KOREAN RESTAURANT

About Kunjip Restaurant

Kinjip is the korean restaurant which is located 32 West 32nd Street at Koreatown and the oldest restaurant which was founded 2014 and is one of the during the first wave of korean restaurant that came to the United States. Furthermore, the success of Kinjip, known for its japchae which is the combinations of stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables and seafood pancakes, also with their specializes in bbq foods, and the Korean restaurants increased rapidly on 32nd Street. In 1993, an even number of New Yorkers were introduced to Korean food when Ruth Reichl, who is an American food writer, chef, and Culinary editor for the Modern Library from the review of  “A Companion to Korean American Studies” which talks about Korean staple Kang Suh that served everything from Korean barbecue tofu soup. 

Back then restaurants were open 24/7 to accommodate many diners and rising rents. Unfortunately, in 2017 Kang Suh was closed out of fear after it was swallowed by other business chains. Kunjip has a varitate delicious foods and Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Koreatown. The restaurant offers authentic Korean cuisine in a truly unique setting that dates back to medieval Korean times. The restaurant owned by family members, they offer a diverse mix of flavors with various homemade delicacies such as Korean style kimchi, dumplings, sausages, and a wide variety of soups. Their fresh ingredients grown on their own family farm, which are used to prepare special seasonal dishes including their lettuce wraps and sausage soup specials. Kunjip offers variety of seasoning and everything they provide is fresh, they wanted to make sure that the food they serve to the customers to make them feel good and happy. Something that is very surprising is that, the restaurant has a great interaction with customers and the culture is very strong you may feel like you’re in Korea.

SAMWON GARDEN BBQ 

About Samwon Garden BBQ Restaurant

In contrast, Samwon Garden BBQ is also one of the oldest korean restaurant which is located 32 West 32nd Street at Koreatown and the oldest restaurant which was founded in Seoul, South Korea since 1976 by Simon Lee and is one of the during the first wave of korean restaurant that came to the United States. Furthermore, the success restaurant  Samwon Garden BBQ was also one of the few in the first wave of Korean restaurants that remain open on 32nd street. However, Samwon Garden BBQ had many locations in recent years and Kunjip location in for 15 since it was closed and opened due to business franchaise. For example, Gammeeok was closed to a similar situation of Kunjip restaurant before it opened again and moved to a second-floor space to save money on rent, at $20,000 a month on a 10-year lease said Richard K the owner of the restaurant which was a result of growing fast. Although 32nd Street is still a center for Korean restaurants with all its signs, restaurants, and bars, the street has changed significantly since the ’90s. 

Many businesses have closed, replaced by restaurants backed or run by chaebol, which is known as conglomerates from Korea that are essentially corporations run by family members. There are some independent restaurants that are run by single operators and are increasingly rare, even people who aren’t part of a corporation or a franchise combined their businesses, they often run multiple spots on 32nd Street. 

CLOSING REMARKS

Koreatown

Koreatown may have similar version of Times Square, this place or neighborhood is very packed with chains and franchises, a consequence of higher rents, government policies, and the nature of business in Korea itself. Creative restaurateurs are expanding outward. Modern Korean small-plates restaurant Oiji is in the East Village, as is newer Korean-French fine dining spot Soogil. Korean fried-chicken gastropubs Barn Joo and Turntable both have locations next to 32nd Street, but they’ve since been able to expand downtown and in Union Square as well. 

Koreatown may not be the same test like other local  Korean flavor that it used to be, but the growing number of Korean restaurants across the city signal that 32nd Street is no longer the only place to get a taste of Korean culture. All kinds of New Yorkers, no matter where they’re from, they will be willing to eat and everywhere and all the way from the Financial District to Harlem.

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