Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Camera in the Kitchen: Pinkberry
By
youngna park
Published Oct 6, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
youngna park
Published Oct 6, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In February 2005, the first Pinkberry opened on a quiet street in West Hollywood by 32-year old Korean entrepreneur Hyekyung (Shelly) Hwang. The frozen yogurt fiends came in droves, forced the LAPD to write 1,000 parking tickets because the store's neighbors couldn't find a place to put their cars amidst the visitors' SUVs, and now Hwang has signed more than thirty leases for yet-to-be-opened Pinkberry stores around the country.
Often hailed as "crackberry," the craze is for a chilly treat made of real frozen yogurt--slightly tangy, slightly salty, and ringing in at a mere 20 calories per ounce. The yogurt comes in two and only two flavors, plain and green tea, and assorted toppings from fresh fruit to cap'n crunch are available for 95-cents apiece.
New York's first Pinkberry opened last week so Gothamist decided to get in on the addiction and headed up to the storefront on 32nd Street, in the heart of Koreatown. A sleek green-and-blue striped facade opens up to a minimal, but design saavy interior decorated with Le Klint hanging lamps, Phillippe Starck chairs, and a few potted plants that look like welcome gifts from the Korean neighbors.
We ordered a plain yogurt topped with raspberries, which rang in at a wallet-busting $4.23 for a small. Slightly icy and distinctly sour, we liked the subtle sweetness and the fresh fruit mix-ins. The price, however, leaves a bit to be justified and like others chatting on the chowhound board, we are hoping the inconsistent serving sizes, stingy fruit portions, and suspiciously empty vibe are early bumps in the road that will clear up as New Yorkers discover the yogurt's drug-like reputation. New stores are also slated to open soon on the Upper East Side, Chelsea, and in Nolita.
Pinkberry is located at 7 W. 32nd Street (near 5th Avenue), 212-695-9631
Tagged
Chelsea
comments
design
east side
food
frozen yogurt
gothamist
hollywood
In February
koreatown
lapd
new york
new yorkers
parking
Pinkberry
Upper East
upper east side
west hollywood
youngna park
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Aug 20, 2026
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
Here are several borough-based bakeries where you can indulge in the delicious dessert.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
Here are several borough-based bakeries where you can indulge in the delicious dessert.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Gourmet pizza is all the rage in NYC. Are the towers of toppings worth the high price?
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .