The specialty shops of Korea Way — one block, stacked to the sky.
With the compliments of the concierge desk
The essay for this subject is being written at the concierge desk.
A block’s worth of shopping on 32nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues — groceries, K-pop, stationery, fashion, and services, most of it stacked within a few doors of each other.
Premium Korean groceries: fresh produce and meat, an instant noodle selection, Korean snacks and candies, kitchen tools and appliances, and banchan (prepared side dishes).
Imported Korean snacks, premium teas and beverages, specialty food items, and gift-ready packages.
K-pop albums and merchandise, official fan goods, Korean music magazines, posters and photo cards, light sticks and fan items.
The latest K-pop releases, collectible items, fan merchandise, Korean magazines, and stationery.
Cute stationery, Korean school supplies, character merchandise, gift items, seasonal decorations, and phone accessories.
Korean books and magazines, language learning materials, K-drama DVDs, study guides, cultural items, and stationery.
Korean fashion trends, accessories, handbags, costume jewelry, hair accessories, and seasonal items.
Korean fashion brands, trendy accessories, beauty products, lifestyle items, and seasonal collections.
Phone accessories, K-pop phone cases, screen protectors, mobile gadgets, and phone repair services.
Professional photos, passport photos, Korean-style photo shoots, print services, and photo accessories.
The block is busiest from noon to 2 PM with the lunch crowd, and weekends grow very crowded after 2 PM — weekday mornings are the best time to browse. Many stores accept foreign credit cards, some offer tax-free shopping for tourists, and most stay open late, until 10 or 11 PM, often with multilingual staff. Nearly everything is concentrated within one block, with an underground shopping arcade, multiple subway lines close by, and the Empire State Building a short walk away.