This Massive International Market In New York Will Take You On A Trip Around The World In 2026
I walked in for “a quick look” and somehow ended up staying for hours. This place is huge, buzzing, and packed with flavors you didn’t even know you were craving.
One minute you’re grabbing fresh pastries, the next you’re staring at spices and snacks you’ve only seen online. New York just turned grocery shopping into a world tour, and 2026 is the perfect year to go.
Every aisle feels like a different country. The smells change. The music shifts. You start filling your basket with things you can’t pronounce but absolutely need to try. It’s fun, a little overwhelming in the best way, and impossible to rush.
This massive international market in New York isn’t just about shopping. It’s about tasting something new, discovering favorites you didn’t expect, and leaving with way more bags than you planned. Consider this your warning.
Why This Place Will Blow Your Mind
Okay, so picture this: you walk into what looks like a regular mall, and suddenly you’re transported into the most chaotic, delicious, overwhelming food adventure of your life. We’re talking about a place where the menu signs are mostly in Chinese, the smells hit you like a flavor freight train, and absolutely nobody is trying to impress tourists with watered-down versions of anything.
This isn’t some fancy fusion restaurant where everything costs your entire allowance. Nope, this is the real deal, where actual Chinese families are lining up for dumplings at noon on a Tuesday.
The food court alone has dozens of vendors crammed into one massive space, each one specializing in something different from various regions across China and other Asian countries.
You’ll see grandmas arguing about which stall has the best noodles. You’ll watch cooks hand-pulling dough right in front of you.
You’ll probably get a little lost trying to figure out how to order, and honestly, that confusion is part of the charm.
The chaos feels authentic because it is authentic. This place doesn’t slow down or simplify itself for anyone, and that’s exactly why people keep coming back.
Quick Snapshot
Name: New World Mall
Type: Indoor Asian shopping complex with bi-level food court and retail stores
Setting: Bustling indoor environment filled with authentic Asian vendors, markets, and dining options
Location: 136-20 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354
Arrival: Open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, accessible by subway (7 train to Flushing-Main Street) or car with on-site parking garage
Portions: Food court vendors serve generous, filling portions at unbeatable prices, perfect for sharing or satisfying big appetites
Finding Your Way To Roosevelt Avenue
New World Mall sits at 136-20 Roosevelt Ave in Flushing, right in the heart of one of New York’s most vibrant Asian communities. Getting there is pretty straightforward if you take the 7 train to the Flushing-Main Street station, then walk about five minutes through streets packed with bubble tea shops and Asian bakeries.
If you’re driving, there’s a parking garage attached to the building, though fair warning, it’s tight and kind of intense. The ceilings are low, the turns are sharp, and you’ll definitely want to be careful if you’re in an SUV.
Many visitors recommend coming earlier in the day to snag a spot before the lunch rush hits.
Once you’re inside, the layout can feel a bit confusing at first. The supermarket, J Mart, takes up a huge section with aisles of Asian groceries, fresh produce, and items you won’t find at your regular store.
The food court is downstairs, and it’s massive, with vendor stalls lining the perimeter and shared seating filling the center.
Bring cash, seriously. Most vendors prefer it, and some only accept cards for purchases over ten dollars.
Cell service can be spotty inside, so don’t count on mobile payment apps working smoothly.
The Food Court That Never Stops
Quick Verdict: This is one of the best places in the entire United States to experience regional Chinese cuisine without leaving the country.
Walking into the food court feels like stepping into a culinary free-for-all. There are vendors from different provinces across China, each bringing their own regional specialties.
You’ve got Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles being stretched and twirled right before your eyes. You’ve got Sichuan dry hot pot with enough spice to make your forehead sweat.
You’ve got Taiwanese popcorn chicken, Vietnamese pho, Thai stir-fries, and Uyghur lamb skewers all competing for your attention.
The stalls are numbered rather than named, which adds to the adventure. You kind of have to point at what looks good or ask the person next to you what they’re eating.
Most menus have some English, but plenty are primarily in Chinese, so don’t be shy about asking questions or just ordering based on pictures.
Everything is made to order, so expect to wait ten to fifteen minutes once you place your order. The seating is communal, meaning you’ll probably share a table with strangers, which somehow makes the whole experience feel even more authentic and community-driven.
Pro Tip: Start with the soup dumplings from the vendor with the longest line. Long lines in places like this are never a coincidence.
Dumplings Worth The Wait
If there’s one thing you absolutely cannot skip here, it’s the dumplings. Several vendors specialize in them, but the pan-fried pork soup buns have developed an almost cult-like following.
These aren’t your average dumplings. They’re piping hot, bursting with rich broth, and dangerously addictive.
One reviewer described biting into one and being overwhelmed by the amount of juicy goodness inside. Another mentioned sweating through a summer heat wave in the poorly air-conditioned food court but still considering it totally worth it.
That’s the kind of dedication these dumplings inspire.
You’ll recognize the right stall by the line snaking away from it. Yes, you’ll wait, but once you taste that first dumpling and the broth floods your mouth, you’ll understand why people keep coming back.
The wrappers are delicate but strong enough to hold all that soup without breaking.
Some vendors sell dumplings individually, so you can try a few different types without committing to a full order. Pork is the classic, but you’ll also find chicken, lamb, and vegetable options.
Pair them with a little vinegar and chili oil, and you’ve got yourself a perfect meal.
J Mart Grocery Adventure
J Mart is the supermarket inside New World Mall, and it’s not your typical grocery store. Walking through feels like exploring an international market where half the products have labels you can’t read and the other half are things you didn’t know existed.
The produce section alone is worth a visit, with fresh vegetables, exotic fruits, and ingredients you’d struggle to find anywhere else in the city.
