Exploring NYC's Koreatown: K-pop, K-beauty and karaoke

I knew next to nothing about K-pop, K-beauty or even how to do karaoke when I set out for a day trip to Koreatown. I left completely hooked.

By the time I boarded the train home, I was sipping strawberry boba, clutching a plushie and Googling Korean food, music and beauty trends like I’d just discovered a whole new world.

Between the music, the food and the energy, spending a day exploring K-Town turned out to be one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in New York.

Easy access from Long Island

Koreatown runs along West 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, right across from Penn Station. It’s an easy journey from Long Island on the Long Island Rail Road.

Everything is within a few blocks, so you can easily walk among shops, restaurants and karaoke spots without needing to plan ahead.

Fall into the world of K-pop at K-Pop Nara

Before this trip, my K-pop knowledge was limited to BTS and BLACKPINK. But walking into K-Pop Nara (1263 Broadway, shop.kpopnara.com) changed that instantly.

The walls are bursting with color, albums are stacked like art pieces and shelves are lined with key chains, stickers and plushies that could melt the heart of even the most casual fan.

The store was founded in 2022 by Lina Yi, who first opened a small K-pop shop inside her family's Michigan restaurant with her sister. "Fans kept coming in asking about albums," Yi said. "We built the store in two weeks, and it just took off."

Now with partners Rosa Oh and YK Lee, 34-year-old Yi has opened nine K-Pop Nara stores nationwide (with a 10th on the way in Orlando), including a newer, larger space in Manhattan at 1237 Broadway opening in January.

"Every two weeks there’s a concert, an album release or a fan event," Yi said. "NYC is such an important city for the K-pop community and we wanted to give fans a home base."

And it really feels that way. The excitement is contagious — there’s even an unboxing table where shoppers rip open new albums right in the store. "You’ll hear screams from people who get their favorite member in a photo card," Yi laughed.

Each album is a collectible art piece, with stickers, mini posters and key rings tucked inside. Le Sserafim’s album "Spaghetti" takes the concept literally, available in boxes and cups that look just like a real takeout of noodles.

Then there are the light sticks — colorful, Bluetooth-connected cheering devices that blink in sync with concert music when brought to the venue. "It unifies the fandom," Yi said. "You’re part of the show."

I couldn’t resist joining in — I left with a BTS plushie and found myself dancing to the songs blasting through the store speakers. Even as a total K-pop newbie, I felt the pull of the community and creativity that fuels it.

Get the K-beauty glow

If K-pop is the soundtrack of Koreatown, K-beauty is the glow.

Just down the block, I wandered into The Face Shop (25 W. 32nd St., thefaceshopny.com, 212-967-0515), where the walls are lined with sheet masks, toners and serums I’d only ever seen online in foreign currencies.

If you’re new to Korean skin care, start with a face mask or grab a bunch with their buy-10-get-five-free deal. The most popular is the Etude snail sheet mask ($2) and medicube pink collagen gel mask ($5). You can also ask the staff to build a simple routine; they’re pros at helping first-timers.

Fried chicken and karaoke at Turntable LP Bar

One thing you quickly learn in Koreatown is to always look up. Some of the best finds are tucked above street level, like Turntable LP Bar & Karaoke (34-36 W. 32nd St., turntable32.com, 212-594-4344), which offers 50% karaoke until 5 p.m. and happy hour specials until 6 p.m. every day. Take the elevator or stairs to the fifth floor, where owner Vic Lee has created the ultimate hangout: vinyl-lined walls, glowing beer towers and food that rivals the music for attention.

"Karaoke is a good feature to have with a restaurant," Lee said. "You can eat, drink and then have fun together in one place. What makes us unique is the quality of the food plus the karaoke experience."

He was right. The kimchi scallion pancake ($17) is a must-try, along with the viral fried potato twister ($13, or $10 during happy hour) and the soy garlic fried chicken (20 pieces for $35 or $30 during happy hour). Oh, and don’t forget the glowing, smoking beer tower that holds 8-9 pints ($68).

This was my first time doing karaoke, and I was nervous staring at the massive songbook. Lee reassured me the rooms were soundproof, so I took a deep breath and picked something classic: "Bye Bye Bye" by 'N Sync.

By the end, I was shaking it off, literally, to Taylor Swift. The nerves were gone. I felt like a pop star, snapping photos of the group packages to send my friends. If you visit before 5 p.m., karaoke costs $10 per person per hour instead of $20 in private rooms that can fit up to 20 people. "My next birthday party," I texted, already planning a return visit.

A sweet finish at Food Gallery 32

If you’ve still got energy (and room for dessert), walk a few doors down to Food Gallery 32 (11 W. 32nd St., foodgallery32nyc.com, 718-210-6577), a three-level food hall packed with Korean street food and quick bites.

I grabbed a strawberry milk boba tea with strawberry boba ($7) from Kung Fu Tea, sweet, refreshing and dangerously easy to sip, and couldn’t resist a red bean taiyaki ($5.25) from Mama Bunn, those adorable fish-shaped waffles filled with gooey red beans. I even threw in a pork bun ($5.25) for good measure.

The variety here is huge. You’ll find everything from Korean fried chicken and bibimbap to spicy beef stew and croissants. It’s the perfect last stop before hopping back on the train.