Korean population and businesses are booming in Suwanee & Duluth (Atlanta: buy, living)

[vince217]

its a big enough population that Korean Air has direct flights from Korea to Atlanta for several years now.

[testa50]

For what it's worth, roughly 1,000 Koreans gained permanent residency status in Atlanta in the last year. This might not sound like a lot, but this doesn't take into account:

- People who already had permanent status and moved here
- People who don't yet have permanent status and moved here
- Children who were born to Korean parents

In other words, 1,000/year is basically the bare minimum growth rate (in reality it's probably several times that amount), so when you have a community of roughly 35,000 growing by a couple thousand per year, you are looking at a 5-6% annual growth rate.

In other words, the estimate of 100,000 is probably high, but the growth rate projection of "30-40% within 15 years time" is probably conservative. We can expect 50% growth by 2020, I would estimate. The impact on the city from a business and cultural standpoint, as well as the visibility of the community, will increase in lockstep--those are the things that actually matter to me.

Of course, when census results come out, we'll know a lot more.

[jazzcat22]

I enjoy all that the Koreans have brought to the area: restaurants, grocery stores (SuperH, Assi, etc. with their great produce prices) and coffee shops.

But it does make for a lonely experience at the gym (Lifetime Fitness across from Discover Mills). In the locker room/sauna/steam room/jacuzzi, I am usually woman not speaking Korean. I always say that I am going to come back as a Korean woman in my next wife because the women definitely seem to not work (much less Korean men there in the daytime).

[jhtrico1850]

Originally Posted by Tangomonster

But it does make for a lonely experience at the gym (Lifetime Fitness across from Discover Mills).

I switch between Lifetime at JC and SL, the Johns Creek one is even more Korean.

[basket]

How great would that be for tourism to the state !!

[mrpanda]

One of the Korean restaurants i was really impressed with is a 24 hour place called Myung Ga Won near Gwinnett Place Mall. Their Sol lung tang (Beef Bone Soup) was awesome! Just $5.99 with so many side dishes. I love it when there is so much competition among Korean restaurants in Atlanta which means lower prices and good quality food. Since I'm Korean, I've got some pretty high standards and I give Myung Ga Won a two thumbs up.

Chicago Korean restaurants seem to charge 15% more and quality is pretty sad compared to Atlanta as the competition is weak here.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/myung-ga-won-duluth

1960 Day Dr
Ste 100
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 622-1300

[mrpanda]

Originally Posted by jhtrico1850

I switch between Lifetime at JC and SL, the Johns Creek one is even more Korean.

I know what you mean. I had a guest pass to Lifetime at JC. I felt like i was in a health club in Seoul. By the way.. that health club is pretty impressive. (upscale and very nice!)

[sjuraud]

Try these two restaurants if your on Buford Hwy near 285. Cho Dong is a tofu (dobu) house just outside the perimeter. Also just inside 285 on Buford Hwy there's a place called Hanil Kwan that's a BBQ that's really good too. It's a little expensive, but worth it.

[mrpanda]

I ordered the hot pot spicy tofu for dinner at Doo Reh Myun Ok in Suwanee and it was really good, again with a lot of fresh side dishes. I think my seafood tofu was like $6.99. The place near my home in Chicago is $9.99 and I don't touch the side dishes as they are old and recycled.

Doo Reh Myun Ok
1291 Old Peachtree Rd NW # 401, Suwanee, GA 30024-2033 (770) 476-0480 ‎

[Esteban5]

I think this is exactly the type of diversity that will set metro ATL apart from competition like Charlotte, Orlando, Birmingham, Dallas, Nashville, etc.

Progress.....I like it!