After getting out of the Court Square Subway Station (7, E, F and G) I walked right pass Teso Life. Had to go in and check out Teso Life. This store is larger than the one in Flushing on Roosevelt Avenue. Aisles were clear and so many items to view on the shelves. Nice selection of merchandise. Flagged a staff down for assistance and they were very helpful. Notice gift sets, snacks, health and beauty items. Prices were reasonable and within my budget. Good value here with lots of sale items. Look forward to coming back and spending more time here to shop. read more

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I came in just to buy a tea. The cashier was friendly and asked if I'd be paying cash or card. My total came to $2.99, so I said cash and handed over three dollars. They said "perfect," then asked if I wanted a receipt. I said no, but asked where my penny was. They didn't seem to hear me and handed me a receipt anyway, so I asked again about the penny. That's when they told me they don't give pennies back anymore because the penny has been retired. Part of me wanted to say something in the moment, but I decided it wasn't worth my energy, so I just took the receipt and left. But here's what actually stayed with me: the claim that the penny is "retired" is not a neutral fact about the world, it's a policy decision dressed up as an inevitability. I had two pennies sitting in my own wallet at that exact moment. The coin is not out of circulation. What's happened is that this business has unilaterally decided it will no longer circulate that value back to me, while still using it to calculate what I owe. The penny lives on the input side of the transaction and disappears on the output side. That asymmetry doesn't eliminate a cent of value, it just relocates it, quietly, from my pocket to theirs, one transaction at a time. That's the part that bothers me more than the cent itself. A single penny is nothing. But "nothing" multiplied across every cash customer, every day, indefinitely, is not nothing, it's a small, steady transfer of value made possible by asserting a currency is obsolete only when obsolescence is convenient for the business collecting it. This is the same structure as wage theft, just moved from the paycheck to the register. Wage theft rarely happens as one dramatic act, it happens as minutes shaved off a shift, breaks not paid out, overtime rounded down, each instance too small to fight over, each instance completely legal-sounding in the moment it's explained to you. The penny works the same way. No one is going to war over one cent. That's exactly why it works as a method, not because it's a big theft but because it's designed to be too small to ever be worth contesting, while still being collected reliably enough to add up on the business's side of the ledger. If you're going to accept cash, either make correct change or charge whole-dollar amounts. Don't call a coin obsolete only when it's time to hand it to me. And don't mistake my decision not to make a scene over one cent for the transaction actually being fair. It's exactly that reasoning, that no one individual instance is worth contesting, that's supposed to make this kind of taking invisible. read more

This location is fairly big and the shelves were well stocked with a lot of the items. I especially liked their Asian snacks aisles, from chips to candies there's a wide varieties of selections to choose from. This branch is very well lit and clean, they have one of the best stocked drinks fridge I've encountered from any Teso store. Overall, a good Teso branch read more

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Obsessed! Ramen, skincare products and kitchenware all in one spot. Sign me up! Love Teso Life because their prices as well. So reasonably priced so buying new things here I haven't tried makes me feel a little less guilty for not liking them. Also anytime I go it, the staff is super nice and ready to help you find things! read more

Teso Life - Department Stores Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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Convenient location for this mega convenience store. The types of products they carry feel very much in the vein of similar stores in Asia, not quite pure convenience, grocery, stationary, or department store, kinda a mix of all of the above. They carry mainly Asian products from Asia--housewares, health, beauty, snacks and drinks, food (mostly dried, canned or otherwise packaged), cute useless things--you name it, they probably have some iteration. Both J and K-beauty products are represented, though I think mostly the more common brands. A full aisle dedicated to each if these: face masks, facial lotion, body wash/shampoo/conditioner, chips. There's a refrigerated section for chilled drinks, sweet and savory snacks, some frozen foods too. I've been here twice, most recently to pick up a chilled gardenia ice tea on a walk afternoon $1.99 and a 3-pack of coffee jello $3.49. The cashier was friendly though our interaction brief. read more

