AM Music

Photograph: Lawrence Ferber

Finance worker Keith lives in Harlem, but routinely visits Koreatown CD-DVD outpost AM Music (316 Fifth Ave at 32nd St, entrance on 32nd St; 212-643-8613) for a healthy dose of K-pop. “[They] always makes good recommendations—bands like Fly to the Sky, who sound like Korean R&B, and Roller Coaster, whose music is mellow but not too lounge,” he explains. The store also stocks a large, reasonably priced selection of Japanese music, and staffers are happy to play sample tracks to suss out customers’ taste.

When AM Music owner Cheng Kim’s stomach starts growling, he heads down the block to Won Jo (23 W 32nd St between Broadway and Fifth Ave; 212-695-5815, wonjo32.com) for authentic Korean barbecue. Open 24/7, the bi-level eatery is noted for both its generous assortment of seasonal banchan (side dishes)—savory potato salad and raw crab segments hit the spot—and the blazing white-oak charcoal used in the tables’ center grills. “Real fire—it’s very important,” Kim says assuredly.

After their shifts, Won Jo waiters are known to blow off steam at Players II (34 W 32nd St between Broadway and Fifth Ave, 212-594-4244), a glowing nightspot that’s home to a dozen noraebang (Korean karaoke) rooms with computerized song systems, and a full bar for those needing vocal lubrication and a splash of courage. “George Michael, [Korean pop star] Rain and the Beatles are always popular,” shares employee Eric Cho. “And do you know Radiohead? Radiohead is big.”

For more itineraries, go to timeoutny.com/subwaytours