Now Open: Melbourne Finally Has Its Very Own Official Koreatown in the CBD's Healeys Lane
The City of Melbourne has endorsed this opening as part of a project to create more pocket precincts across the city.
Lovers of bibimbap and KBBQ already know that Melbourne's CBD is home to a vibrant hub of Korean restaurants. Now, Koreatown has a permanent spot on the map. As part of the City of Melbourne's latest project to create more pocket precincts across the city, the Healeys Lane site has been adorned with a hand-carved, three-metre-high jangseung to celebrate its opening.
"Officially unveiling the jangseung at Koreatown fills me with so much jabusim — pride," said Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece. "By formalising Koreatown, we aim to attract more visitors and businesses to the area — positioning it alongside Melbourne's legendary streetscapes like Degraves Street, Chinatown and Hardware Lane."
The jangseung, created by Master Jong-yeon Kim, is designed to replicate the totem poles that watch over daily life at the entrances of rural villages in Korea. The four totems honour this national tradition and create a photo opportunity that can be shared worldwide.
Joining Chinatown and the Greek Quarter on the city's multicultural hub roster, Koreatown now houses 25 Korean businesses — from restaurants and karaoke bars to retail stores.
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Over 25,000 Koreans now call Victoria home, making them one of the City of Melbourne's top ten diaspora communities. City Economy and Business Portfolio Head Councillor Kevin Louey explained that the formal opening of Koreatown would "not only support the growth of Korean-owned businesses, but also establish a vibrant destination that celebrates Melbourne's multicultural identity, attracts visitors and drives economic activity in the precinct."
Melbourne joins Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and Sydney in having its own Koreatown. The City of Melbourne's budget for 2025–26 is expected to invest a further $150,000 in pocket precincts across the city, with Little India and a new seafood precinct in Docklands next on the list.
Image: supplied by Woo399
Koreatown is located in the Melbourne CBD's Healeys Lane, at the west end of Little Lonsdale Street and part of Spencer Street. For more information, head to the City of Melbourne website.
Images: City of Melbourne.
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