Spring Branch, The Heart of Houston(c), includes the heart of Korean-American commerce, culture and community for the entire metropolitan region. This makes the Spring Branch Management District the latest great place to experience all the benefits that flow from the city’s stunning population diversity.

More than 20 Korean restaurants do business in Spring Branch, ranging from the city's most elegant one, Bori (with its art gallery next door and peace garden), to modest eateries specializing in authentic noodle dishes or spicy fried chicken. As Korean culture booms in the U.S. through pop music, films and TV shows, more Houstonians are flocking to the neighborhood’s legacy Seoul Garden and Korean Garden restaurants, which have been pampering diners on Long Point Road for about 40 years.

Spring Branch is where Korean-American churches, businesses, news media outlets and non-profit organizations cluster, too.

Now that Houston's newest global Sister City is Ulsan, where South Korea's largest oil refinery and shipyards are found, growth in commerce and culture are sure to follow in Spring Branch as representatives of the two cities visit each other. South Korea is Houston’s fourth largest international trading partner.

“We pinpoint which cities have the most synergies,” Jessica Ngo, chief protocol officer for the City of Houston, explained about how Houston has picked its 19 international sister cities. “We look at trade, medical, education — different fields. Ulsan is doing so much with innovation, importing and exporting and education as well. They are working with Korean-Americans and Korean descendants. That’s what makes a city a great candidate.” 

High-profile Korean corporations with a business presence in Houston include Samsung, LG and SK Group.

Spring Branch-based real estate agent Casey Kang moved from Seoul, South Korea, to Texas in 1986 and settled in Houston in 2018. As the new president of the local Korean American Chamber of Commerce, he is reviving the organization from a period of dormancy. In a sign that civic leaders recognize the importance of the Korean-American community here, the 300 guests at Kang’s installation gala included a congressman, a state senator, a City Council member and many other dignitaries.

In much less formal surroundings, a grassroots organization based at the Korean-American Association and Community Center promotes social, economic and racial justice for Asian-Americans and other immigrant communities. But in true Spring Branch style, the group’s name is a combination of Korean and Spanish words, in recognition of the area’s significant Hispanic population: Woori Juntos. It means “rising together.”

“A lot of times, Korean business owners employ Latino community members,” said Hyunja Norman, executive director of Woori Juntos and founder of the local Korean American Voters League.

Down the street from the community center is the Korean Culture Learning Center, which works to preserve cultural traditions and lists classes in wearing ceremonial clothing, Korean etiquette, tea ceremonies and the playing of drums and zithers.

Along with bubbly soups, rice, stews and grilled meats, many Spring Branch Korean restaurants honor tradition by serving bonchon, a traditional set of side dishes, with every meal. You will never leave hungry after the experience.

Likewise, Spring Branch is ready to satisfy every visitor’s appetite for experiencing culture and business opportunities in a splendid variety of forms.