The aisles are packed with imported snacks, sauces, noodles, teas, and frozen foods from across Asia. You’ll find entire sections dedicated to different countries, from Japanese mochi and Korean kimchi to Thai curry pastes and Filipino sweets.
Prices are reasonable, especially compared to specialty stores in Manhattan, and the selection is genuinely impressive.
The store stays busy pretty much all day, with families stocking up on weekly groceries and food enthusiasts hunting for specific ingredients. It can feel a bit hectic, but the chaos is part of the charm.
If you spend over fifty dollars, you can get your parking validated for up to two hours, which is a nice bonus.
Bring your own reusable bags or be prepared to buy some at checkout. They don’t hand out free plastic bags here, which is better for the environment anyway.
Noodles Pulled By Hand
One of the longest-running vendors in the food court is the Lanzhou hand-pulled noodle shop, and watching them work is almost as satisfying as eating the final product. The process is mesmerizing.
A cook takes a lump of dough, stretches it, folds it, stretches it again, and within seconds, you’re watching perfectly uniform noodles being pulled right before your eyes.
Lanzhou noodles come in a rich, beefy broth that’s been simmered for hours. The noodles themselves have this incredible chewy texture that you just don’t get from dried or machine-made versions.
You can customize your bowl with different levels of spice, extra meat, or additional vegetables.
This isn’t a quick grab-and-go situation. Each bowl is made fresh, so you’ll wait a bit, but that’s part of the experience.
You get to watch the entire process unfold, which makes the meal feel even more special.
The shop has been there for over a decade, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality. In a place where vendors come and go, staying power like that means they’re doing something right.
Regulars swear by it, and first-timers leave planning their next visit.
Heat Lovers Find Heaven Here
Who This Is For: Anyone who thinks mild salsa is boring and believes that food should make you feel alive.
Who This Is Not For: People who think black pepper is spicy.
The Sichuan dry hot pot vendor has been serving up fiery dishes for years, and they’re not messing around with the heat level. Dry hot pot is different from the soup-based version.
Instead of broth, you get a mix of vegetables, proteins, and noodles all tossed together with an obscene amount of chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and spices.
The result is a dish that’s intensely flavorful, numbingly spicy, and absolutely addictive. Your lips will tingle, your forehead will sweat, and you’ll keep going back for more because it’s just that good.
You can choose your protein, pick your spice level (though even the mild version has some kick), and customize your bowl with different add-ins.
The portions are huge and incredibly cheap compared to what you’d pay for similar dishes elsewhere. Many people come here specifically for this vendor, sometimes ordering takeout to bring home because they can’t get enough.
If you love spicy food and want to test your limits, this is your spot.
Shopping Beyond The Food
While the food court is the main attraction, New World Mall also has retail shops spread across the upper floors. You’ll find stores selling Korean skincare and cosmetics, Chinese herbal medicines, jewelry, clothing, and various accessories.
It’s not a massive shopping destination, but if you’re into Asian beauty products or looking for something unique, it’s worth a quick browse.
The skincare shops carry brands that are hard to find in regular American stores, often at better prices than you’d pay online. Staff members are usually happy to explain products and make recommendations based on your skin type.
You can also find cute stationery, phone accessories, and small gifts that make for fun souvenirs.
There’s also a karaoke lounge somewhere in the mix, though it’s not as heavily advertised as the food court. If you’re into that kind of thing, it’s a fun way to cap off your visit, belting out songs with friends in a private room.
Overall, the shopping isn’t the reason most people come here, but it’s a nice bonus. You can easily kill an hour or two wandering around, especially if you’re into beauty products or just enjoy browsing international goods.
Planning Your Visit Right
Best Strategy: Come during off-peak hours (weekday afternoons) to avoid the worst crowds, or embrace the chaos and visit during lunch or dinner when the energy is highest.
Common Mistakes To Avoid:
• Showing up without cash and expecting every vendor to take cards
• Trying to navigate the parking garage in a huge vehicle during peak hours
• Ordering from just one vendor when you could be sampling multiple stalls
• Forgetting reusable bags if you plan to shop at J Mart
Insider Tip: Ask locals or people in line what they’re ordering. New Yorkers are surprisingly helpful when it comes to food recommendations, and you’ll discover dishes you might have otherwise missed.
The mall is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, giving you plenty of flexibility. Weekends get absolutely packed, especially during lunch and dinner rushes, so be prepared for crowds and limited seating.
If you’re driving, arriving early makes parking much easier. If you’re taking the subway, the walk from the station is short and takes you through some interesting streets worth exploring.
Plan to spend at least two to three hours if you really want to experience everything. Between browsing J Mart, eating at multiple food court vendors, and maybe checking out the shops upstairs, time flies faster than you’d expect.
Final Verdict
Key Takeaways:
• New World Mall offers one of the most authentic Asian food experiences in New York City, with vendors representing multiple countries and regions
• The food court is the main attraction, featuring everything from hand-pulled noodles to soup dumplings to spicy Sichuan dishes
• Prices are incredibly reasonable, with generous portions that won’t break your budget
• The atmosphere is chaotic, crowded, and completely authentic, not polished for tourists
• Cash is king here, so hit an ATM before you arrive
• J Mart supermarket offers an impressive selection of Asian groceries and ingredients
• Parking can be challenging, especially during peak hours, so consider public transportation
• This isn’t a fancy, Instagram-perfect destination, it’s a real community hub where locals shop and eat daily
New World Mall isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It’s loud, crowded, sometimes confusing, and absolutely worth visiting.
In 2026, while the world comes to New York for major events, this place will still be serving up some of the best and most affordable Asian food in the city. Skip the overpriced tourist traps and come here instead.
Your taste buds will thank you.