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After two decades in its former, comfortingly dismal Canal Street locale, Pearl River Mart—the yin and yang of Asian-import emporia—has settled nicely into its sparkling home on lower Broadway. This treasure trove of a department store is a bustling and yet surprisingly tranquil scene, with traditional Chinese folk Muzak and a cascading waterfall countering a bargain-hunting vibe. Pearl River carries nearly everything under the sun—from clothes, birdcages, grocery supplies, candy, imported papers, and a wild selection of lamps on the ground floor, to cookware, herbal remedies, live bamboo plants, slippers, windowshades, paper parasols, and crazy Kung-Fu banners in the basement. It's also the place to find less-expensive versions of trendy fare, like glittery slippers and stylish lacquer sushi sets. Plan to spend a bit of time here, since there's always something new to peruse; when you've maxed-out your tolerance for Far Eastern kitsch, head to the main level café for a restorative cup of exotic tea. — Sarah Walker

Grocery staples like sushi rice, nori, rice vinegar, and soy sauce are offered at bedrock-bargain prices, along with exotic candies and crystallized ginger.

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