Your guide to Melbourne's unofficial Koreatown

It may not be as established as Chinatown, but this little pocket of the city is fast making a name for itself. Find your own slice of South Korea along Healeys Lane, the west end of Little Lonsdale Street and part of Spencer Street.

The best of Healeys Lane

Sukbong: cult-status street toast

Bong Seoul Toast (or Sukbong) is a famous chain with more than 200 stores in Korea. Its one and only Australian store can be found in Healeys Lane. Start simple with egg and cheese, or go OTT with added hash browns and beef bulgogi. Everything on the menu is under $14, and the signature bulgogi toastie will only set you back $8.50.

Life4Cut: Korea's number one photobooth brand hits Australia

Visit this popular Korean self-photo booth studio chain in Healeys Lane. Offering multiple rooms, it has specialised machines for an interactive and creative photo experience. Choose from a range of props and backgrounds then shoot. All photos are accessible by handy QR codes.

Sevenstar Pocha: Korean army stew

Ramyun noodles, spicy broth, spam, beans, veggies and more. Don't knock this iconic comfort food until you've tried it. If you're not keen on cheese and luncheon meat, try the pork rib or bulgogi stew. These bubbling hot-pot dishes feature potato noodles, ripened kimchi and juicy grilled meat. Sevenstar is open late Tuesday to Sunday.

The best of Little Lonsdale Street

Kono: hidden coin booth karaoke

Private karaoke rooms and the odd open mic night are pretty well-known in Melbourne. Mini coin-operated singing booths? Not so common. Enter Kono, a hidden gem lined with disco-lit nooks perfect for solo or small group singing. Regulars can be heard singing along to BUZZ ballads in perfect Korean, but there’s a bumper book of English tunes to pick from, too.

Paik's Noodle: jjamppong and jajangmyeon

Prolific South Korean chef Jong-won Paik has opened his first Australian outpost of the hugely popular Paik's Noodle franchise. Try super spicy 'gochu jajang', a chilli-spiked black bean broth rich with umami flavour. Or slurp up bowls of jjamppong, the iconic seafood noodle bowl you would have seen on countless K-dramas. Bowls start at $13.50, and Paik's stays open until late.

Paik's BBQ: world-famous Korean BBQ

Sure you can order menu staples like kimchi stew at Paik’s, but then you’d miss out on the star of the show. Superior Korean pork, barbecued over charcoal at the table and served with too many condiments and side dishes to count. This much-celebrated meat-loaded spot is also owned by Seoul’s Jong-won.

The best of King Street and Spencer Street

Koconut: Korean skincare

Part of the new West Side Place precinct, Koconut is a hidden gem location selling cult-status beauty brands. Think Banila Co., Innisfree, Laneige and Sulwhasoo. Shop for everything from low-cost sheet masks to super splurgey ginseng packs. The team also stocks cute LINE friends collabs, Nexcare pimple patches and the odd piece of BTS merch.

BBQ King: the best Korean all-you-can-eat

This fresh new all-you-can-eat spot has all the Korean food staples covered. Enjoy unlimited premium meat, hot molten corn cheese, cult-status bo ssam (juicy pork in refreshing lettuce cups) and more. Which includes slightly sweet, perfectly crunchy, mozzarella loaded Korean-style corn dogs. Find BBQ King at 280 King Street, walk-ins only!

Eggholic: gilgeori and smashed avo egg sandwiches

At long last, one of the OG spots for street toast has made its way to the CBD. This little hole-in-the-wall is serving up super stacked, buttery brioche filled with fluffy, cheesy egg. Take it classic with bacon, spicy with kimchi, loaded with crab or filled with fried spam. Bursting with fillings and well-priced, these golden Korean egg sandwiches pack a punch.