Visiting Korean hair salon was the most exciting experience of my life during my travel to South Korea. I lived there for a straight 4 years. But when I moved back to New York City, what did I miss the most?
I never thought that Seoul’s hair salons would become a big part of my life, that I would miss them so much. What’s more frustrating is when I excitedly took a hairstyle picture and went to a random hairdresser in Manhattan. “Sorry! But I don’t want this.” These were my words after seeing the results.
It wasn’t bad, but it just lacked that soft, sculpted finesse you get after a proper Korean blowout. Such sad moments gave me a mission to find the best Korean hair salon in NYC. What I aimed to get was a look like I walked out of a K-drama (without flying 6,800 miles).
I’ve tested many and find some stunning, while others… meh. I have made a list of my personal favorite Korean hair salons in NYC.
You get a volume perm or a trendy bob because they have a stylist who understands face shape and the world’s best hairstyles.
Best Korean Hair Salon in NYC
Hair Philosophy NYC in Midtown Manhattan
First, I visited this Korean hair salon in NYC. Salon is fancy, and so is its vibe. It has a cool place and an educated staff. I asked for a soft layer cut and curtain bangs. They didn’t just fulfil my wish; instead, they first examined my face shape and even asked if I usually style my hair or not (I don’t… oops).
What I loved there:
- They speak fluent English and Korean.
- The stylists focus on super details.
- Prices are mid-range, but so worth it.
Would I go again? Absolutely. Especially when I’m feeling that pre-vacation glow-up urge.
Soonsiki Hair NY in Flushing, Queens
Soonsiki Hair has a big salon in Korea. Seeing their branch in Flushing made me so excited. The hopes were high, and they didn’t disappoint me.
I met a stylist there who actually moved from Seoul. I went in for a digital perm, and he asked me to show reference pics. “This won’t suit your face.” How honest he was when he told me that I picked the wrong thing according to my facial type.
Going there will be a good decision if
- You go during off-peak hours for more attention.
- You book online in advance. You know they are famous.
My curls held up for over 3 months with zero weird frizz days. That says a lot.
Leekaja Beauty Salon in Koreatown, Manhattan
This holds a special place among my favorite Korean hair salons. I visited their Seoul flagship, and seeing them in NYC brought a big smile to my face.
The price is a little bit high, but you get a whole luxurious Korean hair salon experience there. You will enjoy your complimentary tea while getting the best hairstyle with your stylist, who really knows Korean hair types.
I also brought my mom here for her birthday last year. We both got deep conditioning treatments and root touch-ups. She left saying, “I haven’t looked this fresh in 10 years.
You will enjoy Leekaja Beauty Salon, but
- Book in advance
- Must try their spa-style scalp treatment
HAIR 307 NYC in Midtown
It is not difficult to find, although it’s tucked between office buildings. You get a homey and warm feeling there. I usually go there when I need a quick, trustworthy trim without the fuss.
They have Korean stylists who are fluent in English. I pick them for routine maintenance cuts and bangs refreshes.
Bonus:
- Affordable pricing.
- Great for men’s cuts too.
Jenny House NYC in the Trial Location in Brooklyn
I wasn’t sure whether to put this on my list of best Korean hair salons because it’s technically a pop-up and not permanent (yet). Then, I decided to include it because of my stunning look they created for my friend’s engagement shoot.
The prices are high because the stylists are from South Korea and flew into Brooklyn for a two-week residency. Visiting it will be a worthy experience if you
- Want pure Korean celeb style hair
- Plan a big event or shoot.
Naru Hair Salon in Bayside, Queens
Few people know about this hidden gem. This salon is perfect for offering good perms and color. It’s not for flashy and trendy styles, but good at normal routine ones. My friend recommended this salon to me. The stylists really take their time, and my volume perm here was the best I’ve had in NYC. Just a few tips from my experience are
- Bring reference pics, they LOVE them.
- Pay in cash to enjoy a small discount
Miju Van Salon in Upper West Side
It’s a good name for those living in the Upper West Side, like me. You don’t need to travel downtown for just a Korean hairstyle. I have discovered Miju for you. It’s a Korean-run salon but has more of a NYC-meets-K-beauty flair.
I usually go here for color touch-ups. The salon’s staff is great at soft ash browns and natural balayage that doesn’t scream “dye job.”
What I like about them is
- They are kind and patient
- They use gentle Korean products that don’t fry your hair.
SV Hair Studio in Astoria
This salon is low-key but really friendly. The stylist gave me a free mini-treatment after noticing my dry ends. They also gave solid styling advice that I actually followed. You can go there if you
- You want a chill environment.
- You’re new to Korean-style cuts and want to ease in.
Hair Designer 25 in Manhattan (K-Town)
Not so famous on social media, but good at providing services. This salon has a loyal Korean client base. I came in not expecting much and left with the best soft shag cut I’ve ever had.
What’s best about it
- Super budget-friendly for Manhattan.
- The cut grows out beautifully.
Conclusion
Funding a good Korean hair salon in NYC seems difficult for a person who doesn’t know how to find gems. I have found some good names, and visiting them makes me understand that I enjoyed the Korean hair salon experience in NYC.
Have you visited any of them? Share your experience with me.