Your TL;DR Guide to this Koreatown Orange County gem
TL;DR: If you’re looking for something fun to do in (one of) Orange County’s Koreatown(s), the Source OC is a must-visit. Full of food, shopping, and more, this Korean-style plaza is ideal for quick trips, dining, shopping, and spending time with friends. Recently, it has begun expanding and opening up new businesses, offering visitors a wider selection of things to choose from – including tanghulu, Life4Cuts, and great Korean food. For me, the shining stars of this plaza are the food, events, and Korean goods stores. If you’re looking for K-Pop events, this is also a must-visit stop.
A few minutes away from Medieval Times, Portos, and Knotts Berry Farm is The Source OC. A Korean-style shopping mall and entertainment center, The Source is full of amazing finds. After opening in 2016, the mall briefly struggled to garner large crowds. However, thankfully the businesses persisted and The Source is now a bustling center, bringing in people from all-over (including the occasional K-pop group or idol). If you love k-pop or k-beauty, want some great food, or love visiting local hot spots, then you must stop by The Source.
Orange County & Its Two Koreatowns
You may have heard of L.A.’s Koreatown – it’s internationally known and locally beloved. However, less well-known and a few miles to the south is Orange County, a neighboring SoCal County, with two other official K-towns. In fact, Orange County is home to the second largest Korean-American population in the United States (the first being Los Angeles). So how did this county end up with two Koreatowns?
In 2019, the OC city of Garden Grove officially designated its Koreatown neighborhood. Several years later, in September of 2023, Buena Park followed-suit and decided to also vote in favor of officially naming and recognizing its own neighborhood.
For many in the community, official designation solidifies recognition and offers a sense of affirmation of community, identity, and culture. However, many of the businesses and the community existed (and thrived) long before official placards were placed in the neighborhood. The next time you are in the area, I would strongly encourage you to check out the local businesses (there are so many to love). Today however, we’ll focus on one of my favorites – The Source.
Related: Exploring the Charms of Orange County’s First Koreatown
Parking & How to Get There
Address: 6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621
Located just off the freeway and near the Orangethorpe x Beach bus stop, the Source is easy to find. If traveling by car, the Source is closest to the 91-Freeway, but is also near the 5 and 22.
A Few Notes About Bus Travel
If you are traveling by bus, you’ll want to make your way to either the Orangethorpe-Beach or Beach-Orangethorpe bus stops. When planning your route with OCTA, consider looking into buses 29, 529, METRO 460, and Route 30.
Confused? I’ll briefly describe the 4 options next to help guide you in your planning. However, I would strongly recommend taking a look at OCTA’s trip planner before you head out.
- Bus 29: Bus 29 travels a small local route throughout Huntington Beach and La Habra (with a stop at Knott’s Berry Farm)
- Bravo! 529: A fairly new, blue-colored bus, Bravo! 529 travels down Beach BLVD from Bella Terra (A Huntington Beach mall) to The Source OC).
- Metro 460: An LA bus, this option stops by a few more major tourist destinations. However, you will need to transfer or walk to get closer to the Source.
- Bus Route 30: Takes you from Cerritos to Anaheim
Parking
There is a large (free) parking structure connected directly to the shopping plaza that offers plenty of parking. However, be warned that the main entrance is a steep incline that may make those of you who drive larger cars a bit cautious. (Psst – my secret tip: I personally like to enter the parking structure through the back entrance off of Brenner Ave and Orangethorpe – it’s less crowded and the incline isn’t as sharp).
What to Do
Buckle up because there is a LOT to do at the Source. I’m including a few options from my list of favorites as well as a few that are well-loved by visitors. There are a lot of things to see, so be sure to do your own exploring and let me know what you ended up checking out!
Grab a Bite
Honestly, I love eating here – there are a PLETHORA of options. Little tip to help you navigate around – more expensive restaurants tend to be at the top level while some cheaper food options can be found at the first level or in the food courts. There are exceptions to this rule, but it generally holds true.
