K-Food Gallery: Manhattan’s First Korean Food Hall

From regional specialties in Atlanta to a spread of global proportions in Los Angeles, the US is no stranger to the food-hall phenomenon. In New York, a fresh concept seems to emerge at every turn. However, next summer will see a unique new player enter the scene.

According to Eater, Manhattan’s first food hall dedicated primarily to Korean cuisine, named K-Food Gallery, is set to open next summer. This innovative market will feature a variety of delicious offerings, including Korean fried chicken, barbecue, comfort food, and much more. Moreover, it will boast a US$6 million investment spread across 16 restaurants, including a third NYC branch of the popular Taiwanese boba chain Tiger Sugar, the first US outpost of the Korean sandwich chain Eggdrop, and an additional location for the always-busy Jongro BBQ.

The parent company, Group KFF, has invested significantly in the hall’s design and technology. Approximately half of the US$6 million budget will go towards creating an inviting ambiance and installing modern conveniences such as self-ordering kiosks and food delivery via smartphone GPS. Furthermore, the expansive 23,000-square-foot venue will be located in Midtown, positioned strategically on 40th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, at the northern edge of Manhattan’s Koreatown.

This particular location was deliberately chosen, as Group KFF president Choi Kyung Rim shared with Eater, with a vision to extend the boundaries of Koreatown further west toward Times Square and beyond. Moreover, with ambitions for additional locations in New York and across other major cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, Honolulu, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, D.C., and Boston, it is evident that the company is looking to make a significant impact in the culinary landscape.