Foreign cultures you can experience without leaving LA
Salvadorian
The second largest Hispanic group in LA after Mexicans, Salvadorians have made a major mark on the city. You can find great Salvadorian food, music, and art throughout the city, though the Salvadorian population is largely concentrated in the Pico-Union neighborhood with many other Central American communities.
Ethiopian
Drive down Fairfax Ave. and you will come across Little Ethiopia, one of the largest neighborhoods of Ethiopians in the world (outside of Ethiopia, obviously). Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants and clothing are highlights of the neighborhood.
Vietnamese
Okay, it’s not in LA but it’s a hell of a lot closer than Vietnam. Located in Westminster and Garden Grove is the largest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. Every cultural feature you can imagine (and many you have no idea existed) can be found within the region known as Little Saigon.
Filipino
In the Southwest corner of Echo Park is Filipinotown, a large community of Filipinos, of whom make up the largest Asian American population in California. You can find some of the most beautiful churches and murals of LA in the neighborhood.
Persian
Known as Tehrangeles, the Persian community in LA is one of the largest minority groups in the region. Following the 1979 revolution, upwards of 700,000 Iranians moved to Southern California, giving the state the largest Iranian population outside of Iran. You can find amazing Persian food, music, and intellectuals residing in LA, particularly around Westwood.
Korean
Koreatown, located in central LA, is well known in for its huge variety of shops and fantastic food. The neighborhood was decimated by the LA riots but has regained its vibrancy since. Koreans have been a mainstay in LA for over a century, with the Korean population in the city making up about 15 percent of all Koreans living in the U.S.
Armenian
Located in East Hollywood is Little Armenia, though the vast majority of Armenians in the region live in Glendale and Burbank. LA has the largest population of Armenians outside of Armenia and Iran and the group has impacted culture in a variety of ways since initially settling in the 1920s, particularly impacting architecture, which can be seen in churches in the area.
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