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February 17th, 2026 Update: I purchased the vegetarian steak two days ago but didn't try it until last night and again this morning. Shortly after eating it, my stomach started feeling unwell. I recently had stomach surgery, so this is extremely concerning for me. The last thing I wanted during recovery was to deal with something like this. What makes it worse is that the product shows an expiration date of July 2025, yet it was still being sold. Please look for yourself -- the video and images speak for themselves. Given my recent surgery, I may have to return to the emergency room if my symptoms don't improve. This is not how I expected my recovery to go. read more

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I probably walked past Teso Japanese Department Store over 100 times, en route to work. The sun was shining extra brightly on the store's sign a few days ago, which made it look very appealing. I went inside not knowing exactly what to expect so I took a look around. Teso is aisle after aisle of beautifully, very neatly stacked cosmetic and beauty products, skincare items and snacks. All of the brands and packaging at Teso's is very colorful and eye catching. I browsed the shelves for hand cream and there were so many different types that I couldn't decide. I'll definitely be going back soon and not just for window shopping. read more

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Really cool and fun store. There was a lot of beauty products that I'm definitely going to pick up. It's just a basic department store. The prices are a little out of my price range but seem worth it. We really didn't get to speak with any staff because everyone was so busy. The store is super clean and organized. I couldn't really stand around and take photos. The isles are a little small so two pettie people can stand in them. The food section is really interesting I ended up buying some candy. I have no idea what the candy is but it's good. I wasn't allowed to go down the isle with the plush stuff animals or else I would have purchased the store. The look and feel of the inside is very very clean. I love the lighting in this store. The air freshener section is smelled the second you walk it. That was extremely welcoming. Damn I wish I purchased some noodles everything looked good. The pet section is really small that is why they lost a start. Also lost a start because one of the workers were following my husband and I. Not sure what that was about, kinda creepy. But I'm extremely happy to have this close by. I can see myself getting some awesome housewares here in the future. read more

Teso Life - Department Stores Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Great location in LIC, right by the subway. Cute store, lots of snacks, cute little toys, makeup. Love the assortment of chips as well. Definitely a must visit if you are strolling past the area. Items can be pricey but worth the experience. read more

This is a really brightly lit location filled with cute displays and claw machines filled with plushies. In the insurance, there's a great assortment on facial products, food, toys, collectibles, candy, and more. I came for a new Sonny Angel Hipper, but of course, they were already sold out. The assortment of goods was pretty good, even for the smaller location. read more

Great spot! It has a huge variety of snacks and beauty items as well as home goods and collectibles. I've purchased a lot of face masks and beauty products there and have been very happy! read more

Teso Life - Kit kats - Department Stores Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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Nice addition to the LIC area, located right by the 7 train (court square station). There is a large selection of Japanese candy and goodies as well as hair, cooking, home items. They just opened so there was a decent amount of people there but the store is pretty large as well. There were some sales as well (not sure if it just because it opened a couple days ago or if there are regular sales). I would come back to check it out and get snacks. Lots of different items to browse! We bought a bag of the green tea kitkats for $5.99; usually our friends would bring these back from Japan! read more

I live near Teso Life and it has honestly changed my skincare game. The face wash, moisturizers, chapsticks, cream lipsticks, and Japanese honey hair oils are so much better for my skin and hair care than western products. They have a large selection stocked with all of the popular Japanese brands and you can roam the aisles to look for your favorite one. The staff is very helpful and knowledgeable about where items are in the store, and gets the check out line moving quickly. Some items are a bit pricey and I don't know if I would spend $13 on Nivea chapstick again but the quality of all the products are very good. You won't be disappointed by the quality of anything! It's bright and the music is fun so it's an overall great experience. Not to mention the Japanese candy and snack selection are superb! read more

