Koreatown - New York, NY Area Guide

As a neighborhood, Koreatown formed spontaneously due to its proximity to popular landmarks such as the Empire State Building. After the establishment of a Korean book store and various eateries in the 1980s, additional immigrants began to open up shop. Korea Way, the primary street, quickly became lined with shops and businesses, stacked on top of one another in multi-story buildings. Visitors from Korea relate that the area looks startlingly similar to Seoul in the 1980s. Because of its small size, the area lacks museums or an arts scene of its own, but several museums can be found nearby, such as the Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street. Locals look forward to the annual Korean Parade and K-Town Festival, which features live music, street vendors and a parade in celebration of all things Korean, new and old.

Koreatown, or K Town for short, features numerous eateries that serve Korean cuisine, or variations thereof, with most of them sitting along Korea Way. Don's Bogam, a Korean barbecue restaurant featuring tableside grilling and a wine & sake bar, caters mostly to American customers. Chic and modern, this restaurant serves generous portions. Follow a tender yook hwa, or steak tartar, with naeng myun, also known as cold noodle soup.

To satisfy cravings for more traditional Korean barbecue fare, head to the New Wonjo restaurant on West 32nd Street. Order the galbi, a sweet marinated short rib served with lettuce, rice wraps and a choice of side dishes.

Gaonnuri fits the bill if you want upscale Korean barbecue. This rooftop eatery at 1250 Broadway contains panoramic views of the Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan. Japchae arrives at your table filled with stir-fried glass noodles and your choice of beef, mushrooms or seafood. Order bossum for dinner to get a taste of braised pork belly served alongside kimchi made with octopus, radishes and sesame leaves. Barbecue choices include duck breast, pork belly, and beef bulgogi.

Due to its small size, Koreatown lacks the nightlife scene that other parts of the city are famous for. However, barhoppers may enjoy Krush, a hidden gem located on the fourth floor of what appears to be a nondescript building. Inside, the sports bar's modern design features plenty of sleek finishes. The bar also houses numerous big-screen TVs, along with a dartboard and beer pong tables. Krush offers great happy hour deals and unique Korean-infused American dishes such as Kimchi fries and cheeseburger spring rolls.

For karaoke fans, Koreatown offers Chorus Karaoke, a bar lounge with private karaoke rooms, the largest of which can accommodate as many as 30 people. Patrons can sip on soju cocktails and enjoy the venue's futuristic interior design, which features polished metals, chrome and neon lights.

When it comes to getting around in Koreatown, some options are better than others. Subway and bus travel always offer the most efficient methods of getting around New York, while the ideal means of transit in the city, as always, involve traversing the neighborhood on foot or on bike.

The roads surrounding Koreatown typically experience traffic congestion, so traveling by car can add a lot of additional time to your journey. Access the highways by heading along city streets, out of the neighborhood toward the edges of Manhattan, where you will find 12th Avenue or FDR Drive. As with the rest of New York, you can always hail a taxi cab or schedule a ride with Uber.

Find limited free parking on the street, with a handful of parking spots and garages, such as the one at 29 West 33rd Street that can be booked in advance for $29 for the day. Catch a subway at 33rd Street to get you anywhere else in the city. You won’t find any designated bike paths, but that doesn’t make sidewalk and street riding impossible.

Koreatown only has one major park area, little more than a section of green grass with some sparse trees and seating. Named after famed New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley and located near the 33rd Street subway station, Greeley Square attracts locals looking for a place to enjoy lunch under the trees. The mostly paved area includes no dedicated spots for exercise or pet runs.

Due to its small boundaries, and high commercial visibility, Koreatown real estate values are high. The average rental cost is about $1,772 for a one-bedroom apartment, an estimated 50 percent higher than the national average. The average gas price in Koreatown will set you back about 25 to 30 percent more than the national average. A typical glass of beer in this neighborhood costs about $10.64, over the national average cost of $8.60.

Koreatown is home to a variety of small shops selling handmade goods and trinkets, in addition to large retailers like Uniqlo and Banana Republic. Koryo Bookstore sits on West 32nd Street and sells a variety of media. This store also offers popular bestsellers that have been translated into Korean.

Visit the Manhattan Mall on West 33rd Street to shop at some of your favorite chain stores, including JCPenney, Victoria's Secret and GameStop. Check out Furnish Green on Broadway if you love shopping for restored vintage furniture, unique antiques, retro lighting and other eye-catching items.

If you love hats, J.J. Hat Center on Fifth Ave between 31st and 32nd Street might become one of your favorite shops. Established in 1911, J.J. Hat Center is the oldest hat shop in New York City and has virtually any type of hat you can think of.

For your grocery needs, swing by H Mart, which sells imported Korean foods and ingredients. There are also many street vendors in Koreatown, and many of them take part in the annual Korean Parade and K-Town Festival.