K-pop stores, dance lessons, and cool Korean hangout spots your favorite idol would approve of.
Back in the ' 90 , the South Korean administration fix forth a plan : Establish the country ’s culture as an exportable goodness via strategical planning and prescribed policy .
Since then , from Korean solid food crazes ( Trader Joe ’s Kimbap fans , keep learn ) , green - dramas , and K - beauty , element of Korean culture can now be found peppered into many of our day-after-day life sentence . And there ’s perhaps no other category as prevalent as K - pappa .
What started as a euphony genre known for tricky pop set to captivating visuals and dances has shoot a boom subculture of its own , with everything from its ownslangand special moniker for loyal AF fandoms ( nevermess with the ARMY ) .
Soju and Korean barbecue at Jongro BBQ|Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Thrillist
Since diehard K - tonic devotee know bops from creative person like BLACKPINK , BTS , and New Jeans are just too well to dance to alone , flocking to fill places fill with fellow stans or flow at spots our favorite group members might love is an absolute must . From terpsichore parties , Korean barbeque , and where to bribe concert lightsticks , here ’s a K - soda water guide to NYC , along with some nerveless Korean places to hit up .
Kpop stores in NYC
Along with late music release , appurtenance , and fandom merch , thousand - soda stores are also cool spots to show off your fashionable paroxysm and run into fellow K - soda pop fans .
The Koreatown branch ofKPop Narain Manhattan is presently their only East Coast localisation , and its coloured entry is littered with personal promissory note from customer . Half a occlusion away , Koryo Booksis a pioneer that helped make Koreatown into the palmy hotspot it is today . Originally just a bookstall , the shopfront has evolved to adapt with the times over its decades of surgical process , and the shop class currently offer a wide choice of 1000 - pop products in plus to its book selection .
Farther uptown at Columbus Circle , Mandu Kpop Storeat the Turnstyle Underground Market has all the posters , medicine , and sticker you ’d ever ask , along with cool usance merch like thole that were specially produced in collaboration with craft artisan and not sold anywhere else . In Flushing , Queens , straits toBandi Books , another Korean bookstall that ’s flesh out its inventory to let in kelvin - popping goods .
KPop Nara|Photo credit: Tae Yoon
Korean food in NYC
Barbecue is often involve as the culinary jewel of Korean cuisine ( and what our talented idols are always deserving of ) . The ultimate name and address for this in New York City isJongro BBQ . This South Korean chain has locations in both Koreatown and Flushing , Queens . With all meats slaughter in - house , pair everything with soju shots within the restaurant ’s retro design aesthetic . And check out ourInsider Tips for How to Order and Eat Korean Barbecue .
For more Koreatown restaurant , bb.q Chickenoffers takeout boxes of must - try fry chicken;Food Gallery 32is a food hall with mountain of seating for budget - witting hangs;Emo Kim Bobis a staple for handmade kimbap rolls;Sundaes Bestserves non - dairy gelato in flavors like Banana Milk or Chocopie ; andHer Name is Hanis an all important drinking spot with an rarified food computer menu .
While Koreatown in Manhattan is known for its hustle shop , restaurant , and night life , the orbit is primarily commercial . When it total to the majority of New York City ’s Korean universe , they shack in Flushing and its surround Queens neighborhoods .
Soju and Korean barbecue at Jongro BBQ|Photo by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for Thrillist
preserve your jet - pop feeding and drinking tour in flush atGongGan , a extremely nerveless bakery with whimsical afters that also transforms intoBar GongGanat night;HanYang BunSik , a trap - in - the - wall eatery offer some of the near Korean food in New York City that ’s tucked away next to asupermarket ; andKimGaNaefor comfort foods like Kimbap and Kimchi Pizza Pork Cutlet .
For more Korean eats , Appas Pizzain the East Village specializes in Korean - manner pizza;ARIARI , also in the East Village , showcases the food and drinking culture of Korea ’s secondly largest urban center , Busan;Kimbap Labserves hand-crafted kimbap in Chelsea and Williamsburg ; andHana Makgeolliin Greenpoint produces makgeolli at their onsite facilities that can be enjoyed in their sample room .
Kpop karaoke, parties, and dance classes
When it come in to the hottest party for K - pop collision , head toBIAS NYC ’s dancing floor . A sweaty good time here includes fun remixes and puff performances , and the roving club merges NYC nightlife with your favorite prejudice while take to advance community within the world of K - pop fandom . The party is a designate safe blank for all and is presently tour Asia — be sure to check theirIGfor point on their next local event in January .
To see the in vogue dance moves , I Love Danceoffers classes across locations in Manhattan , Queens , and New Jersey . Along with larn choreography , take an in - studio apartment class could also make for youface - to - nerve with idols like Lunaor as abackground social dancer to Somiin Times Square .
While many fancy karaoke touch in Koreatown have occur and gone throughout the years , Gagopa Karaokeremains a classic . This is in part to them keep it simple with informal private room to scream sing your pet song while your friends demolish it on the tambourine .
BIAS NYC|Photo credit: Esther Lee, photo courtesy of BIAS NYC
