logo
The Manhattan Golden Mall Inches Closer to Opening

The Manhattan Golden Mall Inches Closer to Opening

Eater28-05-2025
The original location for Golden Mall debuted in 1990 and helped shape how New Yorkers eat Chinese food. It has been the launch pad for chains like Xi'an Famous Foods and the Dashan Restaurant Group, behind restaurants like acclaimed Szechuan Mountain House and CheLi. After a five-year, $2 million overhaul — an effort to keep pace with intense competition in a rapidly changing neighborhood — the Flushing location reopened in July 2023, hosting a mix of familiar names and modern newcomers.
Last summer, Eater reported that owners Robert Cheng and family would expand with a Manhattan location. After a year with little word other than Instagram posts seeking vendors, there is finally a targeted opening month for the new Golden Mall: It's now set to open in September at 47 Broadway, near Trinity Church in Fidi, according to Tribeca Citizen.
'The signs are up,' the blog reports. The location — which the New York Times reported as a seven-floor, 32,000-square-foot space — will feature 18 vendors on the ground floor and in the basement, including Asian specialty cuisines, fried chicken, bubble tea, and desserts. The upper floors will apparently feature retail and restaurants.
The ambitious Manhattan location joins French newcomer Printemps, with its destination restaurant from the acclaimed Gregory Gourdet, Maison Passerelle — alongside its cafe, bakery, and champagne bar housed in a luxe department store. The opening is helping to reshape the Financial District, a neighborhood decimated by COVID with its fleet of empty office buildings in a work-from-home culture. Lately, that's been changing, such as with the reshaping of the Seaport.
Nearby, there's Marcus Samuelsson's Metropolis near One World Trade, the 135-seat restaurant adjacent to the $500 million Perelman Performing Arts Center. A year earlier, the Tin Building from Jean-Georges Vongerichten in the Seaport opened in 2022 and has since been the focus of controversy as well as downsizing.
When Golden Mall opened, food icons like the late Anthony Bourdain and Jonathan Gold celebrated the food hall for its sheer number of homestyle offerings at affordable prices — a destination, at the time, unlike any other food court in New York.
Sign up for our newsletter.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Koreatown's Crispiest Donkatsu Hides in an Unassuming LA Strip Mall
Koreatown's Crispiest Donkatsu Hides in an Unassuming LA Strip Mall

