4 Little Koreas Of India You Need To Visit

It’s safe to say that in India, the Korean wave—known as hallyu—has transformed into a tsunami of epic proportions over the years. From listening to K-pop on loop to adopting elaborate Korean skincare routines, and yes, paying homage to Korean fashion trends and embracing the cuisine—from gochujang to japchae—we’re doing it all with gusto.

However, unbeknownst to many, India has quietly become home to several “Little Koreas” in recent years. These are small towns and semi-urban pockets where vibrant Korean communities have emerged alongside booming industrial development. These enclaves have taken root around major South Korean corporations like Kia, Hyundai, LG, Lotte, and Sungwoo Hitech, bringing not just business but also a rich culinary and cultural footprint.

These are towns where Korean expats—engineers, managers, factory workers, and their families—are making India their second home. This has led to the rise of authentic Korean restaurants, grocery stores, and community hubs. For food and culture lovers, exploring these places offers a unique journey into a lesser-known Korean presence in India.

Talegaon, Maharashtra: Kimchi in the Western Ghats

Located around 120 km from Mumbai and near Pune, Talegaon is an unassuming industrial hub nestled in the Sahyadri Hills. Hyundai and LG have manufacturing facilities here, bringing with them a steady stream of Korean expats who have formed a close-knit community.

One of the most popular places to experience Korean cuisine in Talegaon is Gung The Palace, an upscale, authentic Korean restaurant tucked away near the MIDC area. Gung serves classics like the marinated beef stir-fry bulgogi, spicy stews known as jjigae, and pajeon—scallion and flour-based savoury pancakes. These are accompanied by a (free!) plethora of side dishes called banchan, including hand-fermented kimchi. Don’t be surprised to find Indian-Korean hybrid dishes too, such as kimchi fried rice with a tandoori twist.

Talegaon also boasts several Korean grocery stores near expat apartment clusters, offering essentials like gochujang (red pepper paste), doenjang (soybean paste), instant noodles, dried seaweed, and Korean-style pickles. These mini-marts often double as community hubs, and some even stock Korean cosmetics and household products.

Rampur, Andhra Pradesh: Spicy Soul Food by the Highway

Near Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district lies the quiet town of Rampur, now buzzing with activity thanks to Kia Motors’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Since 2019, the town has transformed rapidly, with infrastructure developing to cater to the Korean workforce and their families.

Here, Seoul Garden Restaurant has emerged as a local favourite. Run by a Korean couple who relocated to support the expat community, the restaurant offers a limited but consistently excellent menu. Try their samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables and meat), and house-made kimchi, said to rival the versions found on Seoul’s street corners.

Groceries and ingredients are available at several Korean supermarkets near employee residential colonies. Stores like the popular Seoul Store stock not only food items but also Korean rice cookers, fermented soybean kits, and occasionally fresh produce flown in from larger cities. Local Andhra produce—like red chillies—has even found its way into Korean home kitchens as expat cooks adapt recipes to local ingredients.

Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu: Chennai’s Industrial Korean Corridor

Just outside Chennai, Sriperumbudur has long been an industrial nerve centre, especially with companies like Hyundai Motors and Samsung setting up shop. The area is home to thousands of Korean professionals and workers and boasts one of the most diverse Korean culinary scenes in India.

Seoul Restaurant and Arirang House are two popular dining spots, offering an expansive menu that includes Korean BBQ, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), naengmyeon (cold noodles), and soondubu jjigae (a soft tofu stew). Many eateries here are surprisingly upscale, catering to Korean executives and visiting families.

The area also has several Korean bakeries offering patbingsu (shaved ice desserts) and soboro ppang (a sweet, crumbly bread). The grocery scene is equally vibrant, with stores like K Mart and Hansang Mart supplying imported Korean goods alongside local produce tailored to Korean tastes.

Noida–Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh: The NCR’s Korean Cluster

Although more urban, the Noida–Greater Noida corridor deserves mention for its growing Korean population, especially around the LG Electronics and Samsung facilities. Unlike the other small-town “Little Koreas” in this piece, Korean culture here blends seamlessly into the broader cosmopolitan landscape.

Also called Gung The Palace, the Noida Sector 18 branch is one of North India’s finest Korean restaurants, with a focus on traditional royal Korean cuisine. From galbi jjim (braised short ribs) to jeon (Korean-style fritters), Gung offers an extensive menu in a serene, Korean-style setting with floor seating and wooden interiors.

Korean grocery stores and bakeries have popped up around Sectors 41 and 50, and there’s even a Korean Cultural Centre that organises film screenings, language classes, and food workshops, bringing a slice of Seoul to the National Capital Region.