- Gangnam House – The perfect place for some Korean BBQ. They boasts a great selection of meat, stews, and sides. It isn’t all-you-can-eat and can be on the pricier end, but I love it here.
- Hangsang – Although Hangsang only has three stars on Yelp, I always enjoy my meal here. The sides are delicious and I always am hungry for their stews or bibimbap. With a homey-feel, Hangsang is one of my favorites here.
- Misoolkwan – A Korean pub known for its great atmosphere, Misoolkwan is one of the most eye-catching buildings in The Source. Most visitors suggest going here with a group of friends.
- Olympic Golf Zone – A sports bar with lots of tvs and activities, Olympic Golf Zone is another great place to visit with friends.
- Izakaya Ichie – If you’re looking for a fun sushi bar, Izakaya Ichie is your place!
- Yoshiharu Ramen – Last on the list is Yoshiharu Ramen, the perfect spot to satisfy your ramen cravings!
Get Some Desert and Drinks
- Sweet Box – Have you heard about Tanghulu? It’s a Chinese candied fruit street-desert that was trending in Korea recently. Although this desert has been around for a bit, it recently made its way to The Source. The strawberry is my favorite.
- Old Ferry Donut – A Korean-based business, Old Ferry Donut opened up its first USA location here in Buena Park. And they live up to the hype!
- Monday to Sunday – Previously known as Mealtop, this cafe has delicious bingsu (shaved ice desert) and drinks. With a beautiful interior, it’s the brunch-spot cafe of your dreams. Try out a chestnut or injeolmi latte on your next stop.
- Insit – Another great cafe to visit. This spot gets a little crowded, so I take my drink to go. I recommend the maple chai or banana latte.
Check Out the Local Businesses
- Princeton – Located next the bakery, Princeton has some truly great fashion finds – including modernized hanbok. While this shop is on the pricier end, I love seeing what new additions they have in stock.
- K Place – A cute stationary-esque shop, find your favorite pen, accessories, and an album or two!
- K-Pop Music Town – The best place to search for your favorite album.
- N.Cat – As the newest shop, this popular Korean accessories brand has launched its USA location! And the hair clips are adorable!
- Tomnada – With an eclectic offering of items, Tomnada is a true gem! If you are looking for Korean-English dually-translated books, then stop by here. I have a couple of poetry books in my personal collection from this shop that I love. You can also find small home goods, spices, and more.
- Illo – A modern home goods store, Illo is a charming shop to stroll around.
- Cosmetic World – For all your K-beauty needs. A few weeks ago, I mentioned L.A.’s K-town shopping gems, which included a few skincare spots. I find the prices are slightly cheaper in L.A. for some things, but it isn’t so different that I mind it too much.
- VR Universe – For VR enthusiasts of all ages, VR Universe has been a steady business at The Source, and it’s not hard to see why! With no 1 or 2 star ratings, this location has a 4.9 rating on yelp.
- Life4Cuts – Life4Cuts is a Korean business that lets you take memorable photo-booth snapshots to commemorate your outing. With fun accessories and props, this is the perfect way to top off you day out.
- CGV Cinemas – Lastly, CGV is a Korean movie theater showing both Korean and major Hollywood films. With lush interior and great popcorn, CGV Cinemas is a must-visit for film-lovers.
One final word before I stop (I know I shared a LOT of information). If you’re wondering how to find local k-pop events, cupsleeve promotionals, small concerts, or more – The Source could be the place for you. (BLACKSWAN recently had an event onsite). Check-out their event calendar here for a listing on what’s happening in the area. However, I noticed the website doesn’t list ALL events that happen here, so be sure to check out their social media to stay up-to-date on what’s coming next!
The Source OC is a great place, whether you love shopping, want good food, or are a K-pop or K-beauty fan. Be sure to let me know how your trip to this OC Koreatown Mall went!
TL;DR Travels 
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