LAKEWOOD, WASHINGTON in the United States is home to an international district filled with Korean-owned businesses. Korean characters, han-gul, are on almost every building within a four-mile strip of road. From han-bok boutiques to niche Korean bedding stores, there are diverse Korean items and services for residents to enjoy. Though this neighborhood might be overlooked for its smaller size, it represents a strong community that has grown over time  

   The Lakewood international district was formed in the early 1970s. Following the Korean War, Korean women who had married American soldiers ended up settling in the Lakewood area with two military bases located close by. What originally began as a group of Korean women meeting to exchange food, conversation, and ideas, eventually became one of the largest non-profit organizations in the state, the Korean Women's Association (KWA). Some of their services included domestic violence counseling, English language instruction, and driving education[1]. Now the KWA primarily provides caregiving, housing, and meals for senior citizens and hosts social services events for the Lakewood community[2]. One of the founding members of the KWA, Ok Sun Wilson stated how the organization is like the growth of a tree, “You have to have a root, to begin with, and the roots have to be strong to make a beautiful tree. That’s what KWA is all about[3].” The KWA provided the necessary “roots” for immigrants in the area to settle down and open Korean businesses in the area, flourishing into a thriving community.

   Around the same time in the early 1970s, the first Korean grocery store was opened in the Lakewood community to serve the growing Korean population. The store was run by Boo Han and his family who had moved to the Lakewood area from Seoul. He first started by selling homemade tofu and rice cakes which eventually became the first Korean grocery store in the area[4]. The number of Korean immigrants in the area grew with support from the KWA and the new accessibility of Korean products and produce from Boo Han Market. As a result, the community became stronger, and more businesses could thrive. Now, there are more Korean stores in the Lakewood area including Pal-do World Market which houses a large grocery store, beauty salon, bakery, dress shop, and food court filled with restaurants. There is also an H Mart, which is a popular Korean-American supermarket chain with 97 locations around the United States[5].

   Following the establishment of markets that sold Korean ingredients, Korean restaurants opened in the area. Today Ho-Soon-Yi serves their signature dish soon-du-bu jji-gae, also known as spicy soft tofu stew. They also serve other popular Korean foods in the United States, such as bi-bim-bap and bul-go-gi. Dook-soon-nae is another popular restaurant choice for Korean food in Lakewood. They promise to “prepare [the] meals with the utmost care, with thoughts of preparing it for [their] own family[6].” Dook-soon-nae serves lesser-known authentic dishes such as ox knee soup, spicy marinated raw crabs, and beef intestines. Along with the restaurants, modern Korean dessert cafes have also made an appearance in Lakewood. T-Town Cafe specializes in bing-soo shaved ice, ho-tteok sugar-filled pancakes, and thick Korean-style honey toast. Upon the opening of T-Town Cafe, one of the owners, Jean Lee, said, “I wanted to spread awareness of Korean culture[7].” T-Town Cafe has provided a meeting spot for different groups of people to share Korean desserts, snacks, and conversations. 

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   Near Seattle and Tacoma, Lakewood would seem like an unlikely place for a large Korean settlement to form. Thanks to the KWA and businesses like Boo Han Market, the community tree was able to grow and branch out, diversifying the culture in Western Washington. What started as a desire for community and family to have a home away from home, has now become a place where people can gather and experience a piece of Korea in the United States.

[1] The Seattle Times

[2] KWA Cares

[3] KWA Cares Facebook

[4] Boo Han Market

[5] H Mart

[6] Dook Soon Nae

[7] South Sound Talk