The Great Houston Kim Count: A Not-So-Scientific Investigation
Ah, Houston. The city of humidity, heart attacks from Whataburger, and...Koreans? But how many Koreans, exactly? That is the question that has plagued philosophers...well, maybe not philosophers, but curious minds like yours and mine.
There are a few theories floating around, some more reliable than others (let's face it, counting barbecue grills on Google Maps isn't exactly the gold standard of demographic research). So, grab your kimchi and settle in as we embark on this hilarious journey to uncover the truth!
The Census Says...
Okay, okay, we gotta start with some semblance of facts, right? The 2010 census, bless its bureaucratic heart, tallied 11,813 ethnic Koreans in Harris County, the heart of Houston. But here's the thing: community leaders reckon that number is way off, like a karaoke singer several octaves too high. They say it's closer to double that!
The Noodle Shop Theory
Now, this is where things get interesting. Let's employ a highly sophisticated (and slightly dangerous) method: noodle shop density. Houston boasts a frankly impressive number of Korean restaurants, particularly concentrated in the Spring Branch and Gessner area. The logic is simple: more noodle shops, more Koreans, right? There's something undeniably scientific about this approach, wouldn't you say?
The K-Pop Whisperer
Moving on to slightly less rigorous methods, we have the K-Pop Whisperer. This mythical figure, rumored to roam the streets with a BTS fanny pack and encyclopedic knowledge of all things Korean, claims there are enough Koreans in Houston to form their own K-Pop dance mob. Now, that's a visual I can get behind!
The Official Verdict (with Air Quotes)
So, after all this research (a.k.a. wild speculation and internet browsing), what's the answer? The truth, my friends, is probably somewhere in between the census and the K-Pop Whisperer's fantasy. A recent survey by Woori Juntos, a Korean-American advocacy group, suggests there are around 14,000 Korean Americans in Houston. There you have it, folks! But hey, this is a dynamic city, so that number could be bubbling away like a pot of kimchi stew, constantly changing.
The Final Word (with a Sprinkle of Sarcasm)
One thing's for sure: Houston is a city that embraces Korean culture, from the delicious food to the vibrant community. So next time you're in Houston, keep your eyes peeled for kimchi stands and K-Pop blasting car stereos. You might just discover a little slice of Seoul in the heart of Texas!