Eater

time17 minutes ago

  • Eater

Koreatown's Crispiest Donkatsu Hides in an Unassuming LA Strip Mall

The scent of crispy, fried pork wafts through the dining room at My Donkatsu, a family-owned donkatsu shop in Koreatown. Handwritten messages cover the white walls in a myriad of colors, with previous diners praising the umami of the unagi katsu and the melted, gooey texture of the cheese katsu. Tucked away in an unassuming Koreatown strip mall on Olympic Boulevard, sandwiched between a dated travel agency and trinket shops, My Donkatsu makes some of the best tender, crispy donkatsu the neighborhood has to offer. Mr. and Mrs. Lim (who prefer to only use their surname) opened My Donkatsu in 2024. The couple met in their native South Korea when they were in their early 20s while both working at a five-star hotel in Seoul — Mr. Lim as a chef and Mrs. Lim as a server. 'The hotel was known for being very high-end and having strict standards, says Soli, the daughter of the Lims. 'My dad learned all of his cooking while working there.' Mrs. Lim had a long history in hospitality before opening My Donkatsu — her family owned restaurants in South Korea her whole life. The Lim family moved to America in 2005, but it took some time before they were ready to open their own restaurant. Cheese katsu. Wonho Frank Lee 'Restaurants are my dad's passion,' Soli says. 'My mom didn't work once we moved to America, but her energy is not the stay-at-home type. She wanted to do something with the family, and that's how it started.' The Lims began to brainstorm, searching for something that felt like it was missing from their Koreatown neighborhood. 'We had been thinking about a katsu place for a long time,' Soli says. Although there are plenty of well-known katsu shops in the neighborhood, like Wako Donkatsu, the Lims still felt like they didn't see the version of the dish they wanted to serve. 'There wasn't one in Koreatown that felt new and special, like a blend between Korean and Japanese-style katsu. We knew we wanted to do something different.' It took almost two years for the Lims to find a space; they didn't want anything too big, with a preference for a more casual, intimate setting. My Donkatsu currently offers five types of katsu: chicken, pork loin, pork belly, unagi, and cheese. Each order of katsu comes with salad, pickled cucumbers, seasoned greens, soup, rice, and two house-made dipping sauces. The chicken and pork loin are accompanied by a tangy brown sauce made with beef and vegetable gravy and an orange-hued spicy mayonnaise, while the unagi comes with a special eel sauce. The pork belly and cheese katsu are served with a salsa verde-inspired green sauce that has a mild kick to cut through the richness of the cheese and meat. 'The all-time most popular items are the classic pork and cheese katsu,' Soli says. 'The most popular katsu at the moment is the pork belly. When we first opened, it was the chicken. Some days, we fully sell out of the unagi.' My Donkatsu specializes in a blend of Korean and Japanese-style katsu. Japanese tonkatsu, rooted in French influence during the Meiji Period between 1868 and 1912, is traditionally prepared with a thicker cut of meat, coated in a thick layer of breadcrumbs; a soy-tinged dark brown sauce comes on the side for dipping. The dish is based on côtelette de veau, a breaded and fried piece of veal. Korean katsu, often spelled donkatsu, arrived in the country while it was under Japanese occupation in the 1930s. At first, it was seen as a luxury due to the high price of pork in the post-war era, but it slowly became more accessible to the general population in the 1970s. During the '80s, donkatsu exploded in popularity in South Korea, served Western-style with a fork and knife. In contrast to the Japanese tonkatsu, donkatsu is often pounded thinner and served slathered in sauce that is slightly sweeter than the Japanese version. At My Donkatsu, the two styles are fused. The chicken and pork katsu are cut thick, akin to the traditional Japanese style, but the sauce is a blend of both and has a consistency that can be used for dipping or poured on top. The Lims find little ways to distinguish their katsu from other shops in the area, such as a batter blend that includes fresh breadcrumbs to make the crust lighter and airier, while also adhering to the filling better. 'We looked into ways of minimizing that separation so every bite has the perfect ratio of meat to crust,' Soli says. The resulting breading is sturdy enough to stand up to the thicker cuts of meat, while still offering the sought-after craggly edges. My Donkatsu uses organic chicken breast for the chicken katsu, rather than the more commonly used chicken thighs. The Lims prefer the cut both for the texture and the assurance that the meat is hormone-free. Spread of dishes at My Donkatsu. Wonho Frank Lee The Lims also tested multiple brands of cheese before landing on the mozzarella and the technique they currently use for the cheese katsu. 'Our cheese katsu is not a typical cheese katsu — the kind that has a bit of mozzarella torched on top. Ours is wrapped with meat, so the cheese is kept inside without reducing the crunch of the crust,' Soli says. Mr. Lim sources the pork used at My Donkatsu himself, spending his mornings visiting different butchers in Koreatown to find the best cuts. Alongside the katsu, My Donkatsu also serves Korean comfort dishes like flame-torched bulgogi, udon, and bibimbap. 'Udon lovers consistently compliment our udon, stating that they can tell the flavor comes from the ingredients themselves, which is true,' Soli says. Exterior of My Donkatsu. Wonho Frank Lee Dining room at My Donkatsu. My Donkatsu only has a handful of tables to dine at and a smattering of banquet-hall-style chairs, but Soli says it's plenty of seating.'Customers eat really fast,' she says. 'Our average customer finishes in around 20 minutes.' With katsu, it's not only preferable to eat it while it's still piping hot — it's necessary in order to experience the golden, crispy crust. While the place might look deceptively empty due to the fast turnover, it quickly becomes clear just how busy they are with a passing glance at Mrs. Lim scurrying back and forth between the dining room and the kitchen as she prepares each plate and waits on tables. Although the entire family is involved with My Donkatsu, Soli credits her mom with being the heart of the business. 'My mom consistently puts in 12-hour days,' she says. 'She shows up at 9 a.m. to prepare everything and stays until 9:30 p.m. when she locks up for the night.' While the restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, Mrs. Lim can often be found there on Mondays, receiving deliveries and tidying up the space for the week ahead. 'She treats every customer like her daughter or son. It's a very Korean mom kind of place,' says Soli. My Donkatsu is located at 3003 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90006 and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Sunday. Bibimbap. Wonho Frank Lee Bulgogi. Shrimp veggie pancake. Wonho Frank Lee Tornado shrimp. Wonho Frank Lee Pork gyoza. Unagi katsu. Wonho Frank Lee Cheese katsu. Wonho Frank Lee Messages from diners on the wall. Wonho Frank Lee Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Making Wavez with 'Internship Girl'
Making Wavez with 'Internship Girl'

