Home to more than 25 Korean restaurants, Healeys Lane in Melbourne’s CBD has affectionately been referred to by locals as ‘Kimchi Lane’ for years. A nod, of course, to the traditional Korean side dish served at restaurants across the world.

Now, it’s been given official status as Koreatown. Yep, just like, Toronto, LA, New York and Sydney, Melbourne now has its own K-town.

The City of Melbourne Council passed a vote to ratify the precinct at a Future Melbourne Committee meeting on September 3, as well as approving the installation of four three-metre-tall jang-seung, Korean totem poles, to mark its entrance – and new official status.

Melbourne is home to more than 2,500 Koreans, making it one of the city’s top 10 diaspora. The love is returned, too, with a record 90,000 Aussies visiting South Korea between 2022 and 2023.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the Council had “put a ring on it” and that the new official Koreatown “has become a mecca for Korean food and culture… including some of the most exciting and popular restaurants in town”.

You can visit Healeys Lane (and surrounding area) to eat cult Korean street food at Seoul Toast, army stew at Seven Star Pocha, fried chicken at Gami – the essential eating list goes on (and on).

Related article: Seoul food: Korean recipes the whole family will love.