12.30pm | A Korean lunch in Flores

In “Bajo Flores”, the southern part of the Flores neighbourhood, there's a high density of immigration from South Korea, with most families in their second generation. The focal point of the community lies between Av. Eva Perón and Castañares, and is particularly concentrated around Av. Carabobo.
The first Koreans began arriving in Buenos Aires in 1965 after their country was divided by the Korean War, and the majority settled in this area, known known as Baek-ku, or Coreatown.

A neighbourhood for Koreans

Many Koreans work in the textile industry, but many also run businesses catering to their own community, from restaurants, karaokes bars and bakeries to beauty salons, garages, estate agents and more, covering all the needs of this large community. Many businesses are dedicated entirely to customers from the Korean community, with signs, menus and labels in Korean, and many products that may be unrecognisable to most Argentines. There are also buddhist temples and evangelical churches whose congregations are almost exclusively Korean.

As for food, there are plenty of opportunities here to sample traditional Korean food, which is difficult to find elsewhere in the city.

Restaurante Una Canción Coreana

This restaurant, named "A Korean Song" in Spanish, is located at Av. Carabobo 1549. An-Ra and her husband serve small dishes, always accompanied by kimchi, a traditional fermented vegetable side dish, and rice. There's even a film about this restaurant, directed by Gustavo Tarrío y Yael Tujsnaider.

Restaurante Dae Won Jung

For more than ten years, this restaurant at Balbastro 2055 has been run by a Korean couple who ran a place with same name back in their native country. Dishes are small and varied, served together, and meat is cooked at the table. Popular dishes include “japche”,  “bulgogui”, and “mandu” (dumplings filled with pork).

Restaurante El Rey

An alternative option for lunch is to go for Peruvian food in the area around the Abasto or in the Once neighbourhood. El Rey, at Agüero 457, is a good option, as our the places listed below. All offer generous servings of traditional Peruvian food, usually offering a daily set menu with economic prices.

Carlitos Pollería

Av. Corrientes 3070

La Conga

La Rioja 39

Sabor Norteño

La Rioja 186

Advice:

For safety reasons, it is not recommendable to cross Av. Castañares.

 

Moving on: