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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

All content by Katie Liao
The letters in my NetID differ from the name I go by. Here’s why.

The letters in my NetID differ from the name I go by. Here’s why.

My birth name means more to me than my Westernized name, but I still chose the latter.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer December 3, 2024

During my first year, in an introductory computer science class with over a hundred students, my professor handed out exam papers by calling out names. As he tried his best to...

A T-shirt with a brown illustration of a table with a mug and banana on it. On the shirt, “GOOD THANKS” is written three times.

Rise and dine: where to find brunch bliss around NYU

Whether you’re out with the girls on a Sunday or trying to kill time before class, here are the six best brunch spots near campus to grab a satisfying bite to eat.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer September 19, 2024

If you have time before class, why not treat yourself to a cute brunch? It’s never a good idea to rush to class on an empty stomach, which is why I’ve compiled a list of the...

One of the dishes of the hassun, a aburi otoro with menegi wrapped in renkon. (Julia Smerling for WSN)

Unveiling Tsubame’s excellence through omakase

As graduation season arrives, the fine-dining omakase is an exquisite dinner fit for special occasions.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer May 2, 2024

Hidden away on Park Place in Tribeca, Tsubame is a calm and elegant retreat from the busyness of the New York City restaurant scene. With at most 10 guests per round of seating,...

A collection of different brands of sunscreen displayed.

The best and worst sunscreens for every occasion

From a self-proclaimed sunscreen addict, these are the glowy, nourishing sunscreens you need in your makeup bag — and the ones to avoid.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer April 25, 2024

Sunscreen should be a necessity in everyone’s bag, especially if you, like me, struggle with sensitive skin that peels easily after walking around the city on a sunny day. In...

(Julia Smerling for WSN)

A warm welcome to modern Asian fine dining with Hortus NYC

The Michelin-recognized Asian restaurant offers everything from sea urchins to bread pudding in its creative tasting menu.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer April 16, 2024

Nestled in the heart of NoMad, a two-story restaurant marked by its stylish logo “H” radiates a vibrant ambiance. Hortus NYC greets its customers at the ground floor with a...

A medium sized brown, orange and white dog sitting on concrete, being pet by a person wearing khaki pants and a black puffer.

Pups in the park

Washington Square Park may be at the center of NYU’s campus, but it is also the stomping grounds for many dog walkers and their adorable pets.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer April 3, 2024

You’ve heard it before: Washington Square Park is the heart of NYU. It’s where students go to picnic, read a book, people-watch, ponder their looming quarter-life crisis or...

A man pours hot water from a metallic kettle into a teapot on a wooden tray. Beside the teapot is a white, clay pitcher.

Té Company is your portal to authentic Taiwanese tea

The traditional tea room in the West Village gives customers a peek into the heart of Taiwanese tea culture beyond boba.
Katie Liao, Staff Writer February 6, 2024

“In the tea room it is left for each guest in imagination to complete the total effect in relation to himself.” — Okakura Kakuzo, The Book of Tea You’ve probably heard...

An illustration of a person sitting at a desk with their hands on their head. The desk cracks under the person's elbows which are leaning on the desk. Above "ADULTING… " is written in red.

For international students, NYU can feel like a running race

Becoming an adult at NYU as an international student can feel like a bind — the more we explore what our true interests are, the more pressure there is to get a job.
Katie Liao, Contributing Writer December 12, 2023

It happened in a dimly-lit cafe in Brooklyn. No more than 10 minutes into a consulting meeting for pre-law advice with a professor, I began oversharing my anxieties about the impending...

Two plates, a bowl, a glass container, and a mug on a wooden table. One plate has spaghetti, one has French toast, the bowl has Korean steamed eggs, the glass container has coke-braised pork, and the mug has a chocolate cupcake inside.

Microwave recipes for college students who can’t cook

The ultimate beginner’s guide to microwave meals for when your budget is starting to look like “we’ve got food at home.”
Katie Liao, Contributing Writer October 13, 2023

If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to survive with a kitchenette and some frozen tofu from your local dining hall without spending every last penny on DoorDash, you should...