The Plaza Market (CLOSED)

A compact market on the bottom-most level of Koreatown Plaza, this shop was one of the first markets to crop up in the area in the ‘80s. You’ll find typical fare here, but beeline for the popular liquor aisle where you can get your fill of crisp Korean beers like Hite and Cass, potent green glass bottles of soju, and an unfiltered, milk-colored rice wine called makkoli. Though Koreatown Plaza may seem outdated (it got its last update nearly three decades ago), the stores in this mall are still where savvy young Korean Americans come to get their fill of designer goods like Celine bags and Chanel accessories. Bonus: They have one of the most authentic “street food” food courts around, where you can post up under harsh fluorescent lights and buy a pork cutlet bigger than the size of your head for under $10. Parking is validated, but don’t forget—they won’t let you out without it.