NBC News

time18 minutes ago

  • NBC News

Making Wavez with 'Internship Girl'

Avalon Fenster, founder, of 'Internship Girl,' joins Savannah Sellers for an installment of her Gen Z series, Making Wavez on Morning News Now. The digital community with several million views across Instagram and TikTok, offers free resources like resume templates, networking tips and early career encouragement. Fenster, who was recognized on this year's Forbes 30 under 30 list for her work, says she wants to help young women around the world win at 5, 2025

How Automotive Dealerships Can Successfully Leverage Instagram Reels in 2025
How Automotive Dealerships Can Successfully Leverage Instagram Reels in 2025

Time Business News

time36 minutes ago

  • Time Business News

How Automotive Dealerships Can Successfully Leverage Instagram Reels in 2025

In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive marketing, dealerships must constantly adapt their strategies to align with shifting consumer preferences. By 2025, short-form video content, particularly Instagram Reels, has emerged as one of the most influential platforms for reaching car buyers. Instagram Reels provides dealerships with a powerful, engaging tool to showcase vehicles, boost brand awareness, and drive customer interactions. This comprehensive guide explains why Instagram Reels is essential for automotive dealerships, outlines strategic approaches to creating impactful Reels, and provides actionable insights for dealerships to leverage this dynamic platform effectively. Instagram has become a dominant platform for automotive consumers, with over 2 billion active monthly users. Reels, Instagram's short-form video feature, captures users' attention quickly and effectively, offering dealerships powerful opportunities to: Increase Visibility and Reach: Instagram's algorithm heavily promotes Reels, significantly expanding dealership exposure. Instagram's algorithm heavily promotes Reels, significantly expanding dealership exposure. Boost Engagement: Short, entertaining video content naturally attracts more likes, comments, and shares than static posts. Short, entertaining video content naturally attracts more likes, comments, and shares than static posts. Enhance Vehicle Showcase: Reels vividly showcase vehicle features, design, and unique selling points through visually engaging content. Reels vividly showcase vehicle features, design, and unique selling points through visually engaging content. Connect with Younger Audiences: Instagram users skew younger, enabling dealerships to build long-term brand relationships with next-generation car buyers. To fully leverage the power of Instagram Reels, dealerships should focus on creating engaging, audience-focused content. Consider these strategic approaches: Showcase key vehicle features or technology in visually captivating ways, quickly demonstrating vehicle value to potential buyers. Example: A Reel highlighting advanced safety features, interactive infotainment systems, or innovative self-parking technologies. Short, immersive test-drive clips provide a taste of the vehicle experience, sparking consumer curiosity and excitement. Example: A 30-second Reel featuring dynamic driving sequences, showcasing smooth handling or off-road capabilities. Provide viewers with behind-the-scenes glimpses into dealership operations, inventory preparations, or customer service processes to humanise your dealership and build deeper connections. Example: Quick Reels showing friendly dealership staff preparing cars for delivery, vehicle inspections, or detailing processes. Short, enthusiastic customer clips sharing their experiences or reactions to vehicle purchases deliver powerful social proof. Example: Customers excitedly discussing their favourite vehicle features or expressing satisfaction immediately after a purchase. Participating in trending challenges or creatively adapting popular Reels trends engages wider audiences and boosts virality. Example: Joining trending hashtags or challenges with creative dealership twists, such as a humorous 'new car dance' challenge or an entertaining 'day in the life' Reel featuring sales staff. To ensure your dealership's Reels achieve maximum impact, adopt these best practices: The ideal length for Instagram Reels is typically between 15 and 60 seconds. Capture viewer attention immediately and clearly communicate your key message in the first few seconds. Use high-quality visuals, clear audio, and engaging content ideas to create