Teso Life - Face wash - Department Stores Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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Came here on Chinese new year and they were running a special where you pick a card off a wall for a discount. I watched one of the cashiers asking everyone if they wanted to pick a card, and then ask if they wanted to apply the discount to their purchase. When it was my turn, the other cashier rang me up and asked me to pay. He didn't offer me to pick a card off the wall, so I asked him. He said I could do it after I paid which I was confused about, but I did it anyway. I pulled a 15% off discount and I asked him to apply it and he told me that I have to use it on the next trip. I pointed out the guy next to him just did that with three customers in a row so he was about to give it to me but then the manager walked by and asked what was going on. So, I explained it to him and he asked the cashier next to me who said everyone had the coupons already. I explained again that I watched him offer to pick the card and apply to sales but the manager insisted that it must have been their second time shopping that day. It wasn't worth arguing about on Chinese New Years of all the days - just disappointing that it's how they treat loyal customers. read more

First time visiting this location. Comparing to the location in the city, I prefer this store. A lot of snacks, homegoods and beauty items. Came here to check out any Sanrio items and it did not disappoint! read more

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A fairly new Teso Life opened in LIC with a large variety of Japanese goods. I stopped in recently after visiting Trader Joe's & will definitely make the trip back since I missed the large beverage section. It's pretty convenient to get to since there's street parking as well as local trains that go to the area. read more

It was quite crowded. The store has almost everything from snacks, drinks, desserts, home/house supplies, to beauty products. The items are quite pricy but the quality is pretty good. There was a sale when I went but not sure if it's a regular sale or if it's because it's a newly opened store. I did score some nice sales though so I'm very happy. read more

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This is a very cute store and the customer service is amazing. They have a great array of snacks, stuffed Animals, beauty finds and coffee mugs. read more

This store is bursting with Japanese cosmetics and skin care. They have some aisles for kitchen utensils and dishes. They have Japanese snack-y stuff. Now, they have what seems like hundreds of brands of skin care, hair care and makeup but very little signage in ENGLISH. Product packaging is not in English either. When there is signage in English, the font is so small you need to get out your magnifying glass. SO annoying. Prices are also not always clearly displayed especially in the makeup area. There seems to be hundreds of different mascara type products but names, product explanation etc is not translated into English. I'd like to buy but I really need to know what I am buying. I dont want to get home and google it and find out I bought eyebrow serum. So, yes, it is a nice, bright, cheerful store. Very clean, neat and organized. Staff is helpful and will explain things to you but I really dont want to have to find someone to explain everything to me all the time. I want to know what I am buying. I dont want to buy something and find out I bought the wrong thing when I get home because I can't read what the product is. I dont want buying something to be such a struggle. read more

I passed by this store not having been to any of their other locations. After reading through other Yelp reviews, I decided to check it out. I'm not much of a snacker. I walked in thinking I wouldn't buy anything and I left with a backpack full of instant ramen (Tonkotsu flavor), green tea Kit Kats, peach-flavored popsicles, grapefruit soda, and chips. Like, WOW. Let me repeat- I don't like to snack. This place is dangerous. I'll never have to go to Japan if I want Japanese snacks because they literally have all of it here. They also sell home goods, stationary and pens, makeup, and other things cute and Japanese that you probably don't need at home (or so you think). This place will give you cravings that you didn't know you had. If you fancy steak-flavored lays, ramune soda hard candy, strawberry-lychee-flavored soft chews, etc. then come here! It's conveniently located at the Court Square train stop about a block from Trader Joes. read more

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Wanted to love this store and I do love that there is a Japanese and Korean skincare/cosmetics store in the neighborhood, but not excited about being followed around by the staff as though I am a thief. I spent at least $100 here a few days ago and I actually regret supporting this business although I enjoy the products I purchased. I'm not sure I would want to return as I was made to feel WAYYY TOO UNCOMFORTABLE. read more

I really am so happy that they opened the new one in this location, LIC. The store is always very busy and energetic and when I go there at night, I felt like I'm in Shinjuku, Tokyo! with the diversity of clientele they have. So many new Japanese cosmetics, food, snack and all the cute stuff fresh from Japan! Teso is my favorite store in NYC. read more