Koreatown offers something offbeat
Print Edition
New York City is a 24/7 kind of place. That makes it easy for business travelers to squeeze a little sightseeing in after a day of meetings. Take in a Broadway show and late dinner, or a nighttime view from Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building or Times Square.
But for something a little offbeat, or a fun outing with colleagues, consider an evening on Manhattan’s Korea Way, also known as Koreatown or K-town, just steps from the Herald Square shopping district and Macy’s on 34th Street. The main drag, 32nd Street between Fifth and Broadway, is lined with Korean restaurants and karaoke bars. And while it might sound intimidating to make your own Korean barbecue or belt out “Livin’ on a Prayer” with officemates, both experiences are fun and easier than you might imagine.
First, the food. The neighborhood’s Korean fried chicken places are cheap and yummy. Bonchon Chicken, around the corner from 32nd Street on Fifth Avenue, offers soy garlic or spicy wings, strips and drumsticks starting at US$9 for six pieces. Another fried chicken foodie fave on Fifth Avenue is Kyochon.
For more upscale dining, head to Gaonnuri, which offers stunning views of Manhattan from a penthouse near 32nd and Broadway. The middle of the Empire State Building is practically in your face, and it’s magical to see the lights of Times Square begin to glow as darkness falls. The restaurant’s well-known guests have included Jack Ma, the China-based founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba.
Don’t miss the table barbecue, which you can order with beef, duck, pork, chicken or shrimp, US$28-US$45. Resist the temptation to ask your server to cook the meat for you. If you’ve ever fried anything at home or on a grill, you’re more than capable of handling this.
Gaonnuri’s bar menu has small plates and the cocktail menu includes creations like ginger poire (Grey Goose, St Germain, fresh ginger and lime juice) and The Oriental, made with soju, the classic Korean liquor strong enough to knock your socks off. Appetizers start around US$8, with a share platter for three at US$44. Bibimbap — rice mixed with vegetables and/or meat or fish — is US$12 or US$20.
Karaoke options on the block include 5 Bar Karaoke Lounge a few doors down from Gaonnuri. Private rooms at 5 Bar include a bell for summoning another round of Cosmos.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