visually appealing Reels. Creativity, humour, and authenticity resonate particularly well with Instagram audiences. Leveraging trending audio clips, popular hashtags, and challenges enhances discoverability, significantly broadening your dealership's audience reach. Always prompt viewers to take specific actions, such as visiting your website, booking test drives, or contacting your dealership. Maintain consistent branding across your Reels—visually and tonally—to reinforce dealership recognition and build a cohesive online presence. To maximise results, Instagram Reels should seamlessly integrate with broader dealership marketing efforts: Cross-Platform Promotion: Share your Reels on dealership websites, emails, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to amplify exposure. Share your Reels on dealership websites, emails, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to amplify exposure. Alignment with Campaigns: Synchronise Reels content with dealership promotions, new model launches, seasonal events, and targeted campaigns. Synchronise Reels content with dealership promotions, new model launches, seasonal events, and targeted campaigns. Analytical Integration: Regularly review Reels analytics, tracking views, engagement, website clicks, and conversions, adjusting your approach based on insights. Dealership marketing experts such as DealerSmart can support dealerships in effectively integrating Instagram Reels into comprehensive digital strategies, maximising marketing impact across channels. Continuously track key performance metrics to optimise your Instagram Reels strategy: Views and Impressions: Assess overall visibility and reach. Assess overall visibility and reach. Engagement Rates: Monitor likes, comments, shares, and saves, reflecting content resonance. Monitor likes, comments, shares, and saves, reflecting content resonance. Follower Growth: Track new followers gained directly through your Reels. Track new followers gained directly through your Reels. Conversion Rates: Measure dealership website traffic, test-drive bookings, and inquiries driven directly from Reels content. A mid-sized automotive dealership recently incorporated Instagram Reels into its marketing strategy, posting engaging vehicle showcases, humorous behind-the-scenes content, and customer testimonials. Within six months, the dealership experienced: A 45% increase in Instagram followers 50% more website traffic generated directly from Reels content generated directly from Reels content Improved engagement rates, with several Reels achieving viral status within their local community. This case demonstrates Instagram Reels' powerful potential to drive dealership visibility, engagement, and ultimately, sales performance. Research Trending Content: Regularly explore trending audio clips, hashtags, and creative ideas to inspire relevant dealership content. Regularly explore trending audio clips, hashtags, and creative ideas to inspire relevant dealership content. Create a Content Calendar: Develop a consistent Reels posting schedule aligned with dealership objectives and events. Develop a consistent Reels posting schedule aligned with dealership objectives and events. Invest in Basic Equipment: Ensure quality video production with accessible tools like smartphones, tripods, simple lighting, and microphones. Ensure quality video production with accessible tools like smartphones, tripods, simple lighting, and microphones. Train Your Team: Equip sales and marketing staff with essential Reels creation skills, empowering frequent, authentic video production. Equip sales and marketing staff with essential Reels creation skills, empowering frequent, authentic video production. Continuously Monitor and Refine: Regularly review analytics, audience feedback, and engagement metrics, refining your Reels approach continually for optimal performance. As we move further into 2025, Instagram Reels has emerged as a powerful marketing platform for automotive dealerships. By delivering concise, engaging, and visually impactful video content, dealerships can significantly enhance visibility, audience engagement, and customer conversions. Dealerships that proactively adopt Instagram Reels into their marketing strategies today will establish themselves as innovative, engaging brands, effectively capturing consumer attention, driving sales, and building lasting relationships in the increasingly digital automotive landscape. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store